mark Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 hi am just about to go and buy my very 1st ducks next week.any hints or tips on good garden ducks would be appreciated .....Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Depends on whether you want them for meat or eggs - or both? ....and read up on the Practical Poultry forum - there is a wealth of information on there as a lot of their members have ducks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark Posted June 28, 2008 Author Share Posted June 28, 2008 HI ducks are for pets ,eggs are a bonus ,kids have already got names for them .I have made an enclosure about 15x6mts with a pond 8x4 ft .Am thinking of getting 2 to start with and see how i get on .Was wondering if any breeds were better than others for this set up and how many i could comfortably fit into this . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 We're probably all a bit biased when it comes to which duck to have - we love White Campbells! That's a large area so you could have more - but introducing ducks to existing ducks is just the same as introducing hens - not always easy! It may be better to start with three or even four? We have four ducks in an area 10m x 2.5m Quite a few people on here now have ducks - and differing set-ups, so have a read and see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 Thanks for that Lesley.Funny you should say white campbells its the wife says i could have 2white ducks .Think she wants a couple of jemmima puddle ducks .But seeing as i get to go to the market my self as all the kids are off for the summer hols,think you can imagine whats gonna happen number wise Am going this thursday so will let you know what i end up with . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 - I think 3 is a nice number Our original pair were already named - but their girl duckling(now full grown) is named Jemima Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Hi! I kept several breeds of ducks for many years and had enormous pleasure fromall of them. For a classic duck with superb eggs and really friendly I couldn't fault the Aylesburys, for something a bit different a Muscovy, the Silver Appleyard is really pretty and for real characters a pair of one of the smaller breeds like Indian Runners. Having said that ......I loved them all, oh...and don't forget the Blue Swedish! Good luck and enjoy Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 HI guess a duck is a duck by what you say ,they all have their + points or not . Just a case of what ever you like the look of .have also read that runners are not a duck for beginers ,cant remember why though .Thanks for suggestions even though i am still confussed as 2 what breed to go for . : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hi every 1 Just wanted to let anyone that has been following this thread know that i ended up with a trio of white campbells ,boy have they got character .And thanks Lesley the campbells was agood call .Also how randy are these drakes ,would give a rabbit a run for its money . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I'm glad you now have your ducks Mark! I love Campbells! - you'll have to post photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I'm glad you now have your ducks Mark! I love Campbells! - you'll have to post photos! I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...