[raeburg]

calling the duck experts:

Do you think the following is suitable for some ducks, if so how many?

Edit: Long link removed

[raeburg]

Bit of a rethink about the pond thing.  I've found a stone sink which I thought the hens might like as a dust bath.  I sure I can make/find a plug and then it could hold water to a depth of about 5 inches.  would this be enough for ducks?

[Kate and her Ducks]

5" should be fine. Mine much prefer their  5-6" trug tub type thing to their deeper pond. If you could under dig the area under the pond And fill it with gravel or something easy draining so that you can just pull the plug on the sink you will save yourself loads of hassle.

[Hawkins]

Yeah about time too rae, ducks are fab. Like kate mine prefer there plastig trug type thing to the corner bath we spent hours digging into the ground and adding drainage.

Trouble is when 2 aylesbury girls and the khaki get in the trug the water doesnt last very long its like a ducky merry go round.

Good tip about the gravel as well kate for drainage.

[raeburg]

Rightho, the question now is what sort of ducks..I don't want to worry anyone but my plot is between a railway line and a canal.  I don't want them to think the canal is better!

I like the look of silver appleyard ducks.

[Kate and her Ducks]

Silver Appleyards are lovely ducks. Mine had been a great layer, was a great broody last year and is very pretty. The boys are also big enough to be good table birds if you are that way inclined.

I also like Welsh harlequins as really pretty ducks and they can be great layers. I've not had mine long enough to say whether they live up to their reputation.

Don't think I will bother with Campbells againas just too skittish.

And then of course there are Patrick babies!

[raeburg]

Don't know wether to go down the hatching route or look for some adult birds

[Kate and her Ducks]

POL does give you the advantages of knowing exactly what you are getting in terms of breed, colouring and of course, gender. Most ducks got from a breeder though will not be hand tame and I have found that even those I got at 6 weeks old have never got as tame as those I have hand raised. The real downside though is what you do with all the boys.

[raeburg]

I haven't been able to source any silver appleyards so have bought some eggs...  Broody orpington hen awaits

[Kate and her Ducks]

Wonderful!!! Means more duckling pics for all of us  

I got my Appleyard from a place near Oswestry but that might be a bit far if you are in Warwickshire.

[raeburg]

I've just candled the silver appleyard eggs (aren't they big) and 5 out of 7 are going at 2 weeks

[Kate and her Ducks]

That's great news!  Ducklings in no time.