Well sad story, I had my 5 three week old Mallards in the pool for a swim today, went around the side of the house to do some work and after a while heard the ducks squawking, so I ran down and found my Shepherd had killed them all. I'm so bummed. I never thought in a million years she would do that. She had always been the protector, always guarding them. I guess they probably got spooked and jumped out of the pool, and the chase was on. Can't say it's totally her fault, just doing what she's programed to do. Anyway I was thinking of getting some Silver Appleyard eggs. Just wondering what they are like. Are they a good choice for people with little experience? Will they get along ok with chickens. Just trying to get some general info on them. Thanks, Chris
So sorry for your loss! My dog got a couple of my chickens, sometimes you think they are just fine, and then you find out for sure the hard way. I have no experience with ducks, and am still trying to convince my DH that we should get some... after I convinced him I need, chickens... then quail, then chukar, then another type of quail... He's getting a little harder to convince... I know that there are a lot of people with experience with this breed of duck, and am interested in learning abut them myself, Hope they chime in soon!
I have 8 of them and they are commical - they aren't that old and are just starting to get their feathers in. They are great scavengers and all 8 of them love to pile in the kiddy pool together - but my favorite thing is turning on the water hose and they line up in a row and stick their chest out for me to spray them!!! They aren't the friendliest but that may be because I have 8 and they stick together - there is one that always gets left behind and then has to run to catch up. they clean under the chickens pens and pick thru grass. They are not flyers, and grow quickly. I guess that's all I can think of to say about them.........
I have some Mini-Silver Appleyards for a year now. My female is very friendly and noisy as a baby, she also tries to jump or fly out of the pen alot when I raise the roof. The males are very pretty , but not as friendly ..could be i used to handle her alot as a baby. I can pick her up easily. FWIW
I have raised the Mini Appleyards too for several years. They have always been my calmest, friendliest ducks. They are beautiful too (same color as Snowy Calls). I *love* them, probably my favorite breed overall.
Quote:Yes! My appleyards do the same thing with the hose! They also try to eat the water. Appleyards will eat out of my hand. They are very friendly. They don't like to be picked up but once you do they just lay there. The females will quack when they see you and are definetly noisier than my Cayugas but not too noisy. Their eggs are fantastic! Huge white eggs that crack perfectly! They are great layers. They lay an egg a day and have since January! I like them so much that I ordered more Appleyard ducklings (which I recently received) to build up my flock. Next year I will incubate eggs. This year I am also trying Saxony, Dutch Hookbills, and Welsh Harlequins. I definitely would recommend Appleyards. I have heard that Holderreads strain lays more than Sandhill's.
