Pet Duck Breed?

[backyardflock1]

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.

Of course I will spend time with them! The only thing is that drakes are quieter, which is nice. If I were to handle them a lot, would the gender make a difference? I guess what I'm asking is: Will the gender make the duck nicer or does it not really depend on the gender and is more the handling time? Thanks for putting up with my questions

 

[chickengr]

The bigger question would be what do you want from ducks? that plays a massive role in which breed suits.

I have Pekin but they are large and do eat a fare bit so they would be on the high level for space and food, quite personable but very water based, they have figured out a way to loosen my spray nozzle if i leave the hose on but the nozzle off...

I do have a drake, he's good but less noisy so if noise matters then drakes are always a better choice than ducks, bringing the noise equation in they are loud they quack, chatter and make a ruckus so if that is an issue i would probably not choose them, they are good layers too... out of my 5 a few are still laying.

For the least amount of feed, space that would be calls, i have those too lol They are very cute, easy to handle BUT they fly and well both sexes and are loud(females) and i mean LOUD what they lack in size they make up for in voice, now the drakes are quiet though, the laying is poor mine quit months ago.

I have other breeds too, Muscovy and buff... Muscovy are the top dog forager.. but they are unique in the duck world as they are not mallard derived so their habits and behaviours are rather unusual, they roost, they fly, they rarely quack... they have massive claws... etc.

They are actually documented for their fly eating ability and are massively broody ducks i mean like a silkie... so if you dislike that sorta thing they are not for you.

Buff i am neutral on, they are good layers, loud and frankly mine are spazzy lol nice looking duck, good forager.. don't fly and are pretty much inbetween for sizing and feed consumption being a medium breed.

I need an advice: I do not have much choice for ducks. I live in greece, on an island, and I can find easily pekin duck, maybe muscovy and some sort they call it green headed - looks like rouen. the reason I want to get 2 ducks is that they will eat mosquitoes and lay eggs. will be free ranging with chicken. I can see that you have got experience with them, so could you, please, advice me which of the above mentioned breeds would be good for me.

 

[Amykins]

If you're looking for a pet and those are the only three breeds available, I'd go with a Pekin. They're all-around great birds; very friendly, great egg-layers and are very pretty, to boot! Maybe it's just me, I just like pure white birds

 

[backyardflock1]

Just an update. I ended up getting two pekin drakes, they are a little over a month old and huge. They are inseparable

 

[needlessjunk]

Just an update. I ended up getting two pekin drakes, they are a little over a month old and huge. They are inseparable

Awesome! I bet you will love them.

 

[Amykins]

Aww, yay for Pekins! I'm glad you got a bonded pair. You're gonna spend hours laughing at their silly antics, and they're surprisingly affectionate!