Putting My Ducks In A Row

[Just_Ducky]

Hello! I'm new and I have a few questions. My husband and I are discussing getting a duck (or three) to keep in our back yard for eggs but we're not settled on what sort of ducks we'd like to keep. At present we're considering Welsh Harlequin Ducks (because of their calm disposition) and Cayuga Ducks (because they are, from what I have read, fairly quiet). How much difference is there between the two in terms of disposition and noise level? And are we on the right track if we want animals that will be more like pets than livestock?

 

[Bantam Queen 6]

i had a pair of cayugas and they were skittish brats. the hen never laid a single egg either. i would change direction and choose calls. they are very friendly, quite common, and lay lots of light blue eggs!

 

[YYZ]

I had Indian runner ducks. They were a bit skitish, but i did get eggs. These ducks were pretty quiet.
I had mallards too , and they were more tame, would eat out of my hand. , but they were quit noisy.
All ducks are messy !
Let us know how you make out.

 

[gryeyes]

I had a Cayuga pair and the hen laid quite well. Both of them were very quiet and quite friendly, but the drake was friendlier. He loves me. He's now a widower; after his wife had been laying and walking away from her eggs for over a year, she started setting in a hap-hazard manner. Then she went broody on a secret stash of eggs in the front yard (including some from the chickens!), but after four days a predator got her. Now Louie is even more affectionate, without Thelma to care for/about.

I hatched 3 call ducklings and recently bought some Cayuga ducklings; they're about four weeks apart in age. The calls are outside in a grow-out pen and duck house; Louie is very interested in them but he went to nip the ducklings when I held one out to him. The Cayuga ducklings are still in the brooder in the house... I'm hoping to raise up a new wife for Louie and have a flock for him to rule.

Calls are adorable because of their small size, but they are very noisy - especially the girls. Thelma spoiled me, because she was so quiet. Maybe quacked about 10 times in 18 months. The rest of the time, she and Louie just gabbled to each other.

I highly recommend Cayugas. My experience has been wonderful (except for the predator getting Thelma, that is). I loved her eggs!

 

[BooBear]

how big are call duck eggs? Are they small like the chicken bantam eggs or a bit bigger?

 

[gryeyes]

They're just a tad bit bigger than bantam chicken eggs.

 

[Just_Ducky]

Thanks so much for all of the information! Calls are adorable but unfortunately they are out of the question for us right now.

We have neighbors who would not appreciate loud birds and an outside kitty who pesters anything smaller than our Fennec Fox (2.8 lbs). Would I be better off sticking with just one breed of duck or would it maybe be worthwhile to get a few different kinds? Also, is there any reason to get a drake if we're not planning on ducklings any time soon?

 

[Oregon Blues]

Of those 2, the Welsh Harlequin is the better layer.

No, you do not need a drake.

 

[Just_Ducky]

Quote:
Okay, thanks.

How are Welsh Harlequins in terms of volume?

 

[Batty about Banties]

Muscovy ducks are quiet. I have a drake but hes sorta skittish.....I also didn't raise him. I have 3 Muscovy ducklings as well which are eating out of my hand and warming up to me. Not sure on egg production since mine are still babies. Good luck with your decision