Only had mine a year now, but love them like crazy. They are way tame, but spent some time doing that. They stick together, one male, 6 females, like a cloud, and move as one unit. Lay eggs like crazy, all winter long, some two a day, big healthy eggs with huge yolks, great for baking and egg dishes, any baker or cook would give their right arm to have a daily supply of these eggs. Easy, easy to keep, give them fresh bedding, water supply and feed once a day, they're perfectly happy. Will nest in cardboard boxes on the outside porch and come home every evening unasked. Guess it's all in how you raise them. Can see if you don't pay attention, they might not be the breed for you, but as pets, a little time goes a long way. Of course they are fatty, that's the duck you buy in the grocery store, i.e., Long Island, but those are Jumbo Pekins. The smaller breed is best to keep around for eggs and to round out your smaller farm. They don't demand a pond, are perfectly happy with a little pool, and do forage well. Just my experience, guess I got a good batch. Can't complain about them being messy, they are, but they're ducks for goodness sake. What do you want? Can't potty train a duck, chicken or any other fowl, they'll poop when and where they want to. And duck poop is great fertilizer, use their soiled bedding right in your garden between rows, not like chicken poop, it is ready to be used right away. Watch your garden explode! Tamed enough to eat from hand, and will come when called. It's all in how they're raised, like any other.
Reviews by ducklucky
Red Stars, and even the Black Stars, are sweet birds, super friendly, think they believe they are your children. We order some of these every year from McMurray and have never been disappointed. Have a few now, we raise them for a fellow farmer, and have a black star similar to the picture, think she is a cross between the two, all black but a red head, her name is Lucille and she has been with us about 3 years. She's my baby girl and loves to be cuddled and still produces. They are all lovely birds, and would highly recommend them, especially if you have children, they like to be handled. The only issue we have had is that they don't have a long life span, think it's due to the fact they lay very young and produce so much, they get worn out faster. That and they're so friendly and trusting, they almost give themselves up to predators. I'm actually surprised Lucille is still with us, she's starting to show her age, but she is the coop queen. Will be getting some day olds in the spring for sure! 
