So Tell Me About Ducks

[mkeawsh]

I have been steadily getting interested in acquiring a few ducks after reading posts on here. What breed of duck would you suggest and should I incubate or purchase young ones? I incubated and brooded all my chickens in my living room. I would probably like to start off with just two and since my space is limited they would have to be smaller but friendlier breeds. I have grand children that love to just sit on the ground with my animals and visit - holding is a "no no" until they get older. What are the must in accessories - a small pool (my wet weather creek is just that "wet weather" and then in over-flows it's banks)? I want to do this correct or I'm not doing it all. I will not have an animal suffer because of my ignorance.

 

[dumb_cluck]

If you want only two, you will probably have to arrange with someone else to share in a straight run (meaning who knows how many males or females).

Most internet suppliers won't ship less than 6 or even 3. The death rate is high for newly hatched and they prefer you to buy about 10 to insure you get a decent quantity arriving alive and that they keep each other warm during shipping.

Shipping is ONLY by USPS.

I started with a local Agway which had a straight run of mallards. Again, what breed of duck are you looking for? That will limit the availability for local sources.
Keep researching....time is on your side.........

 

[The Chicken People]

Last year my adult son brought me a gift of one single duck! I then corrected him abd went right out and got two from the feed store! Turns out I got one male and one female pekin ducks from the feed store and one female mallard from the son! I am very happy!

 

[sheila3935]

First off ducks are great fun. Now the bad stuff. I have a khaki campbell duck and a runner drake. They are the same size as my LF chickens. They are messier than chickens as in their poo and water mess they make but so much fun watching them swim. I have a wadding pool for them and last year DH made a pond but is going to redo it this year. As for brooding in your living room, be prepared they grow fast and STINK. I hatched out 2 in January kept them in the house til about a week ago and couldnt take it any longer they are in the garage in a large pen with heat so they are not cold. I would clean their brooder at least 2 times a day and they would still stink. So if you plan on babies make it to where you can get them outside asap. I will not hatch ducks in the winter again. That being said I have 6 duck eggs in the incubator right now that are do to hatch March 16th.