Question on duck breeds?

[nao57]

So I wanted to ask is there one particular type of duck that is considered the most tame? Or most taming potential? And how much can vary on individual details?

Here are some of the thoughts I had thinking about this question.

I have a few khakis and a few pekings. The pekings will approach me the most and the closest distance. But they won't allow me to pick them up. (They aren't imprinted). The khakis by comparison are very wary in getting close to me at all, not even to pet. But 1 or 2 of the pekings will sometimes let me touch them lightly, but then quickly shy away. (Although it seems like the khakis good instincts have advantages also in other ways, like being slightly more alert.)

But I also don't know if this is universal or just my ducks?

I have 1 runner duckling, 3 weeks old. Its kind of funny. It will approach me more than the others, and is imprinted. So if I let him/her out, he will follow me everywhere. But I don't know how well he would have done this if it wasn't imprinted, and how much with comparisons to the others? And does this mean other runners also have really good temperament?

And its possible I still don't know a lot and that there are many other nuances to other breeds that I've never seen before.

Question #2, I saw references in some poultry online stores to 'Khaki Runners'. I wanted to ask about these? Anyone try them? How are they different from normal runners and khakis? Would they have the fully egg production of a normal khaki? And is this type of sub-breed, why some people quote runners as producing lots of eggs but some quote them at really low amounts?

#3; is it possible that if you only tame/imprint the lead duck in a herd that you can influence all the others to approach you more (within limits), and with some taming advantages? What do you think about this?

 

[ayeitsmeme]

Yeah my khaki isnt the biggest on me loving on him either. It's not fear though, more just stubborn I swear I think me and that duck have a love hate relationship. Half the time hes being judgemental, the other half he comes to find me for help lol. So I would say your experience with your khakis is about par for the course lol.

And I would say as far as certain breeds being more loving than others. My mallard is more shy and alert than my khaki and they've been raised the exact same. For whatever reason he is super shy about taking treats from my hand. But somehow hes the easiest duck to catch lol.

Overall, ducks are weird. My boys love staying with me and chattering to me, but aren't the biggest on touch. And just because they aren't cuddly doesn't mean they love being around you any less. But honestly, if you raise them and they imprint to you I think any breed will be exceptionally sweet.

 

[nao57]

Yeah my khaki isnt the biggest on me loving on him either. It's not fear though, more just stubborn I swear I think me and that duck have a love hate relationship. Half the time hes being judgemental, the other half he comes to find me for help lol. So I would say your experience with your khakis is about par for the course lol.

And I would say as far as certain breeds being more loving than others. My mallard is more shy and alert than my khaki and they've been raised the exact same. For whatever reason he is super shy about taking treats from my hand. But somehow hes the easiest duck to catch lol.

Overall, ducks are weird. My boys love staying with me and chattering to me, but aren't the biggest on touch. And just because they aren't cuddly doesn't mean they love being around you any less. But honestly, if you raise them and they imprint to you I think any breed will be exceptionally sweet.

lol

 

[free range possum]

So, do you have ducks for eggs, meat or insect control? I keep American black ducks, aylesbury, and khakis but hands down the best over the years has been muscovies! Not the layers that khakis are but fantastic mothers that will hatch their many eggs plus donor eggs and share brooding with sister, mother or neighbor since they are so social. Huge males and big claws make them more able to defend their large broods and although it takes them 35 days to hatch, I usually get 4+ broods a hen without extra lights, feed. They hustle! And they make amazing file and skeeter control. Very fast growth and an amazing array of color to breed for. I have lavender and my own colors I call wolf/goose grey and my favorite color I call dirty denim. These are popular at parks as they are alert and learn easily. I and many know the birds respond to their names, come when called and know my schedule. I am also placing these large beauties at the very top because they wag their tails and come like a dog! By far, if you want meat, the meat isn't greasy like mallard derived breeds. My feathered waygu! Breasts grill beautifully and taste like fajita with similar lean texture. This is the most farmed bird in the world I've seen in all my travels . Second, I like the sweet aylesbury ducks for their calm temperament. A guy in Kansas raises the best true land race heritage version of this duck. Not huge layers,or brooder but unique and cool ducks. Yes, it gets crazy hot here in Texas and bugs and snakes as well as wild hogs are a issue, but if I had one homestead animal, as much as I enjoy the quail..it would definitely be muscovy. Maybe you should try guineas? I have vulterine guineas. Very fond of them too
UOTE="nao57, post: 22644872, member: 561354"]
So I wanted to ask is there one particular type of duck that is considered the most tame? Or most taming potential? And how much can vary on individual details?

Here are some of the thoughts I had thinking about this question.

I have a few khakis and a few pekings. The pekings will approach me the most and the closest distance. But they won't allow me to pick them up. (They aren't imprinted). The khakis by comparison are very wary in getting close to me at all, not even to pet. But 1 or 2 of the pekings will sometimes let me touch them lightly, but then quickly shy away. (Although it seems like the khakis good instincts have advantages also in other ways, like being slightly more alert.)

But I also don't know if this is universal or just my ducks?

I have 1 runner duckling, 3 weeks old. Its kind of funny. It will approach me more than the others, and is imprinted. So if I let him/her out, he will follow me everywhere. But I don't know how well he would have done this if it wasn't imprinted, and how much with comparisons to the others? And does this mean other runners also have really good temperament?

And its possible I still don't know a lot and that there are many other nuances to other breeds that I've never seen before.

Question #2, I saw references in some poultry online stores to 'Khaki Runners'. I wanted to ask about these? Anyone try them? How are they different from normal runners and khakis? Would they have the fully egg production of a normal khaki? And is this type of sub-breed, why some people quote runners as producing lots of eggs but some quote them at really low amounts?

#3; is it possible that if you only tame/imprint the lead duck in a herd that you can influence all the others to approach you more (within limits), and with some taming advantages? What do you think about this?
[/QUOTE]
All in all

 

[nao57]

So, do you have ducks for eggs, meat or insect control? I keep American black ducks, aylesbury, and khakis but hands down the best over the years has been muscovies! Not the layers that khakis are but fantastic mothers that will hatch their many eggs plus donor eggs and share brooding with sister, mother or neighbor since they are so social. Huge males and big claws make them more able to defend their large broods and although it takes them 35 days to hatch, I usually get 4+ broods a hen without extra lights, feed. They hustle! And they make amazing file and skeeter control. Very fast growth and an amazing array of color to breed for. I have lavender and my own colors I call wolf/goose grey and my favorite color I call dirty denim. These are popular at parks as they are alert and learn easily. I and many know the birds respond to their names, come when called and know my schedule. I am also placing these large beauties at the very top because they wag their tails and come like a dog! By far, if you want meat, the meat isn't greasy like mallard derived breeds. My feathered waygu! Breasts grill beautifully and taste like fajita with similar lean texture. This is the most farmed bird in the world I've seen in all my travels . Second, I like the sweet aylesbury ducks for their calm temperament. A guy in Kansas raises the best true land race heritage version of this duck. Not huge layers,or brooder but unique and cool ducks. Yes, it gets crazy hot here in Texas and bugs and snakes as well as wild hogs are a issue, but if I had one homestead animal, as much as I enjoy the quail..it would definitely be muscovy. Maybe you should try guineas? I have vulterine guineas. Very fond of them too
UOTE="nao57, post: 22644872, member: 561354"]
So I wanted to ask is there one particular type of duck that is considered the most tame? Or most taming potential? And how much can vary on individual details?

Here are some of the thoughts I had thinking about this question.

I have a few khakis and a few pekings. The pekings will approach me the most and the closest distance. But they won't allow me to pick them up. (They aren't imprinted). The khakis by comparison are very wary in getting close to me at all, not even to pet. But 1 or 2 of the pekings will sometimes let me touch them lightly, but then quickly shy away. (Although it seems like the khakis good instincts have advantages also in other ways, like being slightly more alert.)

But I also don't know if this is universal or just my ducks?

I have 1 runner duckling, 3 weeks old. Its kind of funny. It will approach me more than the others, and is imprinted. So if I let him/her out, he will follow me everywhere. But I don't know how well he would have done this if it wasn't imprinted, and how much with comparisons to the others? And does this mean other runners also have really good temperament?

And its possible I still don't know a lot and that there are many other nuances to other breeds that I've never seen before.

Question #2, I saw references in some poultry online stores to 'Khaki Runners'. I wanted to ask about these? Anyone try them? How are they different from normal runners and khakis? Would they have the fully egg production of a normal khaki? And is this type of sub-breed, why some people quote runners as producing lots of eggs but some quote them at really low amounts?

#3; is it possible that if you only tame/imprint the lead duck in a herd that you can influence all the others to approach you more (within limits), and with some taming advantages? What do you think about this?

All in all
[/QUOTE]
Thanks!

This is interesting that you have quite a bit of knowledge in areas that a lot of breeds that it seems like others don't know about. I don't think too many people know about these Aylesburies for example. And I don't often see posts about muscovies. So it will be interesting to see more of your posts in the future!

 

[wilwingswaterfowl]

I have some Khakis that are friendlier than others depending on how I raised them. One was raised alone with just us to imprint on and he comes running over all the time and nibbles on my wife's toes. Some eat from our hands however none like to be picked up.