Which are Friendly/Pet Duck Breeds

[fasbendera]

I have had chickens for the past 5 years. I grew up on a hobby farm and we had a variety of exotic birds and ducks along with common chickens and ducks.

I have finally talked my husband into one or two ducks. We have plenty of room for a couple of ducks. I was thinking of Pekins but I am looking for suggestions. I want a friendly duck that would be a pet and must mix well with chickens. I am not fond of the look of the Mouscovy breed (spelled wrong I am sure) but I love the look of the Pekins but I am open to other breeds.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

I love my female pekin. She is the sweetest thing to me, though kept alone. I'll sit in the patio with her and when she gets tired she'll crawl into my lap and drift off. That is until she craps on me, lol. She's in my avatar. Though I havn't kept any other ducks, I'm sure pekins are a great duck for someone who's new to them. Mine loves to be petted, I'm not too sure how they will act as far as tameness when kept with several other ducks. Good luck!

 

[fasbendera]

Can I have one duck or is it better to have two. I would do female either way & where is a good place to get chicks or eggs.

 

[thedoors5to1]

have two, they are very social animals and thier health and well being i personally think, thrives when they have someone to enjoy it with... i personally like runners, but pekins are awesome too.. cayuga's are pretty nice ducks, or muscovies

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Yeah, unless you have plenty of time to spend with a lone duck then get two.

 

[fasbendera]

Quote:
Your girl is beautiful. Where did you get her?

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:
ANY breed can make a friendly pet - it all depends on how much you handle them as ducklings. I have two mallards that are friendlier than my Pekin, because I've had them since they were a day old, while my Pekin was a 2-year-old cast off 4-H project when I acquired her.

Personally, I would encourage you to look into some of the rarer breeds (Anconas, Magpies, Hookbills, Silver Appleyards, Saxony, etc.) just because they're all great, and deserve a boost in numbers!

EDIT: All of these rarer breeds can be purchased as day-old ducklings from Holderread Waterfowl Farm (minimum order is 10), or you can find eggs from hobby breeders right here on BYC! There are quite a few of us "duck people" hanging around here