Ducks or quails

[harmless harmony]

Hello everyone! My dream is to have a farm and to be totally self sufficient. I’m a stay at home mom with three very young children. We just moved into a rental house. I really want to start with homesteading even though we live here with no fence and an HOA. I was thinking I could get some quail. But I kept reading that people that have owned quail they are very smelly and you don’t really have that much of a connection with them for some reason and they have no personality. I really want a connection with my animals, I know that sounds weird, but I think you know what I’m saying. now I’m thinking ducks, since you get larger eggs too. I know they are really really noisy. I was thinking I could have them in the garage at night or late afternoon and all morning they could be In the backyard in a play pen. Would that be healthy for them?

I would love to own chickens too just feel like it’s impossible here. It would be my first choice but I don’t think it’s possible to do it in a rental house with no fence.

All my neighbors are never home. I never see anyone outside it’s like a ghost town. The houses are very close to eachother too but we have a decent backyard



Any advice too? If I can’t get the ducks or quails, what else can I do to move closer to my dreams. I really want to learn as much as I possibly can.

 

[ChickoryHatchery17]

i think ducks are a good option only downside is that they are quite loud and that they are messy and they need a pool

 

[Jener8or]

I've never owned them before, but I think Muscovy ducks are fairly personable and quiet.

 

[townchicks]

You really need to check the HOA rules before you get them. If ducks are not allowed, and most times they won't be, you risk getting caught and have to rehome them quickly, which could mean less than ideal homes. Don't even consider dumping them at a park or pond as an option. It's illegal and cruel. One thing you can to to start your homesteading dream, is start a garden. Take some carpentry or mechanical classes. All of these are skills needed for being a self sufficient farmer.

 

[Quatie]

If I read correctly, you live in an HOA. The first question would be do they allow ducks. If they don't, I wouldn't get ducks.

I haven't had quail, but keeping animals in general tends to have some sort of smell with it. The ducks have heinous broody poop smells . Nearly puked a few times. They are muddy, messy, and turn water brown in seconds. I have had duck poop on me quite a few times. They can be very loud, expect for Muscovy. Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on Muscovy ducks. Ducks do have wonderful personalities and range on how social they can be. I find the positives out weigh the negatives, but ducks are not for everyone.

While I have not had quail, some people have been able to socialize them. It does take a bit more effort, but can be done. The space requirement for quail is also going to be a lot less. Their life span is a lot shorter as well. So you could try them out and would only have them for 2-3 years. Where as ducks can be any where from 5-20 years depending on the breed.