We have 4 Runners, we are looking to add 2 more ducks looking for a winter hearty duck because we live in New Hampshire and we have harsh winters. Also would like a good egg layer, possible a duck that does not need a mate since we have all females. They would have a nice coop, out door run, pool, pond and gardens What breeds?
I have been very happy adding buffs to my runner flock. They are chunkier, and seem happier at lower temperatures than the runners do. Good layers, good foragers, a little shy but they were rescues.
More runners? We have rouens, khakis, and runners and will be adding three more runners this spring. They seem to be wonderfully hardy ducks.
i have welsh harlequin ducks, i love them they cant really fly are VERY pretty and prolific layers...Mine are now just starting to lay! i really wish i would have ordered more!
X2 on the welsh harlequins. i am thinking of getting rid of all my indian runners and just keeping welsh harlequins. They seem to do better in the cold.
Welsh!! I ordered some 2 years ago (3 hens and a male) then ordered some more last spring. Lost ALOT to a predator, and now I ordered more. They are my favorite breed. I do also like runners. I order some of them as well. So far I have ordered the welsh though in spring 3 times in a row. Mine were good egg layers in spring/summer. But when the raccoon or whatever got most of them had attacked, they stopped laying. But I always got a egg a day for each of those hens. good luck.
Pekins are good with the cold but my buffs and black Swedish girls are cold hardy all a around great personalities happy w/ life and do really good accepting babies into the flock. Not to mention they want to swim in freezing weather when my Pekins and crested want no parts of the water so they must like it cold.
How about Cayugas? I love mine. They're also a bit less noisy than many other breeds... The gals, like all duck hens, are loud when they are annoyed, but don't quack more than a few times when upset. They are talkative, but it's not loud quacking. Plus that gorgeous greeny-purple iridescent sheen to their black feathers. The girls start getting white feathers after a while, some more quickly than others. I love my Cayugas. One duck brooded and hatched 15 ducklings; 14 survived (and it was her first clutch). Doubled the size of my duck flock just like that!
I have had good luck with my Khaki Campbells - great layers, good foragers, and very winter hardy. They are a bit skittish but I have them trained to go into their enclosure for an afternoon feeding and they go right in the coop after dark. Of course I have read the same about Welsh Harlequins which are prettier. But I love my Khakis!
