We'll be ordering soon! I need help!

[Chick_a_dee]

Well we're upsizing the flock by 5 this spring (ordering in January from Performance Poultry), and adding a few ducks. My mum is very interested (or more like demands) in Button Quail as well.

1. I'm looking at Red Stars or EE's for our 5 new chicks, I really want those EE's, what do you think? 3 EE's 2 Red Stars?

2. Ducks! What breeds do you suggest? I was looking at White Pekin or White Muscovy. We're hoping to get 2, but 3 may be the answer.

3. DUCK HOUSING, do they need more space indoors than chickens? How about outdoors?

4. Button Quail, can they live in an insulated coop outside during the winter? What about run space? Do button quail even like going outside, they're teeny weeny! How many would you suggest to get?

 

[CindyS]

I guess it would depend on what you like. I like EEs they are nice chickens, lay pretty eggs and come in a variety of colors.but not red stars. I think they are not very pretty. if you want them strictly for eggs they are fine, but if you want to sell hatching eggs they are worthless. I dont like pekins or muscovys, but if you want a nice large meat duck or a duck that sets well then these would be good for you. As far as housing goes, they need a little shelter from the weather, and a place to go in at night away from predators. Dont know much about button quail, maybe someone else can help.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

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Yeah, we're just looking at keeping them around because we like ducks, the problem I have with the muscovy is since they're used in meat production, we'd probably have to ration food, and i feel much better if they have food all the time. I really like the classic look of the pekin, but i'm not sure, i'm open to other suggestions too! We wouldn't be selling hatching eggs, but im leaning more onthe EE's, very pretty and nice and chunky, like our RIR X's we have now.

 

[shelleyd2008]

All of it is just whichever you prefer. I would go with the EE's since my son loves anything unusual, and green or blue eggs are definitely that!
As for the ducks, I would go with the pekins, since they can't fly. Both are meat birds. All 3 of my breeds are meat birds, and I feed 50 lbs. about every 2-3 weeks for 10 birds. If you want something that is not going to eat you out of house and home, I would go with a call duck breed. Personally, I don't like the muscovies. I have heard they are very nasty, literally letting a poo stream out when they fly. Plus, like I said, they can fly very well, which wouldn't be that bad if you live in a very rural area. But if you need to keep them confined they would need a cover on the run or they will get out. As for housing, they rarely go indoors from what I have heard. I would just give them a 'tent' type structure, or three sided building. Make sure the fence is strong enough to keep predators out. They can be taught to go inside, but if left to their decision they would rather not.
Button quail are very cute and very tiny. You would most likely not be able to keep them outside unless they have a heat source. I have read they can be kept outdoors in temperate climates, where the lowest low is about 30 degrees. As for the number, that is up to you. You can keep a trio in a ten gallon fish aquarium, but it would either need to be all hens or a cock and two hens. It is best from what I have heard to not let quail on the ground to avoid diseases. Plus you aren't supposed to have them around chickens since they can catch things from or give things to each other. It is just safer with buttons to keep them inside.
If noise is a factor with ducks, I would go with either muscovy or cayuga. The muscovy do not quack at all, they have a raspy sound they make from what I have heard. Cayugas do quack, but it is not that loud. I have not heard my duck quack at all since I have gotten her. But the pekins drown out all sound. Those two are very loud!!

 

[Chick_a_dee]

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Cool, yeah from what i've read it seems that muscovies have an issue with killing each other when their feathers are coming in, that and they fly. We do live rural, so noise is no issue. I'll look into the call ducks as well.

 

[ncummins06]

Button quail need lots of places and ground cover to hide in. If you get a breeding pair, let babies are about the size of a bumble bee and can get out of fencing 1/2 inch wide. You would need to beef up the lower portion of your enclosure to prevent escapees. Also, buttons fly straight up and then horizontally when frightened. They can go up 10+ feet and sideways 60. I don't know about mixing species--I keep mine in an aviary with finches.

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

I would love to add a few ducks to our mix, too. My DH is wary as we have no pond. But I visited a farm where they just had a pool for their little ducks. They all seemed happy.
Those call ducks are just as cute as can be and I definitely would like some. But what about Runner Ducks and some Campbells. They are supposed to be good egg layers, too.
I wondered about housing, as well. Our chickens free range during the day and are locked up tight every night due to preditors.
Will ducks put themselves to bed, like our chickens do? Obviously they don't roost (do they?).

 

[Chick_a_dee]

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We decided on some Buff ducks, and I started building the duck house today. When we found a home for our sheep, we visited the farm she went to and he had his ducks and geese going to bed with the chickens at night in a coop. The ducks swam in a kiddy pool, and the geese had the large pond in one of the pastures. We're going to use a kiddy pond for now, until we can dig for a small pond in the spring.

Our chickens are in a run as predators are out all times here, and our ducks will have a pen as well, though we're fencing in the poultry-yard in the spring so they have some communal space as well.