Quieter? Welsh Harlequin or Cayuga?

[Desertguardian]

I'm trying to decide which breed to buy. I seem to like the Welsh Harlequin and cayuga. I'm in a residental area and hope these breeds would be ok for backyard here. So I can mix a few of each or buy all same and wonder what you think about noise factor? I only want 3 or 4 ducks. I don't want mascovy. Also I'm in Arizona and wonder about heat for Cayuga since they thrive in cold. Also wonder about flying. I heard Welsh Harlequin don't fly but do I need to clip wings on cayuga? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Cayuga also do not fly. I have a variety of ducks, including Cayuga‘s and Welsh HarleQuin . My Cayuga is pretty quiet my Welsh Harlequin‘s are moderate my two loudest ducks right now are a white Swedish and a silver apple yard. My Pekin is pretty loud sometimes too.

 

[Desertguardian]

Thank you for your response. Someone told me the Cayuga can fly better than welsh harlequin. I was going to mix them but now just getting welsh require due to they don’t fly. How do you think they might mix together in a small flock? Also I heard Cayugas are cold hardy and since I live in Arizona was going to save them the pain of our summer heat and not buy them. Do you agree?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for your response. Someone told me the Cayuga can fly better than welsh harlequin. I was going to mix them but now just getting welsh require due to they don’t fly. How do you think they might mix together in a small flock? Also I heard Cayugas are cold hardy and since I live in Arizona was going to save them the pain of our summer heat and not buy them. Do you agree?

I do have Cayuga among my flock and because they are black will soak up the sun faster but with plenty of shade and lots of water, including a pool a Cayuga should do okay.

 

[Desertguardian]

I do have Cayuga among my flock and because they are black will soak up the sun faster but with plenty of shade and lots of water, including a pool a Cayuga should do okay.

Do you find them to be very loud? I'm in a residential area. Do you like them???

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only time I hear my Cayuga is when her best friend starts quacking Oilve of course has to answer. They can be loud but it isn't constant. I love my Cayuga.

 

[campsuz]

Thank you for your response. Someone told me the Cayuga can fly better than welsh harlequin. I was going to mix them but now just getting welsh require due to they don’t fly. How do you think they might mix together in a small flock? Also I heard Cayugas are cold hardy and since I live in Arizona was going to save them the pain of our summer heat and not buy them. Do you agree?

I have Cayuga and they don't fly. They are fun to watch in the pond - they like to zoom in the water and dive. It is in the 30s and they refused to get off the pond and go into their pen. The pond will freeze over in about a week and they will be stuck with a large kiddy pool with a heater! I am not sure if they would like the heat of Arizona. I hope someone from your area will be able to help you with that.

 

[Desertguardian]

I have Cayuga and they don't fly. They are fun to watch in the pond - they like to zoom in the water and dive. It is in the 30s and they refused to get off the pond and go into their pen. The pond will freeze over in about a week and they will be stuck with a large kiddy pool with a heater! I am not sure if they would like the heat of Arizona. I hope someone from your area will be able to help you with that.

Thank you for your reply. Yea I’m starting to think they might be miserable in 115 degrees during our summer, even with shade and a pool. I have a mist system too but if not sure, I’ll have to pass. They sure seem like nice ducks though…

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

I'm trying to decide which breed to buy. I seem to like the Welsh Harlequin and cayuga.

Why do you want ducks, exactly?
For meat? For eggs...? As ornemental...? Pets?

Have you looked at other breeds, or do you want one of these specifically?

I'm in a residental area and hope these breeds would be ok for backyard here. So I can mix a few of each or buy all same and wonder what you think about noise factor?

If you take only drakes, then whatever the breed you choose, the noise should not bother your neighbours, since their voice is low and raspy...

I heard Welsh Harlequin don't fly but do I need to clip wings on cayuga?

My Cayuga drakes have tried to fly before I cut their wing feathers after their last molt... and for both of them, it was an epic, dramatic fail.

But Welsh Harlequin look like they would succeed if they really wanted to...?

Any help would be appreciated.

Have you asked your neighbours if you taking ducks would bother them?

If they don't care about the ducks quacking, then you won't have to worry about it...!

(And, well... giving people free eggs tend to appease the ones who are not happy with the noise, so...)

Yea I’m starting to think they might be miserable in 115 degrees during our summer, even with shade and a pool.

...If heat is a problem, have you thought about Indian Runner ducks?