The Duck Thread

[carcar80]

Question: If a Pekin Duckling is mixed, can you usually tell when they hatch? Or are they usually still all yellow?

 

[Mi Ranchito]

What would you say is the quieter of the breeds you have. I live in the UK on a housing estate, already have chickens but would like some ducks but not if they will annoy my neighbours....

Greetings from Texas! I would certainly go with raising Muscovy ducks! They are very quiet, not the best layers, but excellent meat ducks. They are capable fliers, so if not prevented from flying, they may just fly over the fence into your neighbors yard. I find their red faces rather interesting and attractive.

 

[Waleschix]

Thanks Mi Ranchito!
What is your experience with Campbells then - do they fly? Noisy? Lay?
Im really at the best stage for choosing as I know so little of any of them. If I can get info on all the domestic layers then I can weigh up the pros and cons before I make the mistake of taking on the wrong breed !

 

[jonhpdx]

I've heard that Muscovies are pretty quiet too, however I find them to be very ugly when compared to the other breeds of ducks. Each person has their own opinion but you might want to take a look at what Muscovies look like before you jump on that bandwagon.

Another alternative is Cayuga. They're supposed to be very quiet birds. From personal experience my Cayuga is the quietest of all 4 of my ducks. My Welsh Harlequin is pretty quiet too, though. Food for thought.

 

[kada6305]

Thanks Mi Ranchito!
What is your experience with Campbells then - do they fly? Noisy? Lay?
I'm really at the best stage for choosing as I know so little of any of them. If I can get info on all the domestic layers then I can weigh up the pros and cons before I make the mistake of taking on the wrong breed !

I have 2 Khaki Campbell's and they are too heavy to fly, mine are only a month old so haven't started to lay yet but have heard they are good layers. They were bred to be exceptional layers. as for the noise? They don't make any more noise than my Mallards. they are quit for the most part unless they get scared or are practicing their quacks. But who knows what the future holds, they are still in my house with our Mallards.

 

[luluann]

Will blue Swedish ducks fly? Mine has started growing its wing feathers and I have no top to where its home is.

 

[Mi Ranchito]

Thanks Mi Ranchito!
What is your experience with Campbells then - do they fly? Noisy? Lay?
Im really at the best stage for choosing as I know so little of any of them. If I can get info on all the domestic layers then I can weigh up the pros and cons before I make the mistake of taking on the wrong breed !

I have no experience with Campbells my friend, so would not be much help there. I did a lot of research myself before I chose Muscovy ducks. So far, I am pleased with my choice to raise them.

 

[thegoldengirls]

Thanks Mi Ranchito!
What is your experience with Campbells then - do they fly? Noisy? Lay?
Im really at the best stage for choosing as I know so little of any of them. If I can get info on all the domestic layers then I can weigh up the pros and cons before I make the mistake of taking on the wrong breed !

I have 17 khaki campbells. They will attempt to fly, and can even make it about 4' off the ground, but they can't sustain flight.
The females can definitely be loud, but it's not a constant noise. When they are content, they are quiet. They are also great layers.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Hi,

This might be a silly question but this evening I was watching my ducks and one started flapping her wings and kept going for like a good 7-8 seconds. O.K not a long time but much longer than their usual 2 second flaps when they wake up or get out of the pond. Then the second one did the same thing.

They are Indian Runner, both Females.

 

[Amiga]

Hi,

This might be a silly question but this evening I was watching my ducks and one started flapping her wings and kept going for like a good 7-8 seconds. O.K not a long time but much longer than their usual 2 second flaps when they wake up or get out of the pond. Then the second one did the same thing.

They are Indian Runner, both Females.

I call it the "I'm okay wing flap."