Texas and ducks

[Garden_Girl]

Hi, so I've had chickens for a while and want to add two ducks to my little backyard farm. I'm living in texas so the summer heat can get up in to the low 100s. I'm wondering what friendly and quiet breeds would be able to handle those temperatures?

 

[Quatie]

Well there is the obvious, muscovy. But I not sure how you feel about owning them, since they are considered native to Texas. But they are the only quiet ducks.

Most breeds can handle the heat with shade and plenty of water. I want to say Runners are slightly better at handling heat. I know I saw someone in Texas with Pekins and they do ok. My Pekin tend to pant the most in the heat compared to my other breeds.

 

[KaleIAm]

My mallard derived breeds dislike the heat very much. It could be because they've lived in Washington State their entire lives and are acclimated to this weather, but any time it gets above 70 they seek out shade. If it is above 80 they are probably panting and refusing to go on walks with me because it is too hot. They are serious pansies about heat and direct sunlight. I have had 6 ducks, 1 cayuga, 2 welsh harlequins, 1 crested pekin, and 2 probably khaki campbells.

This is how my ducks behave, I'm sure other people experience different behavior.

 

[Garden_Girl]

Well there is the obvious, muscovy. But I not sure how you feel about owning them, since they are considered native to Texas. But they are the only quiet ducks.

Most breeds can handle the heat with shade and plenty of water. I want to say Runners are slightly better at handling heat. I know I saw someone in Texas with Pekins and they do ok. My Pekin tend to pant the most in the heat compared to my other breeds.

Not really interested in Moscovy, wanting something that lays more eggs than they do. The runners sound amazing though, so I'll look more into those, thank you!

 

[Quatie]

Not really interested in Moscovy, wanting something that lays more eggs than they do. The runners sound amazing though, so I'll look more into those, thank you!

Yeah I thought you might not want muscovy, but had to mention it. If you haven't, you could also try your state thread and see what ducks people have. It might give you more ideas and better info to go on.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I'm in Texas and have had Rouens, Runners, Pekins, Muscovy, Khaki Campbells, and Calls and they've all done alright in the summer. The Muscovy are by far the calmest out of all the breeds. Calls are a close second.

 

[Daisy sassy lucky]

As this thread has some texas folks I thought I'd join in. I have had muscovy and they do fine. I've always seen a variety at ponds.
I have a young swedish that hasn't had a summer yet so not sure about them. The swedish are louder than I'd like for the backyard experience.

Texas folks do you know of any places to get a rescue duck . My young duck lost her small flock. They had come from eggs but that takes awhile.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Khaki Campbells are good layers and do well here in Southeast Arizona summers. "It's a dry heat" so not Texas I know.

 

[MotherOfDuckens]

@WannaBeHillBilly has a great duck flock planner that lists hardiness levels in all climates:

http://ducks.database4specialists.com/

Both the white and gold layer hybrids are listed as very hard in all climates. I can't say any of my ducks loved the heat, even the Muscovies. That could be because I am in the same boat as @KaleIAm in the PNW where I think they adjusted to the cool weather. But the white hybrids did as well if not better than the rest, they are (naturally) excellent layers, and have great personalities. As for quiet, they could be loudmouths at times but seem to have settled into being some of my quietest girls.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Ducks are generally better suited to colder than to hotter climates. Imagine you are wearing a down jacket that you cannot take off. Yes, the same downs that we humons stuff into expensive jackets to keep us warm at the north pole or the summits of tall mountains!
But that doesn't mean that you can't have ducks in Texas! There are many duck-parent members here on BYC from Texas: @Magnolia Ducks @Texag87 @Raenh just to mention a few. Even here in West Virginia my Ducks - and i have White Layers - are fighting with the summer heat. If you provide them with shade and plenty of water they will enjoy a Texas summer!