Looking to add some ducks to my chicken flock. Any recommendations? Which are good breeds in that they're not too huge, messy, noisy or aggressive? Do they sell duck feed the way I buy chicken feed? Please give me some advice.
With ducks, there is never one that isnt messy. If you dont want a noisy duck, I reccommend muscovies, but they can get pretty big. If you dont want a big duck, I reccommend indian runners, cayugas (mediumish size), rouens (mediumish size), swedish (mediumish size).. and calls.. they're small but very noisy, all of these ducks are a bit loud when they want to be. Pekins are big, but laid back and not quite as loud. I'd reccommend a pekin for the beginner with ducks. None are aggressive towards humans, but when they're not raised with a certain duck then they can get a little "rhiny" with them.
I don't know of very many breeds of ducks, muskovy and mallards. Duck feed I believe is like chicken feed, 50# sacks. I do not know what the white ducks are called. Be sure and have a pond for them, and that the chickens won't drown in pond, you can put rocks in there for chickens to climb on in case they fall in. Good luck searching.
i have had Aylesburys , Rouens, Blue /black swedish,khaki cambels , Runners, Mallards , Calls , Wood ducks , pekins, Cresteds ,magpies , Anconas ,cyugas ,Buffs and muscoveys I liked khakis,callsAylesburys and roeuns(they eat alot ) Cyugas and muscoveys the best . My ducks alwasy lived with my chickens and they ate layer pellets . ANd they awere just fine with it
I think the most beautiful ducks are: Silver Appleyards, Welsh Harlequin and Saxony. But there is something to be said about pretty white dots on your pond and pasture: Pekin or Ayelsbury If you use chicken feed for your waterfowl, do not use medicated. You will find it very hard to find waterfowl feed, I never have. It's a very good idea to add some brewer's yeast to your duck feed for their first 6 months or so. Ducks won't be agressive if you raise them from babies and allow them to imprint on you. If you just turn them loose on a pond and never handle them, they can be pretty wild.
Thanks for the advice everyone! I've just about decided on Welsh Harlequins. Can anyone advise me on where to get some, and is it possible to sex them?