Thinking of getting ducks!

[binley100]

You could always try peacocks.........

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes bring back Albert. I miss him

[binley100]

Bet nicos's car and garden doesn't...

[Nicos]

Albert?...awwww- we miss him too!

Have to admit over all it was a fun year with him- but he was driving us mad -eventually.

[squibbs]

I found 4 ducks are messier than 4 geese by a long way. Geese also managed to completely rid my garden of dandelions for 2 years. The ducks have a habit of turning everything to mud.

I think the ducks have been harder to get to bed than the geese - though an awareness of their 'comfort zones' means its not too hard with either to walk either of them to their house.

I've never plucked either - we sent out geese off to be plucked, and the ducks I have are not for eating unfortunately.

If I had the land I would choose to keep geese again - but I would need to find someone to kill and pluck them for me. (I'm not squeamish - I do my own chickens - but its too difficult to do without help)

[binley100]

Could you not skin them like you do with pheasant?

[squibbs]

The skin of ducks and geese is full of flavour - it would be a waste to skin them

[Linzy]

My mum and dad always rear cobs and turkeys, never ducks tho. Ive been traumatized by geese and attempting to pluck them, how the hell have they developed so many feathers.

[roitelet]

roitelet- Oh.

As much pain as a goose?
( ie 2 hrs per goose to pluck and dress- and very sore fingers afterwards?)

Geese squit everywhere...are ducks more messy then? ( ie squit- wise- or make more muddy patches?)

If you think that 2 ducks = 1 goose (maybe) and at at least 1 hour to pluck and dress each one then there is nothing to be gained.

I would assume that you are thinking of more that three or four ducks and in that case multiply that by 2 big flat feet and that is how much mess they make! Ducks will get into whatever water they can find and splash it all over the place. Pretty to watch but loads of mud. If you were happy with geese then if it were me I would have geese again.

Best of luck

[Nicos]

OK- I think we've come to a decision!

We're going to have a break from them this year - and then go back to 3-5 geese next year.

I adore the funny little ( huge in reality!) things- they are so entertaining....and I'll miss having them.
We've a lot of commitments this year around 'prep' time so it will be better to look forward to having them again in 2014.

I had thought ducks would be easier- but from your comments,that just goes to show I was wrong!

Maybe we can borrow a goat for a couple of days to keep the grass down! - or make a few bales of hay with the land instead!

Thanks for your comments peeps-much appreciated!

[binley100]

No baby geese or ducks

[petal]

Well, I was about to say - muscovies! they lay loads of eggs, brood their own young and put on loads of weight- fabulous, tasty roasts we have had this winter. They poo a lot though....