Some beginner questions...

kisat

Songster
12 Years
Apr 1, 2007
178
1
139
Washington State
So we have decided that we would like to get some ducks and I have some questions that I guarantee are beginner questions :p I've never owned ducks before but we would like to get some eventually and I was curious about some things. I will apologize right away if ANY of these questions have been asked before. I've looked all over but can't find anything on here.

First off what makes a pet duck not want to migrate? Or do they?

What would be a great breed of duck to get? We live in Washington State so of course, I could only get what's around here, but I'd love to know the differences and what would be best.

That's about it for now. Only two biggies I have.

Thanks everyone!
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The reason pet ducks don't migrate is because they can't fly. The only breeds that can fly are mallards, call ducks, and muscovies. I think that's it.

As for what breeds to get, it depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for eggs, then you want khaki campbells or welsh harlequins. If you're looking for friendliness, I love my pekins and rouens. It all depends on what you want.
 
i am in washington also and i have lots of dif. breed ducks and have no winter issues i just add a heat lamp to thier house and they run around in the snow all day.
they will need a safe house to live in because of coons, cayotes and dogs and such.
 
As for breeds, you can have pretty much whatever you want--order from Holderread's or McMurray Hatchery or any number of other places and they will ship you whatever they have, as long as you're willing to order a minimum of ten at a time. If you don't need that many, check the craigslist in your area and see if anyone is willing to split an order with you--that is how I got my first small flock.

I like Indian Runners--they are unique, funny, personable, and come in lots of cool colors, plus they are good layers. I've heard Welsh Harlequins are really neat--they lay lots of eggs, can be sexed at hatch by the color of the beak, are pretty, and I've heard they're personable, but I've never met one.

But it really does depend on you. If you are just getting a few as pets, why not get a variety and see what you like? Take into consideration what you like--colors, patterns, egg laying, size, etc.

Any breed will do fine in the cold. Ducks are well insulated, and actually have an easier time in winter than in summer here in the hot South. Just provide them with adequate protection from the elements for the worst weather, and they'll do fine.

Good luck!
 
oh and metzer farms will let yoou order as little as 2 and i think ideal will also. holderreads is in corvalis OR. and you can pick them up if you want.
 
Another person from Washington. Hi!

Definitely look through holderreads, metzers, and other duck catalogues to see what sort of ducks appeal to you then get that. There are so many sorts, all interesting in their own right.
 
If you don't have a preference, it's fun to get Hatchery Assortments. That is what I did when I first started getting ducks. You get a wide variety. After living with them a while, you'll develop preferences for certain breeds.
 
duckboatprincess Thanks for the reply! Ah. Okay. Now I understand why they can't fly. Thank you so much
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Not sure about wanting egg layers or not, but I will think about that. Pekins and rouens? I'll look those up.

streemers thanks for the reply
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That's great to hear. Yeah with our chickens they wouldn't even come OUT during the winter snow until I cleared a lot of it out of the pen so that's good to know that they don't mind it. Wouldn't have an issue with heat, we insulate the coop during the winter and summer, we take that out. Stays pretty warm in there during winter. As for housing, yeah, we already have a chicken coop--no longer chickens in there though, they've all passed--that we would be using for the ducks. Nice house, nice protection from everything. Good place for them and even though we'd allow them out of the pen, there would be a big enough place in there for a kiddie pool for them too. So that would be no problem whatsoever. Thanks
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iamcuriositycat Great! Thanks so much for all that information. If there aren't any people selling them around here--at least the ones I might be interested in--then I shall definitely look them up at those places
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I appreciate that help! Indian Runners huh? I will look those up. Sounds interesting!

rainplace Awesome! Hi!
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Thanks so much for the reply and info!

Soccer Mom Thanks for the reply
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Yeah? Assortments huh? There's a strong chance of males AND females right? Like with chickens, you wouldn't know for sure? I shall think about that method
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What is the difference between male and female? Anything really?

Okay, for everyone with egg-layers, how do they compare to chickens? The taste I mean
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And how do they compare to costs of raising? With our chickens we used to have, we had feed as a supplement, but let them free range our backyard and they loved it. Would ducks be the same? Just need feed mainly for supplement, otherwise costs would be about the same would you say?

Thanks!
 
The males become aggressive if there are not enough females. I have heard though that in an all male flock, it's not like that. Males don't quack loudly like females. They have more of a hiss or raspy type quack that's pretty quiet.
 
Ah okay. That's good to hear.

I just found something for two FREE Cayuga Ducks that are male down the street from where I live. Anyone heard of them? They make good pets? I can't find too much info about them.
 

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