Which breed next?

[pteresa]

My family and I got three Welsh Harlequins last summer. We have a very small yard and didn't want a lot of birds but figured three would work since that way if one of them didn't make it we'd still have a pair which is much better than a singleton. Well, one of them did die, just last week, and now we are thinking we need to get another pair or three just in case. So we are considering different breeds and looking for advice.

The Welsh Harlequins were sent to us from Metzers since they will ship as few as two (for a price). Unfortunately they don't carry Anconas. From what I've read they sound like very nice birds. I also am very humored by Indian Runners, though I worry they may be too skittish for my 7-yr-old daughter to enjoy. Silkies are beautiful though I know nothing else about them. The Welsh Harlequins are providing enough eggs so production isn't a concern as much as tameness & friendliness.

So, what breeds do you like and why? Also, are there any other hatcheries that can ship very small quantities?

 

[jujubean99]

I have 3 ducks, a runner, a cayuga, and an unknown breed. I love them all, my cayuga is so nice and has a docile personality. My runner is funny and kinda dorky, but he is friendly too. My unknown breed is energetic and fun, but seeing as how I don't know what kind he is that is probably not very relevant. Efowl ships as little as 1 duckling, but they have high small order charges. The reason they can ship small numbers of birds is because they have a heating pad system they ship with the ducks (I think). Good luck finding some duckies!

 

[maralynn28]

So far...only wk 2 into my adventure...I'm more partial to my cayugas over my WH as far as personality. We have one who is so sweet, a piggy for treats, and the first one to run and greet us everytime. She even climbed into my 8yr old daughters lap the other day for some strips of lettuce. She seems really playful and sweet....I love ALL my duckies so far but my cayuga sweetie has definitely stolen the spotlight!

 

[gryeyes]

I added two Cayugas to my flock of chickens. The "straight run" luck of the draw gave me a pair: Thelma and Louie. They're adorable and very personable. Not really affectionate, but mellow enough. When I do have to pick one up, I can, and s/he settles down right away. Their black feathers turn beetle green in the sunlight!

 

[pteresa]

Thanks for the replies! I LOVE the coloring on Cayugas. I am a bit concerned though because we live in the high desert of the Southwest with very intense sunlight and I wonder if they'd overheat being so dark.

jujubean, I'll look into Efowl. That's how Metzer's ships also, with a heat pack and insulated box. And I guess with all ducks personality is an individual thing, so maybe a runner would be fine. They really do make me laugh whenever I see pics of them!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Quote:
I have worried about the same thing - and only kept of my Darker Indian runners hatched last year. Two of the younger girls were having problems with the heat at 6 weeks old. My daughter was deserate for me to keep one of them for her- But I have agreed to keeping it for the winter only- and then nest spring he will have to go live on a farm with a dam and plenty of water.

Also Black and chocolate ducks often start to loose some of their colour after about two years - and by the time they are 6 years old- can be almost white.

 

[toadbriar]

You could get Anconas if you bought them as eggs

It's kind of addictive!