To heck w/ chickens...

[fowlmood]

It's funny that you started this thread. I was just thinking the other day, "I like my chickens a lot, but boy those ducks have way more personality". I house mine in with the chickens. Sometimes I have to herd them into the coop at night, but most of the time they go in by themselves. They could, and probably would prefer to, stay out in the run all night, but my run is not critter proof so I lock them in the coop. As far as the eggs go, I do not taste any difference but I do appreciate the texture of duck eggs better. I've really gotten to prefer them because they hold together so much better. My mallard and runner have just recently started laying but my pekin has been very consistent this winter. I was also just telling my daughter the other day that I can't imagine coming home and not hearing those ducks. They have a contagious laugh!

Besides, chickens aren't that funny in a pool of water.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Just before I read this thread, I was actually thinking of giving away some of my chickens and getting a few more ducks instead. You enablers turned that thought into a serious contemplation! Thanks, thanks alot!

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

Chickens aren't really that bad are they?

I was really getting excited about my first chick order, but now I am afraid that I might be disappointed. Do chickens actually have personality too?

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

When I had my first campbell hen she was the only bird that layed in the winter. She was a great layer for her 4 years then she was killed by dogs.
Now that I live in town I am going to get some layer ducks again. They cant fly over a 4' fence like chickens, they are fun to watch, and they lay great. Everyone in my family prefers duck eggs to chicken eggs because they are bigger and seem to hold their shape longer (the white and yolk). Plus neighbors seem to like ducks more than chickens lol.

 

[obsessed]

My duckies are coming next week from McMurry's. I am so excited. I went with duck for several reasons. One their eggs are far more superior to chicken eggs. Yummy the creamy thick yolk. Two, my yard has some drainage issues and think the ducks will be happier in a sometime wet yard than chickens. And I didn't want to build a chicken coop.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Yes, particular duck breeds outperform chickens in egg production.
I love ducks, they are so funny to watch, and they show their enjoyment of life all the time, also they will eat more mosquitoes and other bugs than any bird I know.
When I had a few ducks I put up a light on level ground at night to attract bugs, my ducks ate so many bugs at night they could barely move in the morning dragging their crops on dirt. LOL!

However I gave up ducks since I got sick of cleaning kids pool and filling it with fresh water every day .

I would not keep ducks denying them at least a dip in water, (mini pool)

If I had a natural lake or pond that would be a different story.

Also the negative sides of keeping ducks for eggs:

Ducks eggs are higher in cholesterol than chicken eggs.

Ducks eat much more than chickens I believe unless you have a good pasture they can eat you out of your house.

 

[chrisf]

I would like to mention that I have a turkey hen that out performs all of my chickens as far as eggs go, laying everyday from early March till sometime in Nov. She just eats more food............

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

And now for your cute fluffy duckling amusement....

DUCKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The post office called me at 5:45 this morning. I've never woken up so quickly

I got 21 of them (ordered 20) all seem healthy. I have two tufted, and one that looks like it wanted to be tufted, but the tuft is sort of all over his head

I'll probably put the tufted into the "going to auction" pile .

I didn't expect them to be so small!!! They are so cute

Yay!!! Duckies!!!!!

meri

 

[ChickenToes]

If cuteness cute kill, I'd be dead by now...

I can't wait until April, that's when my duckies will be arriving.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Mojo Chick'n :

And now for your cute fluffy duckling amusement....

DUCKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh75/chiknmama/chiknmamaschikns/3ae5aee4.jpg

The post office called me at 5:45 this morning. I've never woken up so quickly

I got 21 of them (ordered 20) all seem healthy. I have two tufted, and one that looks like it wanted to be tufted, but the tuft is sort of all over his head

I'll probably put the tufted into the "going to auction" pile .

I didn't expect them to be so small!!! They are so cute

Yay!!! Duckies!!!!!

meri

AW! What breeds are they? It looks like some blue swedish and a couple of magpies, but I may be seeing things. What hatchery did you order from?​