The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: novicesmallholder on January 06, 2010, 05:56:42 pm

Title: What ducks and geese?
Post by: novicesmallholder on January 06, 2010, 05:56:42 pm

Hi all,

taking some more ex bats next month when planted the orchard out (will end up with circa 60). Looking to get about 8 ducks also - any recommendations to what breed are best for egg laying? Also taking 4 geese, probably just because I like them  :-[- 2 male 2 female (not expecting too many eggs off these) - again what are a good hardy breed?

Also any ideas the best place to get these from?

Thanks again for your help (in anticipation)

Mark

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: CameronS on January 06, 2010, 07:16:10 pm

Not meaing to sound rude, but you may be better posting this in the Poultry section  ;D  ;D
As for ducks i would reccomend khaki campbell.  :)

Cameron

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: marigold on January 06, 2010, 08:19:59 pm

I recommend muscovies. I chose indian runner crosses which are lovely but was then given 5 muscovies who are friendly sweet and apparently great egg layers although I'll need to confirm that in the spring :&> :&> :&>

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: Daisys Mum on January 06, 2010, 10:49:17 pm

I have Kahki Campbells, Indian Runners and Aylesburys and they are all good layers, except for now when I am not getting a single duck egg, roll on spring.

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: novicesmallholder on January 07, 2010, 04:22:47 pm

Cameron - god help me if I can't differentaite bewteen ducks and pigs!!!

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: doganjo on January 07, 2010, 05:42:46 pm

Seems you're not alone - look how many people have answered you.  My ducks are pigs  ;) Greedy ones.  I like my KC girls but I have a Swedish Blue drake.

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: ballingall on January 09, 2010, 05:30:39 pm

We have Indian runners, which I really like for laying. They lay regularly, and nice big eggs. We have Cayuga's too, but they definitely don't lay as well, although nice eggs again. Our runner duck this year, hatched out a brood of ducklings (did a splendid job of rearing her ducklings) and was laying again 3 weeks after her brood hatched!

Beth

Title: Re: What ducks and geese?
Post by: molly2 on January 09, 2010, 09:22:39 pm

We have runner ducks and (at the mo) one muscovy. The runners are great layers and fun to watch lol. The muscovies only lay enough eggs for 2 clutches a year, usually for us one in spring and one in late summer, maybe 40-50 eggs per year. Ours is such a pet, she comes in the house for food in the summer when the doo's open  ;D They're very good mums also, will hatch any eggs.