What duck breeds are good for beginners? (currently all hypothetical)

[black_cat]

I am planning for pretty far in the future, and would like to get some ducks. (In the future-not happening soon) What breeds are good? I would like to start with 6. I was thinking 2 pekin, one chocolate runner, and one blue runner, but wasn't sure on the other two. Do these breeds work well together? Is it better to start with just one breed? Can different breeds be together at all? What breed(s) could be good for the other two?

 

[Maddog_photog]

I have 2x Swedish Blue which I’ve read are wonderful beginner’s ducks. I absolutely love mine, and would highly recommend.

 

[black_cat]

I have 2x Swedish Blue which I’ve read are wonderful beginner’s ducks. I absolutely love mine, and would highly recommend.

Thank you! They are ADORABLE! I'll look into the breed.

 

[Maddog_photog]

I just looked them up, and oh goodness! They are quite something. In my evil plans for the future (which can be read about here) Noise isn't an issue. I was thinking about the other breeds because I have seen a lot about them on BYC, and they are adorable.

If your plans for the future are evil, ducks will be perfect for you! I was just telling my friend today, and there’s a user on BYC that will back me up: “Ducks were made without 4 things: 1) Sphincter muscles, 2) Salival glands, 3) teeth, and 4) Moral Compasses.”

 

[black_cat]

If your plans for the future are evil, ducks will be perfect for you! I was just telling my friend today, and there’s a user on BYC that will back me up: “Ducks were made without 4 things: 1) Sphincter muscles, 2) Salival glands, 3) teeth, and 4) Moral Compasses.”

They're not very evil. They mostly involve graduating college, getting an acre of land, and getting a bunch of birds.

 

[AA Maple]

For me Evil Plans ™ (they're not very evil) (the evil planning thread is linked earlier in this thread) I'd have quite a few chickens as well. I was planning on keeping them separate, but maybe I could put their runs next to each other? My list has become:
- 1 Pekin
-1 Chocolate Runner
-1 Blue Runner
-1 Blue Swedish
-2 Khaki Campbells (Possibly 1 drake)

Like I said, mine are all getting along fine in the yard. The duck that was raised with the chickens is part of the flock with them and the pekins that are much younger and raised and housed separately seem to want to follow them around. There must be some sort of safety in numbers instinct?
What will be most interesting is to see who the Rouen drake makes a play for when he comes of age. I'd bust my sides laughing if he tries to have a go at the chickens, though I do plan to keep a half dozen of the Pekins around for laying after the rest head for the freezer.

 

[orloffer]

I don't know anything about ducks, but I hear that Muscovy ducks are quiet compared to other breeds. You have to get used to their looks, however.

 

[black_cat]

I don't know anything about ducks, but I hear that Muscovy ducks are quiet compared to other breeds. You have to get used to their looks, however.

I just looked them up, and oh goodness! They are quite something. In my evil plans for the future (which can be read about here) Noise isn't an issue. I was thinking about the other breeds because I have seen a lot about them on BYC, and they are adorable.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

my boys are definitely more quiet then my girls. i love pekins just because of how big they are. my pekin boy is super cuddly. most people say khaki campbell are skittish, but my girl follows me around and loves to be carried.

 

[black_cat]

my boys are definitely more quiet then my girls. i love pekins just because of how big they are. my pekin boy is super cuddly. most people say khaki campbell are skittish, but my girl follows me around and loves to be carried.

Ok, thank you! My current list is:
-1 pekin
-1 chocolate runner
-1 blue runner
-1 blue swedish
-1 khaki campbell
I will probably double up on one of these breeds! Thank you everyone for suggestions.