Ready to add poultry to your backyard homestead? Then you have come to the right place. We are going to have a little chat about what you need to know and what you should expect from either chickens or ducks.
Ready to add poultry to your backyard homestead? Which species is the right fit for you?
Like parents commonly like to say, “ I don’t love one child more than the other, I love them equally”.
That’s basically me when it comes to the ducks versus chicken debate, however, regardless of how much I love the two species there are some major differences when considering what to get for your homestead.
Where size matters
When deciding what to get for your backyard homestead you need to realistically consider how much space you have to provide for your poultry, or any livestock for that matter. Right off the bat, ducks are generally much larger than an average chicken (depending on variety) and require more space. My birds average around 10lb per duck and 4lb per chicken just for some perspective. There are certain chicken breeds that can absolutely get to be the same size and weight of a large duck, but where size matters is in their behavior.
For instance, how you build your housing is completely different. Chickens like to roost at night and can be very good at flying up to tall roosting pegs or branches, whereas ducks do not. Therefore, a chicken coop can be smaller and taller to facilitate the natural tendencies of a chicken, whereas, your duck coop will take up more square footage even with less birds.
Water Needs
It’s no mystery that ducks live for water. Prepare to be filling up water buckets and feeders multiple times a day. They are always muddy and always looking for a place to bathe. It’s pretty cute getting the hose out and having them open their mouths to get sprayed with water; entertaining but very messy. Ready to add poultry to your backyard homestead? think of how accessible water is. Ask yourself…. is a hose going to reach down to my ducks, am I going to have to carry buckets of water, or am I going to be able to install an automatic watering system?
Chickens on the other hand, don’t like getting wet. They run to cover in the rain and dust bathe by scratching at dry dirt. You may not get mud patches everywhere with chickens, but watch out for holes in the yard!
Eggs
Let’s talk about eggs, the main reason most people buy backyard poultry. I was surprised when I started getting eggs from my ducks how uncommon it was for people to eat them. Yet think about, you don’t see duck eggs in grocery stores ever, so unless you raise them why would you ever try them?
What makes duck eggs different?
The overall egg is structured a little differently. For one, they are larger, almost double the size of a standard chicken egg. The shell is much thicker and ranges in color depending on the breed. The yolk is more yellow rather than orange and the whites are clear instead of opaque. Nutritionally, a duck egg has more fat and omega 3. I think they taste very rich and bake beautifully in recipes. A chicken egg is our society’s standard. Delicious, rich in color, fewer calories, and way easier to find good fitting cartons for.
The best part: collecting eggs!
On a second note,I hope you like Easter egg hunts because if you get ducks that’s what you’ll be playing every morning. Ducks kind of lay wherever they feel like it. Sometimes it’s out in the yard, sometimes it’s next to their pool, and if they treat you right you’ll be surprised with eggs in the duck house… but don’t bet on it. Chickens on the other hand, are creatures of habit. Now this can be good and bad. Good if you get a hen that lays in the same nest box everyday, bad if they get in the habit of laying them out in a random bush or in an unusual spot. You don’t even know how many times I’ve thought the girls weren’t laying to find two dozen eggs in a pile in a thicket of thorn bushes. But hey, who needs consistency, what’s the fun in that?
Temperament of Chickens
Let’s chat about temperament. This is a big one especially if you have little ones following you around. I let my birds free range which means they are let loose to roam as they wish around the property. I’ve only had to be concerned a couple times and those times were with chickens. My little farmer boy is two and he goes everywhere I go. Chickens have a strong pecking order and there’s always a dominant bird on top. If you have roosters it’s usually the boys but it can easily be a dominant hen. They are brave little birds and have no problem chasing, biting and scratching to get their way or defend their territory. It’s crucial that bad behavior is corrected early on, otherwise, it can be a very unsafe situation for a small child.
Temperament of Ducks
Ducks have always seemed to be much more docile. I’ve yet to experience an aggressive duck, however, I’m sure they are out there. Overall, ducks kinda mind their space and can be very affectionate, some even follow you around and want to snuggle. Like any behavior, it all comes down to socialization, corrections and consistency. Invest time in loving your animals and they will love you back.
Permaculture: how does poultry contribute?
Ever heard of permaculture? Well let me tell you, it’s the basis that an ecosystem can be self sustaining and self sufficient. Chickens and ducks are part of that ecosystem in different ways. I originally got ducks because I had a horrible problem with slugs eating all my plants. Now my ducks spend all day nibbling at pests around the perimeter of my garden. They get nutritional food, they provide nutrient dense eggs, fertilize the soil, aid me in controlling the pests and feed my family.
Permaculture.
Unlike the webbed feet of a duck, chickens have sharp claws. They are the mini modern day dinosaurs. They are hunters and prey on insects and mice. Besides that, they are wonderful to use as a slow moving rototiller. It’s common practice to move your chickens into an area that you would like scratched up and cleared of debris and weeds.
Again… permaculture
Wrap things up
Ready to add poultry to your backyard homestead?
In conclusion, you can’t go wrong either, that’s why I just got both. I can hardly allow myself to go into a feed store during the springtime, there are just too many baby chicks and ducklings readily available. My advice to you, is consider the key points in this article. What kind of space are you working with? Is there water easily accessible? What is the value to you to invest in either bird? And lastly, what about owning poultry will add to your life and self sufficiency?
