Swedish ducks

[LoreenH]

Hello, I would like your opinion(s) on Swedish ducks. I have never had ducks of any kind and have been told Swedish are good for beginners. I would be getting them (or some kind of duck) by early spring; we won't be ready before then for them. I am looking for egg production/foraging type ducks. I originally was going to go with Khaki Campbells but have been told that Swedish ducks are calmer than Campbells. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Wifezilla]

If egg production is one of your primary motivations, I would stick with the campbells. Swedish are more of a meat breed. You might want to consider Welsh Harlequins. They lay eggs like a khaki, but they are bigger and less skittish.

 

[Henrietta23]

I have both. My Swedish are a little calmer but my khaki hen is definitely a better layer. The khakis are a little smaller and don't eat like my piggy Swedish do.

 

[Ang]

I also have Campbells and Swedes. I love them both. Mine are all pretty calm. I will say that my Swedish girl is very talkative. I rarely hear the Campbells talk at all.

 

[LoreenH]

We Swedes do like to eat....I'm 1/4 Swedish.

 

[Henrietta23]

Quote:
I'd agree with that. My Swedish are quite a bit more talkative than my Khaki girl. And the Swedish drake also makes more noise than the Khaki drake.

 

[LoreenH]

Quote:
I'd agree with that. My Swedish are quite a bit more talkative than my Khaki girl. And the Swedish drake also makes more noise than the Khaki drake.

I live in the city and can only have 3 girls, but am going to try to get away with 5 or 6; we have a 6-foot high board fence around the backyard & they would also have a pen to keep them safe from racoons and opossums. I didn't consider the 'quack factor', I will have to do more thinking about this.

 

[Wifezilla]

Khakis aren't as noisy as Welsh Harlequins

 

[Henrietta23]

Quote:
I'd agree with that. My Swedish are quite a bit more talkative than my Khaki girl. And the Swedish drake also makes more noise than the Khaki drake.

I live in the city and can only have 3 girls, but am going to try to get away with 5 or 6; we have a 6-foot high board fence around the backyard & they would also have a pen to keep them safe from racoons and opossums. I didn't consider the 'quack factor', I will have to do more thinking about this.

While standing at the bus stop with my son on the first day of school this year I was stunned to hear how much noise my two (at that time) female ducks made! They are as loud or louder than the rooster when they're both worked up and quacking in chorus. It's not as piercing a noise and the rooster's crow though. Personally I find it pleasant and none of my neighbors have complained.

 

[LoreenH]

With all the dogs barking in the neighborhood, I'd welcome hearing ducks as I'm sure the surrounding neighbors will; especially if I bribe them with fresh duck eggs