White star ducks

[dragonmaker]

Does anyone have any experience with the white star duck hybrids from McMurray hatchery? How’s their temperament? I’m looking for a calm, docile duck

 

[Canadian Wind]

I don't know the 'breed' so looked it up. My first red flag is that they are a layer hybrid. This is hard on the body and can bring about multiple health issues as well as a shortened life span. The other thing is since they are hybrids (mixed breed) you can't for sure know the personality expectations especially without knowing the parental genetics. Although there are variations in any breed.

My recommendation would be to look at what your searching for in a duck (eggs, meat, strictly companionship, etc) and go from there. I'm sure everyone here has their own favourites.

 

[dragonmaker]

Good to know it’s hard on their bodies to lay that much!

 

[dragonmaker]

I’m looking for a calm/docile layer duck. Any recommendations?

 

[Canadian Wind]

I’m looking for a calm/docile layer duck. Any recommendations?

From what I've been reading from others (@Quatie ) Saxony are a good breed for that. I've never had them myself.

 

[duckmeister]

White Stars are excellent layers with calmer dispositions than campbells. I hear this "birds bred to be egg layers that it's hard on them, laying and egg a day takes to much out of them and shortens their lifespan" My take on that is these egg laying breeds are the luckiest because nobody is going to buy them to eat them. Table bird breeds are the ones to feel sorry for. So order yourself some White Stars if you want.

 

[dragonmaker]

Thank you for your perspective.

 

[Quatie]

The white star looks really similar to the white layer. White layers were developed by metzer, so McMurray likely made a similar breed. I haven't owned them, but I have spoken to others about the white layers and duclair. People found them to have similar personalities to Pekins, just smaller. I wouldn't be surprised if that is the similar with the white star. Pekins tend to be fairly calm, somewhat social, and kind of superiority complex. But I can't say for certain.

It is sadly true ducks breed for laying do tend to have more reproductive issues and shorter lives.

Welsh harlequins would make a good option. They are good layers. I still have some reproductive issues with them, but not as common as my other high layers. They are pretty sweet girls and fairly calm. They are unfortunately not the brightest breed. The only thing is the pictures of them are a bit deceiving. The very white ones are not nearly common as the Internet makes them seem.

If you are not looking for a layer, there are few calm breeds I can suggest.

 

[dragonmaker]

I’m mostly interested in getting eggs from my future ducks, but also want calm birds not super flighty.