New to ducks....breed suggestions

[Ximena]

Hi everyone. So, as the title suggests I am interested in getting some ducks and need some suggestions on breeds.

I've kept chickens from several years and am looking on introducing 2-3 ducks to the flock. I live the city so I would like a breed that bears confinement relatively well and smaller is generally better. I'm looking from something really calm and friendly. Eggs are important too, but second to personality.

Here are the breeds I've looked at:

Pekin - It seems pretty unanimous that these guys are super friendly/docile. I just wish they were a bit smaller.
Black/Blue Swedish - Also seem pretty friendly but I read somewhere that they don't bear confinement well
Welsh Harlequin - I really like this breed (docile, good size, etc) but they are hard to find. Every hatchery seems to be sold out. I don't know if it is worth it to wait around till I find some.
Call - I really like how small these guys are (and they're super cute!) but they are also hard to find. I heard these guys are loud. I'm not generally bothered by a bit of noise (neither are my neighbors) but there is a limit. Once upon a time I had guineas and that was too much. How does the noise level of call ducks compare to guineas?

What do you guys think? I am also open to other breeds if you guys have suggestions.

 

[Weeg]

I love Swedish blues! They are so pretty and fun! I like Pekin too, but if you want something smaller, try a buff! There just like Pekin bu yellow rather then brown, prettier from my perspective! Now maybe instead of waiting for a Welsh harlequin, you could get a mallard! They are sosooooomuch fun! They love to fly and swim, so make sure you have room for both of these activities. They are also small, and are fantastic broody's! Ps. Mallards can lay blue and green eggs too! I have never owned a call, but have heard plenty of good things about them! Now my favorite breed of all time, White crested! Hey are exactly like a Pekin but they have plumes on there heads! The only down side is the plumes ae attached to a fatty lump in there skull, so should only be owned if you don't have a drake, because the drake may pull on the plume and hurt them badly. I've heard they are also more prone to sejuirs, and other issues, but I still LOVE them! I hope you found hats helpful! Avery

 

[LittleBigBantam]

I say either runner or cayuga ducks! Quiet, sweet, beautiful, and wonderful layers

 

[LittleFalcon]

I personally had a blue Swedish and he was the sweetest. I gave him to my friend who has a welsh harlequin and she is going to give me one of their babies so i can have a cross. I would personally recommend both of those breeds and having a Cayuga along would be fun too. I heard they are sweethearts

 

[cheezenkwackers]

What is your main reason for getting ducks? I only ask because different breeds are better for different purposes. I mostly have Khaki Campbell’s because I wanted eggs and garden pest control.
Also, when you say, “confinement” what do you mean? I live in a neighborhood and have six ducks. They spend the night penned in a run but spend the day in a large garden. Ducks really need room to move and water to swim in and make mud with. A baby pool is fine but if it is in a small run, say a 8 ft square, the whole run will quickly be a stinky, muddy mess and you will be frustrated.