Tangible Goals

[Update] It is not illegal to raise chickens in San Mateo, California. No word on ducks.

[Update] My current preferred duck species is the Khaki Campbell (pictured below). They are good in the water, are hardy and lay more eggs than a chicken. I do not know how loyal they are.

I want to raise a flock of 5 ducks and keep them in my backyard. This is a surprisingly common suburban practice, although more people do it with chickens than with ducks. There is even a Yahoo group called Silicon Valley Chickens for people doing this same sort of thing in my community. If I raise ducks from chicks I’m told they will fly and swim in my lagoon, and return home at night.

Why I want to do this:

• I miss having animals around. I grew up in rural Minnesota and worked on a sheep farm in Switzerland
• Fresh eggs are yummy
• Being disconnected from our food sources is not healthy
• My backyard is too perfect for ducks not to take advantage of it
• How cool would it be if they swam alongside me at Aquatic Park (file this idea under “amazing pipedreams”)

Things I’ve figured out:

• I want ducks, not chickens. Ducks are quieter, and like to fly and swim
• I want a coop with an enclosed run to keep them safe when I’m not able to watch them

Things I am still working on:

• What species duck? My criteria are #1 loyalty, #2 egg laying ability
• Who will sell me 5-6 duck chicks? Hatcheries sell ducks in 25 chick lots
• If I let them out for a fly/swim how do I “call” them back home?
• My landlord and local ordinances

Stay tuned. And please email me  (climbernealmuellercom)   if you can help.