Ruddy or Common Shelducks Which is better for a beginner with shelducks?

[kacky]

I was wondering which of these two species would be better to keep if you have never kept shelducks before. We have many different species of ornamental waterfowl and I would like to try shelducks. Any information on their habits and requirements would be greatly appreciated, I've done a lot of research but would like to know as much as possible. I know the ruddies are more aggressive so they would need there own pen. Can commons be kept in a big collection? Thanks

 

[destinduck]

I feel you will be safe with commons.These are by far the nicest ones overall. Commons,also known as Europeans are about the only shelducks that can be kept together by most people in with mixed ducks without death all over. Notice I said about. You see No two birds are the same.But way moreso on shelducks so I can only give you a generalization of their attitudes of the different kinds. During breeding you may still have to watch the commons for fighting problems with your other ducks. But I feel thateven if you got the meanest ones possible. Problems of fighting are rare in a big enough pen. I have a friend that even has ruddies in a big pen mixed collection with no problems. But again I cant recommend this as we both feel he has an exception to the rule on these. Common males also get a hump and more red on their bills during breeding. So dont freak when you see this happen if you get some. lol! The meanest ones are the paradise shelducks hands down.They have to be in their own pen. I had a pair of paradise as watch dogs in a pen. They would make alot of noise if any live creature came around the place and the male would actually hurt you if you went into the pen by hitting you with the front of his wings...Hard! Come breeding season they were Satan's spawn! They all make cool noises though the commons also seem to be the most quiet of all as well.

 

[aldren90]

I had a pair of commons that were afraid of my mandarins and ringed teal. I'm dead serious too! They were scared of anything that moved and often got bullied by birds 1/4 of their size!!!! All depends on the bird, but commons are the best beginner birds.

 

[kacky]

Thanks for the information, I heard how aggressive paradise shells are! One of our friends has Australians, they are not exactly friendly either! I will probably go with the commons, I don't really have space for the ruddies to have their own pen anyway, I need that pen for my barnacles. Do they breed their first year? What is the best nest box? Thanks Keith

 

[destinduck]

Second sometimes. but thethird year mostly. In the wild they use burrows.
I used a half way buried barrel in the ground and a piece of plywood in front. Put some holes in the bottom so when it rains it drains out in the ground. Hope this helps Shawn

 

[kacky]

Thanks this helps a lot! Hopefully I can find a pair this fall now.

 

[De Wet]

interesting pens, I will prefer commons cause they are more friendly in mixed collections

 

[destinduck]

I dont have the shelducks anymore. But I wish I had a few more of the chainlink dog pens. I like them cause you can add panels to make them bigger and you can move them around if you have to.The row of pens is made of just chicken wire and landscape timbers .I wish I would have used treated 4x4's.This fall Im tearing down and making good new pens hopefully.Those junkie things were super cheap have lasted me a long time though