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Barnyard Buddies:  Ducks vs. Chickens  |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2011 : 10:01:34 PM
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Hi all!
I am thinking of getting either ducks or chickens. I live in the city and we can have two of either one. I have a pond for ducks. Any thoughts? Pros or cons on either side?
Thanks!
www.fasterkittykill.blogspot.com
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Penny Dyke
True Blue Farmgirl
93 Posts
Penny
East Palestine
Ohio
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 06:19:54 AM
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| Hi Pam I have both chickens and ducks, both are great egg layers,the chickens are silver laced wyndottes and the ducks are white pekins,they are all going to be 2 years old in the spring. they both lare laying eggs all winter I have two ducks and I faithfully get two eggs a day from them. it depends on what you are really wanting them for eggs enjoyment, any would be great. Also the duck eggs are great for baking or eating. good luck enjoy Penny |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2011 : 10:16:14 AM
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Well, I will throw my two cents in here. Just my own opinion and experience. I love ducks but will never get any again. They are beautiful and so sweet. But they are NASTY birds. Stinky and nasty. I was always having to change their water. And their pool. Not their fault. Just the way they are. And they are very greedy. They also ate some little just born guinea keats. I was shocked they did that. Just snatched the poor little things right up. I love ducks out in big ole ponds. That's where mine ended up. At a friend's pond. They were so happy there. Oh, and I never ever got any eggs. So if you are wanting eggs, go with chickens.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 10:21:30 AM
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I really like the ducks,they will foul your water if you keep them with your chickens and they do eat more than chickens do if food economics are a concern but my Daughter's two Pekin ducks really lay reliably and we sell our duck eggs to Asians for 4.00 a dozen but we have a market through my Daughter's paternal Grandmother who is from Taiwan so we distribute our eggs to her and her friends.
They are great in baked goods and we cook them just like we would use chicken eggs though there are a few people who think they are stronger tasting than chicken eggs.
If you do get ducklings,take care to feed them unmedicated starter feed or a meatbird starter because since they eat more in a sitting than a chick does they are likely to overdose on the medications in the feed which can kill them.
It is also important to not allow hatchery ducklings to get wet or swim until they are fully feathered out,they can get chilled and die very quickly,a natural reared duck will get a protective insulating grease or film from thier mother in thier feathers that resists water but hatchery raised ducklings do not have this.
Anyways,this is alot more than you asked for but in my opinion it just boils down to what you like better,since you can only have two of either bird,it just depend on what suits you best,I like both but consider that the ducks are a bit noisier,messier and the eggs are not to everyone's taste while the chickens have a more broad appeal,are alot quieter and can be very entertaining as well.
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1152 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1152 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2011 : 4:56:56 PM
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Pam,
I actually prefer duck eggs to chicken eggs...they are far richer and may be used in any place where chicken eggs can be used; that is, boiled, scrambled, baked, etc. I have never noticed a flavor difference other than they are much richer :0) I have a baby pool for the ducks, however this is NOT necessary. They simply need a deep dish or container deep enough to dunk their heads into. If not, you may notice (especially when they are younger) they will get 'sticky eye'. The remedy is just to allow them to be able to dunk their heads in water :0) I'd also recommend getting a self-filling dog dish for their water (if they do not have pond access), so that you don't have to worry about them running out of water as they consume so much.
Here is my list:
DUCKS:
PROS: more feed efficient than chickens
lay as many or more eggs than many breeds of chickens
eggs are richer
seem to enjoy inclement weather (rainy, cold, and yucky? Ducks LOVE it)
excellent at eating snails and slugs in your garden
Shelter for a duck need not be as large or complicated as for a chicken. (I'd still highly recommend penning them up at night)
CONS: can make a mess of their water quickly
females are noisy at times...females do all of the 'quacking'! Males do not quack.
will make little holes while foraging around water sources
Messier to raise as ducklings...but there are 'tricks' (If anyone would like to know...message me!)
CHICKENS:
PROS: So many breeds to choose from! :0)
I find them to be slightly more personable than ducks (the ducks do like me, but do NOT like handling)
Are wonderful at eating insects like grasshoppers and the like
Many have wonderful dispositions and are very dog-like, even
CONS: some breeds are more flighty than others...choose carefully!
Require more feed than ducks to lay well
Require a little more in the way of housing (place to roost, larger quarters)
Another thing I was thinking was that if you'd like ducks for eggs, I'd keep them penned in the morning until they have laid, otherwise you'll be doing an egg hunt everyday! Lol. 'Course, that's true for hens, too. For feed efficiency, I'd go with ducks. If you want something a tad more 'cuddly', I'd go with chickens. As you can tell, I love both!
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Ducks vs. Chickens |
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Ducks vs. Chickens
