Duck questions

[Ecarroll]

Okay, so I don’t have any ducks yet, but I have been raising chickens for about 2 years now. I am wanting to get 3 ducklings next spring, to keep with my chickens. I have been doing lots of research, but have a couple questions that I want answered from you guys.

I’m thinking I want to order shipped from Meyer hatchery, as I hear good things about them and they are a closish big hatchery (in Ohio I’m in Massachusetts but most are in the southwest or Midwest) any ways just wondering about there ducks, as I’ve mostly heard about chickens.

I want ducks for eggs, but would like at least one to be a more freindly breed. I want to get multiple different breeds, all female as I am keeping them with my chickens. I was thinking about getting a khaki Campbell, a blue Swedish and either a runner duck or one of the hybrids (golden layer/white layer). Are these layer hybrid ducks similar to the layer hybrid chickens, which have reproductive problems at 2 years, often causing their death?

Also wondering about runner ducks, I see a lot of people saying they are good layers, and eat less food for the amount of eggs they produce. But Meyer says their ducks only lay 100-180 a year, I am guessing this is because they have been bred to look fancier not really focusing on egg laying. So I’m wondering what hatcheries do have good runner ducks for a reasonable price?

Do ducks need more ventilation in the coop?
Will just three ducks really “ruin” my pond? I also plan to provide them a kitty pool in the run for when they can’t be free rangeing (I go on and off with my chickens).

Thanks for listening to all my newbie questions!

Here’s my pond when full (it dries out a bit when we don’t get rain for a while) I didn’t have a picture of it not frozen so…

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ducks have very different needs than chickens, and are much messier. If you intend to keep them with in the same coop you'll need to keep on top of the additional humidity.

I've found Khaki Campbells are skittish by nature even when hand reared, and heard that runners are similar. My Magpie were very friendly when raised by hand, although they became more skittish from not being interacted with as much and being with other ducks.

Ducks on the whole are more seasonal layers, at least mine are here in Cold Cold Eastern Ontario. I don't expect any more eggs from them until March or April. I don't mind as it gives them a break. I don't know how old she is, probably over five, but my eldest one still lays consistently during the warmer weather.

As for the pond, it all depends on it's source. Three ducks *shouldn't* be too much for it. I would be more worried about aquatic predators, especially snapping turtles. Also, ducks are notorious for not wanting to get out of a pond!

Hope this info helps!

 

[Ecarroll]

Ducks have very different needs than chickens, and are much messier. If you intend to keep them with in the same coop you'll need to keep on top of the additional humidity.

I've found Khaki Campbells are skittish by nature even when hand reared, and heard that runners are similar. My Magpie were very friendly when raised by hand, although they became more skittish from not being interacted with as much and being with other ducks.

Ducks on the whole are more seasonal layers, at least mine are here in Cold Cold Eastern Ontario. I don't expect any more eggs from them until March or April. I don't mind as it gives them a break. I don't know how old she is, probably over five, but my eldest one still lays consistently during the warmer weather.

As for the pond, it all depends on it's source. Three ducks *shouldn't* be too much for it. I would be more worried about aquatic predators, especially snapping turtles. Also, ducks are notorious for not wanting to get out of a pond!

Hope this info helps!

Thanks! As with the skittishness, I’m hoping more for at least one friendly duck, and others that lay well. I heard blue Swedish are very friendly. As for the pond we are at the bottom of a hill and it gets most of its water from rain, a lot washes down the hill. So no animals usually in there, except frogs, bugs, the occasional wild mallard and rarely an otter will stop by.

 

[Quatie]

Most of the breeds can be very social if you spend a lot of time with them. Overall, the more eggs they lay, the more reproductive health issues they will have. I have far more issues with my high layers.

I have not found my runners to lay a ton of eggs, but they are certainly not one of slower layers. They are can be social with constant interaction, but they are definitely my most skittish breed. They do make wonderful sounds when they are happy that no other breed quite makes. They guys also do love to forage, which is partly why they don't eat as much.

Khakis for me are anything but skittish. They hate being handled, but they are never scared. Even ones I didn't raise myself quickly got use to me and were never scared of me. I honestly think most people confuse that and their high energy for skittishness. Mine have always been go, go, go, running far more than my runners. But when I do hold them, they are so easy to handle.

Swedish are also another wonderful breed. They are very calm breed, but not the most social. They love foraging too. One of mine always walks with her head down because she is constantly looking for grub. She is rather round because of it.

The most social breed I have is Saxony. They don't lay as many eggs as the other breeds, but they are some of the sweetest ducks. They are very hormonal in the spring though. But these are my cuddle ducks.

Welsh harlequins are decently social too and will lay a higher amount of eggs. They are unfortunately a breed that tends to be beautiful and lacking in brains. They are super sweet, but I personally probably won't get the breed again because I free range my ducks. They just don't have the sense to protect themselves as well. Also, they are not as big on foraging as other breeds.

Cayugas are also another good choice. They are very chill relaxed breed. They are fairly decent foragers. They have been some of the easiest ducklings to socialize. However, this is the only breed that I have had get very aggressive on a nest. Funny enough, you take them like a foot from the nest and they go all sweet. They are also decent layers.

That is most of the breeds I have had experience with.