Wanting to get ducks, which breed?!

[Cuqui18]

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if i could have my choice of ducks im sure muscovies wud b best 4 my family but i dont mean to sound rude i absolutely love muscovies, but my mother wouldnt let them in my yard- she thinks theyre scary looking

 

[animalpro24]

Before getting ducks talk to your mom about what the rules are about what kind and loudness and stuff like that.(if you haven't already) Then let us know and that might help us with an idea.

Oh and if your getting ducks then what kind of housing will they have?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
if i could have my choice of ducks im sure muscovies wud b best 4 my family but i dont mean to sound rude i absolutely love muscovies, but my mother wouldnt let them in my yard- she thinks theyre scary looking

And you didn't sound mean or rude. I laughed because that is not the first time I have heard that about muscovies. They get a bad wrap. It's ok.

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Cuqui18]

Quote:
I have talked to my parents countless times- dont worry im not doing this unless i feel everything has been brought upon them- no secrets!!! we have discussed rules, and our first two primary concerns are: 1) making sure i have a back up plan (back up home for the ducks)if things dont work out. I have a friend who lives down the road who has owned chickens and said she would talk to her parents but she thinks they would be able to take ducks if i could not handle it) and 2) making sure i will take on the responsibility and make sure i have enough time to care for them between academics and sports and what not.

In terms of housing, I will be building or purchasing a VERY secure dog house sized hutch for them with a door leading to a back pen approx 10x 6 ft depending on how much vegetation i can clear in my yard. Im vacationing in colorado right now, so unfortunately i cant post pics of my yard but when i get home in the next few days ill post pictures of my yard to share

i actually built a small pond with a filtration system and pump connected to a fountain in my yard with my own two hands a couple summers ago which the ducks would have access to, but in there pen they would have a small pool (like 3x2 ft???) just to wash of and clear nasal passages and swim a little in. i can make the pool bigger, but i want to make sure they have enough land as well. i was thinking of covering the pen floor with sand (kinda like a litter box) which i heard was very convenient in terms of hygiene. Still tweaking the plans and what not but thats the basic idea. oh and to add, i'm working on a drainage system for their personal pen pond. anything else anyone wants to add to the discussion? i really do appreciate all the feedback everyone has given

 

[Oregon Blues]

All 3 of the breeds you are considering are excellent and you will be happy with any of them.

My Appleyards are large, calm natured, and they are the best egg layers in the heavy weight class and better egg layers than most of the middle weight breeds. I think they are the most beautiful of all (but I am biased)

Saxonies have lovely temperaments and are known as very good mothers. They are also very beautiful with their pastel color and pronounced eye stripes.

Cayugas are smaller, more lively, and have that gorgeous black shimmering color. I don't have Cayugas and don't know anyone with Cayugas, so can't tell you much about them except that they are exceptionally pretty.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Please be aware that temperament varies depending upon where you get your ducks.

I've bought 2 batches of Blue Swedish this year and the first were hysterical (and I don't mean funny). The ones I just received are real pests and I can't clean their breeder without all of them climbing up my arms and sitting in my hands.

2 batches of Appleyards and the first are large, very calm, don't get worked up about anything. The new little Appleyards in the brooder are little trouble makers. They are the first into everything. However, they are also the first to climb all over me, so I'm going to be happy with them.

Ducks from 3 different breeders and each batch has distinctly different temperaments.

 

[Emma909]

I have one Cayuga, one pekin, one buff, and one black Swedish. I have to say the buff or black Swedish are the nicest out of the bunch.

 

[Cuqui18]

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ive been doing some research but i cannot seem to find ANYTHING on saxonies!!! they sound wonderful though, are they usually loud ducks? i have very close neighbors...

 

[Cuqui18]

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if you wouldn't mind, would you be able to tell me a little bit more about your black swedish and buff? are they oud? high energy? what are their personality's like?

 

[Kaufmann's Backyard Farm]

Cayugas are the quietest ducks I have ever seen. They don't really quack, it is a different sound even. They are very pretty in the sunshine too with all the colors in their feathers.