Hello there
I have recently purchased a large plot of land (5 acres) which, eventually, I will be turning into a campsite. I would like to turn one part into a smallholding (to open up for guests to come and have a wander round). I am very new to farm animals so am looking for as much advice as possible on owning all farm animals.

To start, I will be getting some ducks and chickens.

I love the look of Indian Runner Ducks. Are these easy to look after? I'm thinking of getting six. What would be the best male-female ratio? I would love if they had babies but if not then that would be fine too.

As for chickens, I would love to have approx 20-25 in order to sell their eggs. I do not want a cockeral as they would wake up the campers (shame, I would have if it was just me!)

Again, what would be a good breed to have? I'd like 2-3 different breeds for variety.

__________________

on the chicken side of things

i keep rohde island reds they good layers
so a few chicken breeds

rhode island reds
new hampshire red
sussex
warrens
legbars
brahmas
Orpington

thats a nice few for you to look at to start with

cant help on the duck side of things as i dont keep them sorry

good luck with all

On the duck side of things:
Indian runner ducks are easy to keep!! All you want is feed, water, space and more water!!
In my opinion; it's better for the females to out number the males, I have one male duck and four females, the male had mated with all of them with no problems at all.
So it's up to you!
If you want babies, then I suggest that get them while they are still young and raise them to adulthood, when a female lays her eggs don't touch them let the female handle them as she want.
But I never heard of an Indian runner duck to raise babies... But I still don't think that it's impossible.

Hi there
Indian runners are very good, they dont need water to swim around in just water to wash ther beaks and to drink they lay a fair amount of eggs a year around 300 but only if you take the eggs away from her, If you leave them with her she will lay around 10-12 then stop to sit on them, but wont lay again for ages.
If you want ducks/ chickens to sit on the eggs i would get full breed ones as hybrids wont sit.

muscovy ducks are very good ducks for sitting on eggs funny looking things but a very good breed

cayugas are very nice looking ducks they are bottle green in colour

need anymore info just ask on here myself and everyone here are very good with info

cheers mitch