Which Duck Breed Is Best for Pets?

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

Hi everyone! So, for years, I have wanted 2 or 3 ducks of my own. We have plenty of space for them and everything to make them happy. But I would like to know which breed to go with. The breeders I am using have a variety to choose from. Obviously, my first choice that they have available is call ducks. But they are a bit too expensive. (Which makes me really sad cause they’re my dream ducks.) But they have many more to choose from:

• Pekins
• Black Runners
• Mallards
• Khaki Campbells
• Rouens

Please let me know which one you think will be the friendliest, most playful breed since they will be our pets. (Also we don’t want skittish ones, since our dog loves birds and would want them to be friendly with him.)

 

[Callender Girl]

I LOVE my runner ducks. Their upright posture makes them endlessly amusing, especially when they get excited. Quinn, my duck queen, positively jumps up and down with enthusiasm. They aren't overly noisy and are great foragers.

They are frequently "rounded up" by my American Buff geese, who herd them across the yard; it looks like school kids during a fire drill. No one is running, but they're all moving swiftly in a row.

And, there's no worry about runners flying away; their tiny wings won't let them get airborne for more than a second or two. A 2-foot fence is enough to keep them confined.

HOWEVER, are they cuddly ducks? Absolutely not. Quinn is the only one who really doesn't mind being petted. But they will all eat out of my hand because more than anything, runners love to eat.

In other words, maybe not the best choice but they certainly have their good qualities.

Good luck finding the best breed for you and yours!

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

@Callender Girl they sound adorable! My chameleon’s name is Quinn lol. I do think we may go with pekins. I have found another really nice breeder (a lot friendlier than the previous one and less expensive) who is willing to sell only 2 ducklings to us within 2 days of hatching. All the research I’ve done on pekins seems to sound promising. Any thoughts on them?

 

[indianaducks]

I have a mixed flock but out of the list you mentioned, I have mallards, runners, pekins and a khaki campbell (as well as others). I love the runners because they are comical and silly. The mallards are smart and have some survival instincts, but they can fly. The pekins are just your adorable stereotypical aflac duck and are hard not to love, but they are big and people here have said they can be prone to leg issues. The khaki campbell has not made an impression on me. All mine are still young though. About 3 months give or take.

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

As @fatty and friends has said in many other threads, it's about how you raise the ducklings into adults, rather than the breed you choose.

So far it's working for me! I've heard that Khaki Campbells are supposed to be super unfriendly, but in my 2 week old ducklings (I know I know, they're still young ) the KC is the most attached to me.

I think they ended up imprinting on me as well! They scream when I leave the coop, and yesterday, when we did an outdoor activity, they followed me in a row! I've spent most of my time out with them since day one, working on my computer, or reading a book. Oh, and! They're day old feed-store ducklings, so they didn't imprint on me during incubation or anything.

Based on this info, I think you should get the ones that are prettiest to you and fit all of the egg laying qualities you would like. Once you have them, make sure to spend lots of time with them, and cuddles!!

Best of luck to you!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Of those that you’ve listed, I’ve only had Pekins (well, just one) and Rouens. My current flock has three Rouen hens. None of them were raised by me. I obtained Daphne, my oldest, over three years ago when she was two. My other two Rouens, Puddleduck and Matilda, were purchased over the winter as friends for Daphne. They are two years old. Despite being raised elsewhere, they are very outgoing. They have huge personalities and they never fail to put a smile on my face. They also seem marginally smarter than my dear Pekin was. My Pekin, Margie, was sweet and gentle, but she unfortunately passed away from a mystery illness a few months after I got her. From what I’ve heard, Pekin ducks tend not to live very long lives. So, my vote is for Rouens!

 

[CoriM]

I think all your breeds have potential to make great pets if you spend lots of time with them, bring them treats, etc. And of course each individual bird has a unique personality, so even within breeds you'll find differences. Of your chosen breeds I only have experience with Pekins. I have three and they're all pretty different. One is more stand-offish and nervous, one comes running to the door to say hi and get pet, and my third is just really calm and sweet. But I've had troubles with limps, bumblefoot, and now soft-shelled eggs. It seems like it's always something I'm trying to take care of with my pekins, a bit more so than the welsh harlequins which are half the size. But I do love them and they're pretty. My husband forbids me from more pekins! I would definitely advise getting more than two though, because if something happens to one you'll have a distraught lonely duck on your hands. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Percipen]

Runners!! I love everything about runners. My favorite breed BY FAR. They come in so many colors too!!

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

As @fatty and friends has said in many other threads, it's about how you raise the ducklings into adults, rather than the breed you choose.

So far it's working for me! I've heard that Khaki Campbells are supposed to be super unfriendly, but in my 2 week old ducklings (I know I know, they're still young ) the KC is the most attached to me.

I think they ended up imprinting on me as well! They scream when I leave the coop, and yesterday, when we did an outdoor activity, they followed me in a row! I've spent most of my time out with them since day one, working on my computer, or reading a book. Oh, and! They're day old feed-store ducklings, so they didn't imprint on me during incubation or anything.

Based on this info, I think you should get the ones that are prettiest to you and fit all of the egg laying qualities you would like. Once you have them, make sure to spend lots of time with them, and cuddles!!

Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the advice! Fortunately, I work solely from home because of the rescue centre and everything, and even when out of lockdown I’ll only be gone for 3 or 4 hours in the morning. So I will literally be spending every waking hour with the ducklings! I think that’ll make them very tame. That strategy has worked with most of my animals.

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

I think all your breeds have potential to make great pets if you spend lots of time with them, bring them treats, etc. And of course each individual bird has a unique personality, so even within breeds you'll find differences. Of your chosen breeds I only have experience with Pekins. I have three and they're all pretty different. One is more stand-offish and nervous, one comes running to the door to say hi and get pet, and my third is just really calm and sweet. But I've had troubles with limps, bumblefoot, and now soft-shelled eggs. It seems like it's always something I'm trying to take care of with my pekins, a bit more so than the welsh harlequins which are half the size. But I do love them and they're pretty. My husband forbids me from more pekins! I would definitely advise getting more than two though, because if something happens to one you'll have a distraught lonely duck on your hands. Good luck and enjoy!

Although I think we are almost 100% going to get pekins now, I am a bit worried about all the leg problems I have heard about. But I’m sure having the best care medically and having lots of exercise and space will help prevent some of that. I am thinking about getting three (since the idea of having three little ducks in a row appeals to me already) But I’ll have to wait and see. Thank you!