What are ducks like??? Im thinking about getting one but what the benefits of them other than there

[Katelyn11]

I'm thinking about getting a duck. I already have 6 chickens, does that matter?? do they get along?? can someone give me some insight as to why i should get a duck!!! What the benefits/ disadvantages? what do they produce? lol Any information would be good. i have no clue tell me EVERYTHING you know please

 

[AmandaVirus]

The pros (compared to chickens):

More disease/ parasite resistant
Very simple housing requirements (no roosts, nesting boxes, ect)
More cold hardy
Generally better foragers
Depending on breed, they can sometimes outlay a chicken (Khaki Campbell, Welsh Harlequin, and the mutts that were bred for production, Golden 300, ect)
More nutrient dense eggs (and larger)
Won't usually destroy a garden when foraging
Only need a 2-3 ft fence to confine them

Cons:

Messy! Any mud puddle will become twice it's original size, they fling mud and poop, any drinking/swimming water will get dirty fast and need to be cleaned out often. They also manage to poop on the walls of their house sometimes.
Their poop is a bit smellier
They eat a bit more
More prone to predators (because they roost on the ground)

Those are the ones I can think of. A duck should get along fine with your chickens as long as they are properly introduced, but I would recommend getting at least 2, so they can do "duck things" together.

Don't forget to check out the sticky threads at the top of the duck forum page, loads of good info there!

 

[Call Queen]

I definitely prefer my duckies to my chooks, but that's just my personal opinion! Ducks can be kept for eggs or meat, or just to have something cute and entertaining around...... I started with one little cutie (call duck) now I have over 50

 

[shicks0211]

they are addictive, i started with 4 ducklings, and now I have about 20..and 12 eggs that haven't hatched yet. Mine aren't layers..but they do lay eggs..i just don't gather them,

 

[Going Quackers]

Can you get ahold of a copy of Storey's guide to ducks? he puts it well.

As with chickens their are pro's & con's. Ducks are good foragers, they don't dig either BUT they adore water and water brings mud, so they definitely win the prize for messier, as well unless you go with bantam breeds they require more room.

I also think most breeds do better with either quite large areas or free ranging, they don't confine as well as some chicken breeds can. They eat more too, to get proper waterfowl feed can be tricky.

All that said, they are less prone to disease, as Storey's guide says, provided with, bathing water, a clean, a well fed environment usually health issues are minimal.

Their eggs can be sold for more, they are harder to get, rarely can one just go to the store for a duck egg, they make good baking products and are alternatives for those allergic to chicken eggs.

I have both but am mainly ducks, i think it more depends on your purpose than anything else, plus each breed offers a few different things that may make it more worthwhile or not lol

Ducks can be kept with chickens but some cautions, one as young their feed needs are different, so i would suggest reading over
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

as well if you get any drakes(male ducks) you must be careful they don't try to mate with them, a hen can be lost from this. I would also recommend at least a pair, so the duck can share it's ducky ways vs being alone. The mess the ducks make of an area maybe not be the ideal environment for the chickens either. Mine are not housed nor run together, this means each others needs are met vs compromising.

 

[RouenDuck]

We keep our ducks and chickens together, and they get along ok. Once we got ducks and chickens (as chicks) and they got along great together!

 

[cosbackyard]

My chickens and ducks get along fine. But my drake isn't mature yet. I may have to separate them when he gets to breeding age because they mate aggressively, and with just about anything that moves.

As for pros and cons I like Amanda's list alot.
It cannot be overstated just how messy ducks are, though. They trash my coop in a couple of days. Poop practically up the walls. And they have no defense capabilities at all. They can't fight, they can't fly, they can't hide, they can't run. If predators can get near them they're gone.

But they're healthy, they lay eggs, and they're extremely entertaining.

Not for everyone, for sure.

 

[CT]

I have five chickens (hens), five female ducks, and two drakes. They get along fine, and even share the coop (although i plan to build separate housing for the ducks to make cleaning and egg collection easier). My drakes have never tried to mount a chicken hen. Also, they seem about as keen to danger as the chickens, maybe more so because at least the drakes aren't ALWAYS foraging and look up once in a while. The OP said "a duck" but I would recommend at least a pair. Ducks are much more hive-minded than chickens, and are more interested in being part of the gang than in pecking order.

 

[Katelyn11]

thankyou so much guys for all of your help and iinformation. i have looked into it a bit more and have decided not to get one as i find my 6 chicken enough to handle and the moment. Thanks so much guys, it good to know that im not weird by wanting a duck. thanks

 

[AvianEgo]

Research breeds. I have saxonies with my chickens. They are a large relatively quiet breed which get along fine with the chickens. But i introduced them when they were both little.