Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Tensing on June 26, 2006, 10:40

Title: What Duck
Post by: Tensing on June 26, 2006, 10:40

What Duck

Advice on what duck for a beginner.

I asked the other day for Pro’s and Con’s of Duck keeping, thank you for your replies. We have decided that we are defiantly going to get some ducks, just have to decide what, we have the pond being made at the moment..

So I need some advice on what type of ducks to get.

I need a breed duck that is

1)   Not to keen on flying
2)   Not to loud
3)   Friendly and doesn’t mind being handled
4)   A good layer
5)   A good one for beginners

Also is it okay to keep say two ducks of different breeds together, or is it better to get two of the same breed.

Sorry for all the questions

Title: What Duck
Post by: Rural Living on June 26, 2006, 17:25

Hi Caroline,

My personal observations are.

We dont find flying off a problem, many of the larger breeds cant fly, and if they know they are going to be fed regularly, they are happy to stay with you. If you do have a problem one, to stop them flying you just trim the wing feathers on one wing, they then become too unbalanced to fly.

We find ducks are like humans, whatever the breed some are mouthy and some are quiet.

Big ducks tend to be more scatty than calls, but the calls are not good layers, and the eggs are small anyway. So probably the best thing is to buy ducklings, and handle them regularly. Make sure they have been properly sexed before buying, you dont want to end up with a load of drakes.

Breeds I like.

Egg production, just rough figures

expect

American Pekin  100 - 130 eggs per year (Pure White Duck)

Aylesbury (mainly a table duck) up to 100 eggs per year (White Duck)

Rouen Duck (mainly a table duck) probably more friendly than other breeds. 60 - 90 eggs per year. (multi coloured very pretty)

Khaki Campbell Duck. (egg laying duck) in my experience a little scatty, 180 - 200 eggs per year (brown head, plummage khaki/reddish.

My favorites are the American Pekin and Rouen, but it is probably just because I particularly like them.

The only other thing to look for is to make sure they are healthy. Look at eyes, should be bright, the duck should normally try to get away from strangers.

Plummage should be clean and smooth. Check feet for any signs of calluses or sores., check the underside of feet.

Check the duck feels plump, but be careful with handling, if they are in lay.

Check the vent, it should be clean

Hope this helps

John

Title: What Duck
Post by: Tensing on June 27, 2006, 08:13

Thats great thanks, now all I need to do is find a breeder in Yorkshire.

Title: What Duck
Post by: workingbeardie on July 05, 2006, 13:50

:) hi i have runners and for me and the kids their good fun to watch and they dont eat my flowers or sratch up the ground,and the eggs are really orange ,not bad on taste either, i dont know where you are in yorkshire but i am on the border ,try the clitheroe aution mart on wed eveing for all poulty and fur :wink:

Title: What Duck
Post by: Tensing on July 06, 2006, 08:12

Quote from: "workingbeardie"

:) hi i have runners and for me and the kids their good fun to watch and they dont eat my flowers or sratch up the ground,and the eggs are really orange ,not bad on taste either, i dont know where you are in yorkshire but i am on the border ,try the clitheroe aution mart on wed eveing for all poulty and fur :wink:

Thanks for that