Pet Duck Breed?

[backyardflock1]

Okay do you want eggs? get 2 females if your getting ducklings they will bond to you. If you don't care about eggs or ducklings then get 2 drakes[ducklings] . You can also get drake and duck and just take any eggs when laid then you won't have to worry about ducklings and alot of breeds [females] don't go broody anyway. You've been on their website which breeds appeal to you? Other than Muscovy and that's the only breed I have, I like Runners, Buffs, Anconas, Breeds like Khaki Campbell are great egg layers so are Pekin, Your going to have to make the final decision, if Me I would do 2 females only because you'll have less worry over a drake getting out of hand when sexually mature and you'll get eggs. But maybe you should consider 3 that way if something happened during transit or after they arrive there would still be 2. and 1 more wouldn't take up much more room. Think about it and let us know what you decide.

I would like eggs because I hear duck eggs taste great! I might just get two females, or maybe one female and one drake. I don't know the decider on which combination I will pick, I just want to do as much research as possible before ordering. Thanks

 

[needlessjunk]

I would like eggs because I hear duck eggs taste great! I might just get two females, or maybe one female and one drake. I don't know the decider on which combination I will pick, I just want to do as much research as possible before ordering. Thanks

It is practically the same price for 2 ducks as 3 or 4 if ordering from Metzer. Are you looking to order now? I just placed an order with them and its starting to get slim pickings for the rest of the year. You can't order 2015 ducklings till Jan 1st. I have 2 peakin drakes right now and got them at 2 weeks. They are very friendly and will eat out of our hands. They hate to be picked up and one is very talkative. It's really funny because one will attempt to fly and the other just sits there and gives him pointers. Mine are not sexually mature but we haven't had any issues yet. I really like my pekins but to me they are kinda plain and large. I like variety and eggs. Welsh harlequins are suppose to be super friendly and good layers. I'll let you know next year if that's the case.

 

[backyardflock1]

It is practically the same price for 2 ducks as 3 or 4 if ordering from Metzer. Are you looking to order now? I just placed an order with them and its starting to get slim pickings for the rest of the year. You can't order 2015 ducklings till Jan 1st. I have 2 peakin drakes right now and got them at 2 weeks. They are very friendly and will eat out of our hands. They hate to be picked up and one is very talkative. It's really funny because one will attempt to fly and the other just sits there and gives him pointers. Mine are not sexually mature but we haven't had any issues yet. I really like my pekins but to me they are kinda plain and large. I like variety and eggs. Welsh harlequins are suppose to be super friendly and good layers. I'll let you know next year if that's the case.

Would you recommend drakes or females, or one drake and one female? I'm ready to order, just need to choose the fine details (gender). I just don't know if I get a drake and female if they'll just hang out with each other and won't be as human friendly.

 

[needlessjunk]

Would you recommend drakes or females, or one drake and one female? I'm ready to order, just need to choose the fine details (gender). I just don't know if I get a drake and female if they'll just hang out with each other and won't be as human friendly. 

If you want eggs you need a female. If ordering a drake you would be better off ordering more than one female. So do you want just 2 ducks? I think it just depends on the duck who is friendlier. I have no experience outside of my 2 males pekins. What breed are you going with?

 

[backyardflock1]

If you want eggs you need a female. If ordering a drake you would be better off ordering more than one female. So do you want just 2 ducks? I think it just depends on the duck who is friendlier. I have no experience outside of my 2 males pekins. What breed are you going with?

Yes I would like just two friendly pet ducks. I think I'm going with pekin or potentially welsh harlequin. Pekins are widely available at metzer right now. I just don't know if I should get two drakes or two females. Are either gender known to be friendlier in general?

 

[needlessjunk]

Yes I would like just two friendly pet ducks. I think I'm going with pekin or potentially welsh harlequin. Pekins are widely available at metzer right now. I just don't know if I should get two drakes or two females. Are either gender known to be friendlier in general?

I think you will be fine with either. I know that isn't a definitive answer but if you are looking for a strictly pet maybe consider calls. Lots of people keep them as house ducks. Sorry didn't mean to add more options are any other factors important? If you want eggs then females, want quiet go with male. I have noticed that one of my ducks was predisposed to being friendlier than the other. Still has held true so I wouldn't be surprised if one does end up friendlier than the other. I don't have a whole lot of experience though but that is just my 2 cents.

 

[backyardflock1]

I think you will be fine with either. I know that isn't a definitive answer but if you are looking for a strictly pet maybe consider calls. Lots of people keep them as house ducks. Sorry didn't mean to add more options

are any other factors important? If you want eggs then females, want quiet go with male. I have noticed that one of my ducks was predisposed to being friendlier than the other. Still has held true so I wouldn't be surprised if one does end up friendlier than the other. I don't have a whole lot of experience though but that is just my 2 cents.

I gtg, but are call ducks sold by metzer? The thing is, I would like eggs AND quietness. That's why a female and drake would be good, but I feel like they'd become less people friendly. I'll check back in the morning.

 

[needlessjunk]

I gtg, but are call ducks sold by metzer? The thing is, I would like eggs AND quietness. That's why a female and drake would be good, but I feel like they'd become less people friendly. I'll check back in the morning.

If that's what you want then go with it keep in mind that while they may work out as a breeding pair you may need to add another female down the road. Just depends on the ducks, but by then it would be spring/summer and ducks are easier to find. Oh and if you do get welsh harlequins the males are very pretty. Calls are not sold by Metzer and are harder to come by. You can't really get ducklings from my understanding because they won't survive shopping same for Muscovies.

 

[backyardflock1]

If that's what you want then go with it

keep in mind that while they may work out as a breeding pair you may need to add another female down the road. Just depends on the ducks, but by then it would be spring/summer and ducks are easier to find. Oh and if you do get welsh harlequins the males are very pretty. Calls are not sold by Metzer and are harder to come by. You can't really get ducklings from my understanding because they won't survive shopping same for Muscovies.

If I were to get a male and a female opposed to two drakes, would they interact more with each other and less with humans do you think? I am still debating between two drakes or two females. Are drakes or females known to be more friendly in general? Thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would like eggs because I hear duck eggs taste great! I might just get two females, or maybe one female and one drake. I don't know the decider on which combination I will pick, I just want to do as much research as possible before ordering. Thanks

Go with 2 females your getting ducklings, spend alot of time with them when they arrive[how can you not] and they will bond with you and be your friend and give you eggs as a reward for your love and care.