What's your favorite thing about ducks?

[Winter1]

I'm thinking about getting a couple pekins this spring, but all I get from family and friends are that all ducks do is eat and poop. Isn't that what all animals do

? So what are your favorite and least favorite things about owning ducks?


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[flossyfelix]

I legit don't have anything I dislike about my lovebirds! When they molt feathers they get everywhere... & They mud up the yard & dig holes digging for critters... But.. that's not really a big deal. I just happened upon being a duck mom, when a pair was given to me because the owner was "tired of them dirtying the chickens water" the Drake died like 2 days after I got them & me & the duck ended up spending a lot of time together. Flossy is my babygirl! Once I got to researching I figured she needed a friend, so I got Felix who is a hoot! I've had them for over a year & just recently got a little Runner duckling (Floss & Felix are Pekins)-- they are just an enjoyment to have! Their fun & funny! If I have a bad day, I go mess with them & instantly feel better! Sassyfras will be my first houseduck... & Im super excited! You should definitely get the ducks! Not too mention all the free eggs! Lol!

 

[Ducks4us]

Well i have ducks because i enjoy having something to go outside and take care of. Gives me something to do.
The do eat and poop alot. But They are excellent egg layers if you like eggs. This is the reason we originally got chickens- for eggs.
They are so entertaining and fun to watch. Very relaxing .
Cutest things ever to watch in a pool or a sprinkler.
they run thru the yard in the morning and eat worms like crazy.
We are starting a garden this spring. And we chose runner ducks because they are excellent pest / slug and snail control. As well as being excellent egg layers- 200 + per year.

 

[chickens really]

I love everything about Ducks.....They are like feathered puppies all their lives......It depends on what you want out of an animal ?.......They are always entertaining....

They do poop lots, dig holes, noodle your plants and make a heck of a mess with water........

I absolutely recommend Ducks.....


Cheers!

 

[Krazyquilts]

They do poop lots, dig holes, noodle your plants and make a heck of a mess with water........

I absolutely recommend Ducks.....


Cheers!

LOL! So very, very true! They are kinda messy but they are so worth it!

Ducks are hilarious - watching them run around and drill those little bills into everything they can reach and then run around with their bills all muddy or covered in my garden beds - which are extremely well fertilized, thanks to the ducks.

And watching them take that day's 50th bath and splashing water everywhere and then getting out to preen and then hopping right back in the pool again - so cute!

They are just so darn funny!

And duck eggs are a.maz.ing! Pancakes, popovers, cake, I'm almost drooling just thinking about all the delicious stuff you can make with duck eggs. (Actually some of the drool could be from the duck egg popovers I had for breakfast.) I'm not fond of duck eggs by themselves, but my husband says they make the best poached eggs he's ever had because the yolks are so creamy and he loves making 6 minute eggs too (hard boiled eggs). I made him some turmeric brine for pickling hard boiled eggs, but he can't refrain from eating them as soon as he's peeled them!

Plus, owning ducks (or being owned by ducks if we are being truthful) is the ultimate ice breaker at any kind of social gathering. You very quickly find out which people are actually worth talking to, based on their reaction: "WHY would you have ducks?!?" vs "Really? You have ducks? I didn't know you could have ducks." The first response means you can move on, the second means that you can whip out the 47,852 photos and 3,910 videos of your flock.

 

[Ducks4us]

Plus, owning ducks (or being owned by ducks if we are being truthful) is the ultimate ice breaker at any kind of social gathering. You very quickly find out which people are actually worth talking to, based on their reaction: "WHY would you have ducks?!?" vs "Really? You have ducks? I didn't know you could have ducks." The first response means you can move on, the second means that you can whip out the 47,852 photos and 3,910 videos of your flock.

This makes me laugh.... its so true... really any animal
conversation in general. If people act repulsed by the fact that i have 4 dogs or ducks outside they really arent worth visiting with any longer

 

[Winter1]

Thanks so much for all the replies! Here's a couple more questions.

My family thinks all ducks are mean, what's your experience with mean ducks, or have you had any?

If I got 2, what gender combinations are possible? Like 2 drakes, 2 hens, or a drake and a hen?

And, about how much time do you spend with your ducks? We have a bunch of critters including (but not limited to) horses, chickens, cats and dogs, fish, and several hermit crabs and everyone says we don't have the time for any more animals.

Thank you all so much!


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[hesklj2008]

I always thought I didn't want ducks-muddy, messy, blah blah. But then I hatched one for a friend last year and loved it so much I wouldn't give him to her. He died (he was too slow for our dog), and I just cried.

Now, the dog is gone (unrelated to the Luther slaughter) so my same friend gave me two more eggs to hatch. One never developed and the other hatched this morning. It already thinks I am Mama andthats jizt the way I like it!

 

[Ducks4us]

Thanks so much for all the replies! Here's a couple more questions.

My family thinks all ducks are mean, what's your experience with mean ducks, or have you had any?

If I got 2, what gender combinations are possible? Like 2 drakes, 2 hens, or a drake and a hen?

And, about how much time do you spend with your ducks? We have a bunch of critters including (but not limited to) horses, chickens, cats and dogs, fish, and several hermit crabs and everyone says we don't have the time for any more animals.

Thank you all so much!


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If i could only have 2, i would get two hens for sure.
Drakes will fight, and one drake with one hen tends to overbreed... and can injure/ kill her.
2 hens will get along great.
I have never met a mean duck but i have heard people say in spring/ breeding season they can get a little territorial
I spend around an hour each evening with my ducks. Purely for my own pleasure/ relaxation.
Morning takes abot 10 minutes to feed and refill water buckets, same in evening

 

[Vyctoria]

I adore my ducks and am already getting more of them this year. I think my favorite part is their comical personalities and all of the quacking. They get excited and run down the fence to quack at me from their pen every time I leave the house and come home from work. They're fairly personable and their antics just cheer me up every time. I think puppies are a pretty accurate description.

I even own a drake and have never experienced any aggressive behavior at all. I would definitely second Ducks4us about getting 2 hens. You'll get twice the eggs that way and none of the boy drama.