new to ducks: want welsh harlequins. advice on noise?

[cisca-n-max]

Hello all,
We have been keeping chickens for a while in a very quiet neighborhood (currently have eight),
And we have recently decided that we want to keep ducks as well so that we can breed them and keep both males and females. There is a law against having roosters. The plan is to breed them and slaughter a few every once in a while. I am really stuck on getting Welsh harlequins, but I have heard people say very different things about how loud they are. If I hatch them myself will they be less frightened by their environment? I read that they really like having a set schedule... but will they really freak out all night if they hear something? I have heard about cayugas being really quiet but I am really set on the harlequins. I have a small pond for them and plan on building another one so we are all set to care for them.... I just don't want to upset any neighbors with the noise. Any advice?

 

[Jay262]

If you want a quiet duck id say go with Indian runner ducks they are very very quiet from my experinces with them anyhow. I have some out back and i never hear them and my neibour accross the street has mallard who are never quiet.

 

[GrannyCarol]

Happy ducks are usually quiet. Mine will ALL speak up at dinner time, silly things. They greet me when I talk to them too. Mostly they aren't too loud - fortunately my neighbors all love them and say they like to hear them! I think if you arrange pretty much free choice feed and comfortable surrounding, they shouldn't be too bad. At least the males are very quiet.

I don't think they are noisier than chickens, but then I don't have any chickens to compare them to!

 

[Goose and Fig]

WH are not very loud. Mine answer when I call my geese, and every once in a while I can hear the girls whhhaaa whhhaaa whhhaaaaing about something, but its more of a low, deep noise than anything that would irritate somebody. Get some! Just make sure you can lock them up at night and they'll be fine.

 

[jdywntr]

I must disagree about runners. Mine were quite loud at times. How much they talk is individual in my opinion. I had one runner hen who rarely made a sound and another that was VERY loud.


Welshies are not that big, you said you were wanting some for slaughter and welshies only weigh 4.5-5.5 pounds so that is not going to be a very large dressed bird.

If you hatch them yourself they will be less frightened of you (most likely) not necessarily their environment.

Are you allowed to have ducks? If so, I wouldn't worry to much other than to stay away from the very chatty breeds so that you don't overly bother the neighbors. If ducks are not allowed and you go through with it, it is kind of a crap shoot.

For a quiet, multipurpose breed I vote for muscovy. Extra quiet and very big.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
X2 AND....

 

[Wulfandwyn]

Muscovies are very quiet and come in many pretty colors but I have to say the welshies look very pretty. I don't have any welshies so I can't speak on their noise level.

 

[Rosebud 18]

My welshies are very quite. I can barely hear them when they do decide to say something. My runners are so loud but I love them anyway. They both are very good layers though and small ducks.

 

[Jay262]

Muscovies thinking about the ones i have had in the past are very are the quietest since they dont quack they just hiss. Also my runners are actually crossed with mallards not sure if thats whats making the difference but i actually have to go check sometimes to make sure there still there there so quiet.

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

My welsh harlequins arent loud at all! they quack in the morning for their veggies and scratch! And they are beautiful! Theu are my favorite breed and highly recomend them!