New to ducks

[Tongiechick]

Ok so i live in a small town and can only have 15 bird. i would like to get a duck or two and would like to know some good un-bias basics.

I have some questions and would love it if you would give me a little help.



1. I would like a hen that lays pretty good, is friendly, can be shown and can live with chickens in a run.

2. Is there anything that you would suggest

3. I have heard that ducks can be challenging but i already keep chickens is there a lot of difference i should know about

4. my friend says she just lets the ducks eat the layer feed with the hens. Is this ok for my birds?

5. If i get ducklings how soon can i expect eggs?

if there is anything else that i should know please let me know.


Thanks so much for all the help Backyardchickens.com love this site so much.

~Tongiechick

 

[Amiga]

Hi!

Have you read the stickies at the top of the forum? Loads of good information there. I don't keep chickens (had a RIR when I was 5), but have 9 runners and 4 buffs. There are some differences, especially with water. Ducks have a special relationship to water, and that can offend chickens.

Smaller breeds start laying earlier, generally speaking. My runners started between 16 and 22 weeks.

Layer feed seems to be fine for ducks.

Somehow, sometimes predators seem more interested in ducks, which (muscovies are the exception) are ground-nesters, and just more susceptible to predation. So increase the security of the pen and coop.

 

[Sami's Mommy]

Get more then one or they will literally become like a baby to you, they can't be alone much at all. Two is fine

 

[Tongiechick]

thank you both i will remember those things