Ducks for a 1 Acre Suburbia

[TSOWOATNKC]

I’m really not a chicken person. I don’t particularly like them. You can let them free during the day on fenced land, then lock them up at night. Just get a larger breed for the reasons I advocated Pekin above. Or you can get any breed and get a chicken tractor and move it around.

 

[harmonymw]

Neighbors are more amenable to noise when they’re receiving fresh eggs, I find.

 

[chickens really]

Make sure Ducks are allowed in your area..Zezo Ducks allowed in Alberta cities or towns..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovy probably lay the least amount of eggs than any domestic ducks they spend way to much time brooding

 

[spikes2020]

Thanks everyone for their ideas!

I think i'll try some "used" chickens first and see how they work out. It will be a retirement home for them. If not then i'll try some Muscovy/Pekin ducks!

About ducks being allowed;
In Tennessee we are about personal rights. My neighborhood covenants and restrictions only mention cows and swine. Also the covenants expired in 2004, so really there are no rules! Also there is a 35 acre farm around the corner so i don't expect much trouble.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Thanks everyone for their ideas!

I think i'll try some "used" chickens first and see how they work out. It will be a retirement home for them. If not then i'll try some Muscovy/Pekin ducks!

About ducks being allowed;
In Tennessee we are about personal rights. My neighborhood covenants and restrictions only mention cows and swine. Also the covenants expired in 2004, so really there are no rules! Also there is a 35 acre farm around the corner so i don't expect much trouble.

Even though I’m not a huge fan of chickens, I love the idea of a spent hen retirement community.

 

[Loopeend]

A male-only group of ducks will give you very little eggs (duh) and you don't have to worry about having suddenly 500 ducks next year
They are often cheaper to free because people rather have females that lay eggs.

As an indian runner fan I obviously suggest Indian runners
They are big bug eaters. Over here they are more interested in land-bugs then water-bugs and plants.
Mine fight off neighbour cats. They also call me when there is something strange in the neighbourhood. But I don't get more then cats and small birds of prey over here.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

If you go the goose route. No Brown Africans. My gander is loud enough to wake the undead. I don't have neighbors, thank goodness or I would be in trouble.

 

[PirateGirl]

A few things I have learned owning chickens and ducks.

Overall my chickens are quieter.

Overall male ducks are quieter than females (and quieter than my chickens).

I have blue swedish and khaki campbells and both breeds seem to be chatty and both are prolific layers (the reason I got them). I don't think either breed sounds like a great fit for you.

I worry more about predators getting my ducks than my chickens. Most domestic ducks cannot fly so they have no real means of escape in event of attack. Also ducks will stay outside all night every night if you let them. Chickens can fly to escape (even if only a few feet up to a tree branch or something. Also chickens put themselves to bed/roost at night generally somewhere somewhat safe/sheltered/protected from predators.

If you are not concerned about eggs consider a drake only flock or a flock of retired laying hens. There are often more drakes or spent hens than people are willing to give homes and you can find them free or cheap at swaps, auctions, or craigslist. I like to think one day my flock can live out their life eating bugs and running free range instead of in the stew pot once they are done laying.

When I first read your post, the first thing to come to mind was muscovy, but I have never owned them myself and cannot comment on that experience.