What comes first, the chicken or the...duck?

[cracking up]

Depending on the type of bugs you're trying to control, ducks love slugs and snails - my chickens won't touch them unless I squash them first.

 

[gryeyes]

I got my chickens first, last October, 2009, as 2 day old chicks. On Feb 18, 2010, I went to the same feed store to buy a few more chicks, and 2 ducklings came home with the four chicks I bought that day.

I love 'em all.

BUT - ducklings grow up really fast. My nine week old (if I'm doing the math correctly) "ducklings" are DUCKS now. Here's a photo of them in their new swimming tub.

Chickens are easier. Ducklings are cuter but don't stay "duckling cute" for as long as chicks stay cute. Ducklings never really get that "scraggly adolescent" look that chicks go through. They just get visibly larger every day, still in duckling down, until suddenly they're ducks, with not quite filled out wings. Chicks put all their early growing effort into developing feathers. Ducklings just get bigger.

Then, suddenly, they're ducks. Chicks stay chicks longer. Ducks don't need supportive heat as long as do chicks.

Just because I did, I tend to suggest folks start with chickens first, for a season. Then add ducks. ;-)