So what am I missing here? I have always thought of chickens as egg producers but in reading these posts it sounds like the duck eggs are more nutritious, alkaline and they lay more and on and on. So why don't most people raise ducks for eggs and leave the chicken to the soup pot? I must be missing something or there is some drawbacks or something.
At this point I am considering raising chickens for meat and the reduced egg production seen by the meat breeds and raise ducks for eggs, especially being the KC is basically the size of a chicken so the feed should maybe be close to the same? Maybe someone can advise on feed to egg ratios and in general maintaining good health how much feed is needed to maintain a KC compared to a heritage bred chicken.
I am so glad that you asked that question.,I wish more people would want to know.
I am allergic to chicken eggs. Three months ago ,I found out that people that are allergic to chicken eggs, Can eat the Duck egg with out the allergy`s., I was able to fine a dozen duck eggs on Craig`s List. but soon that duck egg source was not available. I could not find duck eggs close to my area so I decided , since I had the country setting and time, I would just get my own Ducks.
I love ducks and chickens and both have their drawbacks. Friends have had ducks and geese but soon went back to chickens because of the water mess..
Ducks need more water to be happy and healthy, they are a pig with feathers. I only have 6 ducks and can not imagine having a big flock .Ducks want to be clean, all the time. Even if it is in the drinking water.
unless there was a pond for them. I have only had them for less then 3 months but it seems much longer. I am really enjoying their duck personality but I feel I have been giving them room service.
I feel sorry for the chicken that has to drink out of a duck`s watering bowl. Ducks wash their nose and eyes in it after they gargle with their mouth.
.Now that our weather is getting better, I have them out during the day, in their day pen where they can make a water mess with their water tub, and I can hose the poop out. Now we are working an a secure pasture run.
This is what the BYC site is all about and so glad that we all can learn from it. I have learned so much with this crash course of 2 months.