meat ducks

[Nyboy]

I want to get some ducks for the pond. There is a live poultry market in the next town that sells ducks. While I am a meat eater I thought it would be great to save 4 ducks from the diner table. Can meat ducks be kept alive or are they like the meat chickens who if not butchered have heart attacks or broken legs?

 

[baymule]

Pekins are the usual ducks for meat and they aren't like CX. They will live happily on your pond. But if you are going to get ducks, research the breeds. Personally, if I wanted 4 ducks to look at on the pond, I wouldn't get Pekins. I would get Runner ducks, Khaki Campbells or Welsh Harlequins. All 3 are superb layers and the Runners come in different colors. Saving a duck from becoming dinner is a noble idea, but then you have to live with it. You don't have to eat the ducks, but you could eat the eggs. And 4 ducks should be 3 hens to one drake.

 

[secuono]

There is no reason to have drakes and hens, you can have all hens or all drakes or a mix, it's all fine.
I've had Pekin, they are a wonderful pet duck, they look like small swans almost. Plus, they won't fly away on you or fly over fencing!
But, you need predator control or all will be dead and gone in no time.

 

[Nyboy]

Swans where my first choice , till I read about their behavior at breeding time. A blow from their wing can break a mans leg. I will stick with ducks LOL

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Swans where my first choice , till I read about their behavior at breeding time. A blow from their wing can break a mans leg. I will stick with ducks LOL

Swans were my first choice too until I told the farmer the pricetag. Then he assured me they were no longer my first choice!