What to do?

[Going Quackers]

Here is the thread on pools mine don't have anything fancy just a kiddy pool from the local home hardware lol


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/320654/duck-pond-pool-pictures

 

[zooweemama]

We do the small kiddie pools. My 10 year old is very capable of dumping it out and rinsing it out and refilling all by himself. My 8 year old is too but his duck chores are the waterers not the pools.

 

[zooweemama]

I'll take a crack at this:

Calls: Are a nice breed. Since noise factor is not a problem you should be fine. However, Call ducklings are very fragile when young so she must be extra careful when handling. Will you be buying locally? Because most people do not ship call ducklings. You said she liked the cuddly factor which is common for most bantam ducks. Silkies, Australian Spotted, and Black East Indie could be more hardy call alternatives.

Welsh Harlequin: A gorgeous breed that is fairly calm depending upon where you get your stock. They are quieter than most calls and females lay decent sized eggs. They have been known to go broody which could be a benefit if you want them to hatch out babies from your other birds.

Runners: I'm sorry but I would not recommend these for children. They are truly unique but all of mine seemed to be flighty. They are a bit more high strung than other breeds which I would worry about around a young child.

Pekins: Some people find them to be a "Boring" breed but I've found most to have a great personality. They can be a bit heavy which means they would go through more feed them some of the other breeds. However, they do lay some decent sized eggs for consumption. They aren't really a broody breed so you wouldn't have to worry about too many offspring.

Crested White: Please stay away from ALL crested specimens. They are much more prone to neurological issues than non crested ducks. I have first hand dealt with this issue and I would NEVER want a child to have to witness a seizure episode like that.

Ancona: I don't have experience with this breed but they are gorgeous.

Nice rundown, Kevin! For the entertainment factor alone - I agree with Pekins. They are my messiest, loudest, biggest, plainest looking but funniest breed I have so far. They are the most watched in our home for their antics. The Harlequins are really pretty and mine are quiet and calm.

Silkies def have that ooh and ahh factor though!

 

[Kevin565]

X3 on the Kiddie Pools. I set up a concrete pond and well it was a disaster. They are much more suited for koi and goldfish vs ducks. Yes Pekins are defiantly the comedians of the duck world! I've been thinking about adding some again. Right now I only have bantams again but I prefer the personality of standards. Silkies are absolutely gorgeous but after the terrible hatching experience GQ had with them I think I may stay away from those.

 

[LydiaB]

I am enjoying my Miniature Silver Appleyards. They are the friendliest ducklings that I have. They also seem to have more personality, and they are bantams so they won't eat as much. However, if flying is an issue you will need to clip their wings.

 

[PetesMom]

I still vote for Pekins

I myself have two jumbos, and three regular size (not that I see a difference lol) but they are SO much fun to watch and to be around....I still fail to understand why people call them boring

They are hilarious and there is nothing prettier then a clean white duck! My girls (and guy) make me laugh on a daily basis and are the first, aside from the needy gander, to greet me at the gate to be let out in the morning! I also still suggest atleast two as they are flock animals

 

[PetesMom]

And we also only use a kiddie pool....gets cleaned out about every 3 days or so as it gets filthy and starts to smell rather quickly

 

[folgerrd]

Mom wants three one for Audrey(future b-day girl) and the rest will be sort of belonging to everyone but named by the littles(nickname for two youngest). I have mentioned Pekins are highly recommended to her but she is leaning towards Calls still. And Audrey wants Calls because they stay little, otherwise she'd love a Pekin. To her as long as they end up white and start out solid yellow, she's one happy duck(pun intended)