Thinking about getting ducks...

You know they can be talkative and messy and are still interested, so you are half way there
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I had pekins before I was 7, so don't remember much about those. I now have 3 runners. They are little comedians with feathers. I told DH before we moved here that I wanted ducks, so while sitting in our hotel room when we flew down to try to close on the house, I was researching ducks. Yep, still wanted them. Showed a few to DH and he thought the runners looked cool and sounded rather neat. We moved down a month later and about 3.5 months later, I ordered my ducklings. DH came home when they were about 4 weeks old and missed the super fun parts of their growing up. I had them outside from day 1 - August in southern AL, plenty warm for them. I would bring them in every day to run around in the master bath so the dogs could see them, but not get to them. After a week, their play time ended with tub time, dry off and then back out in their kennel on the patio to finish drying. With them outside, I didn't notice as much how messy brooding can be - was nothing a hose couldn't take care of
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I'd like to do it again this summer and think I have DH on board for a couple more (which will likely be another 3), but need to get the new dog introduced and going well with the existing 3 girls before bringing in more peeping toys.


They can be noisy, especially when the new dog gets too close (which is now about 15 feet instead of 50 feet). They are stinky little devils. I'm not looking forward to cleaning their duck house all summer. It's nasty each morning as it is since it just isn't getting cool at night anymore. I cleaned out their big pool 2 days ago and after spending most of yesterday it, it is kind of gross already and I normally get about 4 days out of it.
I hose down the duck yard (was the dog yard) about daily. It's pea gravel and they don't spend tons of time in there, but it is under our bedroom window, so it get's hosed - though we just closed the windows 2 days ago to turn on the AC, so not as much of an issue, but still, under our windows and right next to the deck.

They don't eat too much food. I think a 50 pound bag of feed lasts me 6-8 weeks. They spend most of the day out searching the yard for yummy things to eat. Napping in the shade. Napping by the garden pool. Chasing bugs. Yelling at me that it is past their snack time.
I typically get 2 eggs a day and sometimes a 3rd soft shelled one that one of the dogs will eat.
I have a little pool next to our veggie garden and the ducks are kind enough to hop in and poop in it - giving me free fertilizer for the garden. I have to water the garden anyway, so I just fill the pool, let the ducks have their fun and use that water to water the garden. Garden is growing great.

We have about 4.5 acres fenced. They still sneak out into the non fenced area and think it is great when they manage to do so. I don't agree. Too many loose dogs and other things around for them to be outside the fence. But in the back yard, they stick to the close 1/2 acre near the house or so. Took them a while to get brave enough to do what they cover now without having me with them, but they are fearless bug chasers now!

I love having them around. Even if DH isn't so thrilled with them. I haven't bought eggs since last year
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Well its a mix of both really.
I want eggs and eye candy, while my Fiancée wants to be able to eat them at some point.
Its still up in the air, but thank you very much for the suggestions!
 
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Runners are great eye candy and egg layers (Ally hasn't missed a day since she started in early January, Cadbury missed a few days, Blue was broody and then molting and who knows what she's up to now).
Anything can be friendly if you have them in small numbers and spend time to make them that way.
Round 2 of runners here will get more personal time since there will be 2 of us here to give it.


Meat birds - bigger ones. My runners are 3 pound skinny little things, not much to eat.
check out metzerfarms.com and head to the ducks - there are descriptions on each one (I'm sure other hatcheries have descriptions as well if you look there) or order a book online or head to the farm store to pick one up (I've not seen any B&N carry a duck book) and check out info for each breed.

Research them all and see what appeals to you. Get all one type or mix your flock up and have some eye candy, some egg layers, some meat birds, etc.
 
I have to say some good points and seems like you know the basics of ducks. If you really have more questions get a book from Storeys on ducks...Storeys books seem to be packed with info for the experienced as well as the in-experienced person. And I personally don't care for ducks cause they cause me more work due to I don't have natural place for them to swim I have to make mine....but umm we won't go with the ducklings I have at this time. But I do look forward to hearing your duck stories of how they are growing, doing and their antics....I hope you enjoy!!!
 
There's a piece in Grit magazine (and free to read online) with all the basics about keeping ducks here: http://www.grit.com/animals/livestock/raising-ducks.aspx

Of
course Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread is the #1 source of info, and is less than $15 at Amazon.

Ducks are great fun and very productive. I love both Runners and magpies, the two breeds that I raise. The Runners are probably more practical for the backyard keeper, but magpies have similar qualities and are extremely gorgeous and also quite rare. The challenge with magpies is finding good stock, and if you breed, maintaining color quality is difficult. Also, Runners are about the most hardy of breeds, but all ducks are pretty hardy (except maybe some of the miniature breeds).

The article reference above in Grit also contains a basic run-down of some of the main breeds. If you like the article, please click the "like" button because I wrote it and it makes me very happy when people "like" my status, lol. It also creates something I can reference when trying to sell my pieces to other magazines AND it lets Grit know you like learning about ducks, so maybe they'll print more duck-related matter in the future.
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Oh very good idea! Thank you very much!
Ill make sure to post about the ducks when we do get them
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Haha the look he just gave me is priceless!
Hes such a softy at heart and I know for a fact he will end up falling in love with them haha.
 
A few months ago,I was saying NO ducks. I'd heard they were horribly messy. Well.......... my new babies arrived yesterday. 2 White Pekins and 2 Cayugas. All girls. They are so adorable. Right after I ordered them I found a great deal on CL for a duck house for them. Needs a little touch up,but otherwise it's great.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/51310_duckhouse2.jpg[/ https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/51310_duckhouse1.jpg[/
In this pic you can also see mallards,but they were for my neighbor.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/51310_dscn1499.jpg[/
 
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