THEY HAVE SHIPPED!

[lightchick]

I want either a Campbell, Runner or Welsh Harlequin. I've read that they all lay a good amount of eggs.

 

[SMonroe1990]

Yeah, I'm not worried so much about getting too many eggs from a duck. More just the experience of owning one.

 

[backyardflock1]

Yeah, I've heard runners are a bit more nervous

 

[backyardflock1]

I took the liberty to get some pics of ducklings. First here is the welsh harlequin duckling:

and here is a pekin duckling

 

[lightchick]

Pekins are a little too bulky/big and plain to me. I love the Welsh Harlequin!

 

[SMonroe1990]

Anyone have any ideas about the Blue Swedish? Lightchick I agree with you about the pekins. I don't know about anyone else, but usually when I hear anyone say they own ducks that is the kind they have. Cute ducklings!!!! Those pics make me want to get them sooner than next year. I just don't have the space to get one right now, plus I don't even know where I would order one from. I figure next year I am going to order from ideal and add the duckling to the turkey order I want to get, plus hopefully a speckled sussex chick.

 

[SMonroe1990]

Oh what about Cayugas? I love the green sheen they have to their feathers. I read somewhere on google that they are a relatively quiet breed also. Not one of the best layers but still pretty.

 

[lightchick]

I don't know....I usually go for a pet that will give something back. The only exception was the Silkie I have!

 

[SMonroe1990]

I started a thread in the duck section hoping to get the pros and cons of different duck breeds. So far it looks like Pekins are a champion layer. I know what you mean about going for animals that usually give something back. I think on average Cayugas lay like 180 eggs a year. But then again I think it also depends on how the bird is raised and what breed lines it comes from. I know there are some chicken breeds that aren't supposed to lay that well but there are some people who own them that get almost an egg everyday, so who knows. I'm happy I still have plenty of time to do a lot of research and everything before purchasing ducks.

 

[lightchick]

I started a thread in the duck section hoping to get the pros and cons of different duck breeds. So far it looks like Pekins are a champion layer. I know what you mean about going for animals that usually give something back. I think on average Cayugas lay like 180 eggs a year. But then again I think it also depends on how the bird is raised and what breed lines it comes from. I know there are some chicken breeds that aren't supposed to lay that well but there are some people who own them that get almost an egg everyday, so who knows. I'm happy I still have plenty of time to do a lot of research and everything before purchasing ducks.

I think of Pekins as the Golden Retriever of the duck world. Almost EVERYBODY has them and EVERYBODY loves them.
I like the the less common/loved breeds (both dogs and ducks). I'm going to see if the farm we get chick at has ducklings and what kind they are.
The ducks might be mixed breeds because the farms chicks are all mixed.