[Blueeyes]

Hi, I am wanting to get a couple of new ducks to go with my four swedish blues, one of which is a very frisky drake! What breeds would you all recommend to go with these, I only want females as I realise another drake would cause problems!

I really like Indian runner ducks but I'm not sure if they are too light a breed?!? My other thoughts were Pekin or silver appleyards?

Any opinions gratefully received, also would I have to introduce them slowly or just put them in together?

Thanks as always

Blueeyes x

[Sylvia]

It depends on wether you want eggs or meat from your ducks. If eggs then go for Campbells or Indian Runners. If meat then you wouldn't go wrong with Aylesburys, Pekins or one of the otjer heavy breeds

[Blueeyes]

Just for eggs, we give everything that comes here a home for life 

I'd love Indian runners but would hate for our drake to be too big a duck and actually hurt the runners as he is quite persistent and amorous    and they look to be a lighter weight breed!

Blueeyes x

[funkyfish]

I love my Silver Appleyards, they lay well and are very friendly.

[HelenVF]

You could always go for a runner x khaki, if you are a bit worried.  They are a bit bulkier and look like a stocky runner.

Helen

[Blueeyes]

I'll be honest, though I know I sound mad, I'd love penguins     but realise that's not really possible (not quite that mad!) so thought multi coloured runners were as near as I'm gonna get, plus they are just so cute & comical, but Denzel our drake is a bit OTT and I'm worried he'd be too much for runners!

Runner x Khaki sounds like a good option though, will look into that!

And silver appleyards are beautiful and on my list of would likes   

Thanks guys x

[Fowlman]

I keep magpies which are great looking ducks, lay well and easy going.

[in the hills]

Blueeyes, my sister had some Runner x Khaki crosses. They were really good layers of good sized eggs. They were hatched under her broody hen and refused to live in their beautiful duck house but went to bed on time with her chickens.They were real characters.

My father kept Runners and they did seem lighter and maybe more delicate?

[clydesdaleclopper]

Our Blue Swedish boy lives happily with some runners 

[Beeducked]

I love my Appleyard too. Lovely duck and good layer and was a great mum the one time she went broody.

Also found the Welsh Harlequins to be good layers and very pretty. Not quite as neurotic as the Campbells either.

I'm hoping to hatch a couple of buff orpingtons this year and see how they are.

[Blueeyes]

So nobody has penguins then    seriously though, thank you for all your suggestions going to look into them all and then see what's best!

[Womble]

We have fawn and white runner ducks, and they're great fun, and lay really big eggs although they are a little bit neurotic, as has already been said!

Runner x Khaki does sound like a good option, but I can post you some eggs if you decide you want to give pure runners a go?

[HelenVF]

Penguins :lol: lol!  My 4 year old likes penguins! lol

Ours are fawn and white as well.  I have got a couple of khakis which we inherited off a neighbour running with them so some of them are a bit heavier.

Helen

[Blueeyes]

Thanks Womble I may be in touch 

HelenVF, your 4 year old has good taste, my 7year old daughter thinks I'm mental    just think they are totally fab! 


Blueeyes x

[Sylvia]

Blue eyes, I love penguins too but they only lay one egg a year!! The nearest thing is Indian Runners, I would say