What should a chicken keeper know about ducks?

[CoriM]

On that note, if you have pekins, supplement with extra niacin from the beginning!

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

- How prone are female ducks to reproductive issues?
not very prone ducks are very very hardy
- If they do get sick, are they harder, easier, or same to treat as chickens? e.g., I can give oral or intramuscular medication to a chicken pretty easily, could I do that with a duck, too? Is their anatomy more difficult or something?
yes you can treat like a chicken for the most part

- Could we only have drakes? We would like to start with a smaller flock (3 ducks), but I know that 2:1 is not an excellent ratio. So what if they were all male? Could it work?
two hens to on drake would be okay most likely. might have to watch for over breeding but ive done this with success.

- Could they be as affectionate as chickens usually are when you raise them as pets?
this is controversial. and depends on how you look at it. i have raised 95% of my ducks straight from hatching. do they want to be picked up and pet. no. will they be mean if you do. no. now just like ppl every duck has there own personality. given enough time and effort. you might get lucky to have a duck that will like the affection.
- Are they noisier than chickens? I don't mind the noise, but perhaps my new neighbors will.
hens are loud and can be very loud. having only 2 or 3 wouldnt be a deal breaker in town but like me who has 25 at one point i had 50 there is no way if i had neighbors close that i could do that. drakes are quiet though
- Any breed you'd recommend? I like Pekins but my bf may prefer Rouens, could we have both?
both are good choices. really comes down to what you want from them. are you going to eat them? or is it for eggs. or just pets. personally my favorite duck is a ancona. very mild temperment they are relatively quiet compared to other breeds and excellent egg layers.

- What general advice would you give to a person who's always had chickens and wants to try ducks?

be ready to have water at all times. the mud sucks the way they give you the side eye might make you go crazy...

the side eye LOL. my 2 drakes always looking at me that way LOL