What kind of Duck should I get????

[aurorarose25]

I am looking for a small or dwarf duck, that is friendly and low maintenance. And good with Bantams.
Is there such a thing as a low maintenance duck ?

Please let me know since it would be my first time with a duck.

 

[jvls1942]

I only know of a Manderin (sp?)

most ducks are low maintenance..

 

[FrenchHen]

Here's the breed selection tips page from Holderread Farm.

Edited for bad grammar

 

[LilDucky85]

Quote:
Are we talking about the same animal here? lol. I have 4 Pekins, 1 crested Pekin, one Runner that are 2 months old, and 3 two week old Mallards. The only time they were easy to take care of was...well, before I got them. From incubating, to hatching, to brooding, to adulthood...it's a lot of work. The only day Ive gotten a day off from cleaning them was on Mothers Day. That day I said sorry duckies, but this is my day! lol. Of course if you just have a few its easier to maintain. My 3 ducklings will be released when they are old enough and I will remain with 7. Although they are a lot of work Im so happy with them! They're great and I love my messy duckies!

 

[momof247371]

call ducks are small but can be a little noisy, and yea your right, none are low maintanence, but they sure are cute! and their antics are addictive

 

[LilDucky85]

Thats true, Call ducks sound like what you're looking for. Calls were my origional plan until the local breeder sold her calls after she said she would sell me eggs. How rude. Then I was told Calls dont ship well, and are hard to incubate so I resorted to Pekins. I knew little about duck breeds at the time, but now probably would have gone with something impressive like Mandarin Ducks, or Wood Ducks.

Do you have ducks already?

 

[austinhart123]

call ducks are nice bantam ducks, kinda loud though.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
Are we talking about the same animal here? lol. I have 4 Pekins, 1 crested Pekin, one Runner that are 2 months old, and 3 two week old Mallards. The only time they were easy to take care of was...well, before I got them. From incubating, to hatching, to brooding, to adulthood...it's a lot of work. The only day Ive gotten a day off from cleaning them was on Mothers Day. That day I said sorry duckies, but this is my day! lol. Of course if you just have a few its easier to maintain. My 3 ducklings will be released when they are old enough and I will remain with 7. Although they are a lot of work Im so happy with them! They're great and I love my messy duckies!

I think so.. maybe we should define easy maintanance.. I have a trio of chocolate muscovys and a pair.. here are 8 incubator babies running around outside also.. then I have 9 swedes left out of 12..

I keep the babies out of the bator in a brooder in the house for 2 or 3 days.. then it is out to the movable brooder pen with them..

feed , water and move the pen once or twice a day.. when they are about a week old or maybe two and the weather is nice they get turned loose during the daytime.. everything gets locked down at night, except a few of the adult geese..

that is easy maintenance..