Duck care info please

[Shezbug]

My son has asked what the care needs of ducks are, he would like to get a duck when we move.
I have never had to care for a duck but I’m of the belief they need to have a pond of some sort to mess about in and that is about as much as I think I know about the difference between caring for ducks and chooks.
Can anyone please help with a guide of sorts on what is needed and involved for them to be happy and healthy?

@fashionfobie ?

 

[April]

@Nikomania I'm sure could help you out.

 

[Zara]

he would like to get a duck

I believe they do best in little groups, so more than one.

 

[Nikomania]

Ducks are delightful birds! Yes, they do need access to a place to swim and bathe, but they are quite happy with using a kiddie pool for that purpose. They love foraging for insects, and love extra treats of live mealy bugs and tiny live fish.
Ducks are VERY messy. If your area has rats, they will be all over their scattered feed.
Getting them in pairs is strongly encouraged.

 

[jeffsf]

Though I'm not the duck expert in the family, there are a wide range of ducks with very different habits. Some are great flyers, some waddle like bowling pins and have wings that inspire thoughts of the T-Rex arm-length memes. Males can be very aggressive, even more so if in competition. It surprised me to find that only the females quack. (Then again, we've got chickens that both lay eggs and occasionally crow.)

Duck eggs are delightful, assuming they're fed a varied and healthy diet. They'll hunt for bugs and tender greens, but keeping things balanced is important. High-quality feed is a challenge as most is either intended for commercial production or aimed at the chain pet store. Sprouting of whole-grain food can increase its nutritional value greatly. Learning to pick one up safely (for you) is an important skill. They grow insanely fast compared to chicken chicks and diet, including niacin, is essential as they grow out.

Any outdoor bird needs somewhere safe to roost or sleep between just before sunset until well after sunrise. Dusk and early morning hours both can be deadly to prey. Predator-proofing is a subject unto itself. Living in a populated area just means that they're smarter from dealing with fences, gates, and garbage cans.

 

[Shezbug]

I believe they do best in little groups, so more than one.

Yes, I’d figured that it would have to minimally 2.

 

[fashionfobie]

I would get a minimum of 3 ducks. This way if an accident happens they are unlikely to be totally alone. They do not cope with being alone, and will cry out continually until they are reunited with their friends. When our Cyprus broke his hip we had to reduce his mobility via a kennel for 6 weeks. We were unable to leave him in our house during this time. He cried and cried for his brothers. and his brothers stood at the window crying and crying for him. So we moved him back to the duck area in his kennel and they were able to chat to each other. His brothers would lay down next to the kennel to rest. Everyone was pleased when he was finally healed up. Ducks are very gregarious and not really territorial, and even wild ducks may easily join up and socialise with domestic ducks. Ducks are very happy to be with ducks!

I would also say they are nothing likely chickens in terms of care, other than living outside.

Do you know what types of duck your son is interested in? It may help me with more detailed questions. (Especially in terms of duckling diet.)

For your ducks' house try to get one on ground or very close to the ground with a minimal ramp, they don't usually like heights. We put them to bed in their house to prevent injuries from night panics and attacks from predators... But our boys never put themselves away like the chickens. They are trained and know we will be putting them in so when it gets dark they collect near the door, but we always need to encourage them to actually go in.

There is a duck pellet that we offer in a pan, and we also give them left over veggies, peas and corn. They love greens. Always place their feed very close to their water. Ducks must use water to swallow their food. Dry feed can build up in their throats and they can choke without water. If you have enough area the ducks can also forage for most of their own food. You would be amazed. We have them on about 700sqm and they sometimes don't even eat the pellet at all and find their own stuff.

For water you should have a large waterer in addition to their pond/pool. We don't have a natural pond. (When we buy a house soon, we will hire people to dig one properly.) We use a child's pool that we bought at the BigW. We did a bit of trial and error before we found the right child's pool. Cyprus broke his hip from leaping out of a hard shell pool. So we decided to find something better. We one that has a rigid but flexible edge now and they can enter and exit without flopping out. We have been using this style for more than a year. And we did need to replace it after about a year. They are in their second now. It is also easier to drain with the edge.

 

[Shezbug]

@fashionfobie I am not sure if he has decided on any particular duck but I would be suggesting the smallest commonly kept ducks available if he really has to follow through with having them.

I was reluctantly ok with the thought of 2 but 3 might be a bit much- omg the noise is stressing me out just thinking about it and I know everyone will be thinking that I have large birds but they only make noise every now and then... the ducks I have known in the past are kinda like me- they never shut up and are talking to themselves and everyone around them non stop all day long .

They do not dig as far as I am aware and are much more garden friendly than chooks but the water needs might be a tad more than I can be bothered with and I would have to sort out a way to keep them away from my fish pond too. I guess we have a fair bit to think about before committing to adding ducks to the poultry list!

 

[fashionfobie]

@fashionfobie I am not sure if he has decided on any particular duck but I would be suggesting the smallest commonly kept ducks available if he really has to follow through with having them.

I was reluctantly ok with the thought of 2 but 3 might be a bit much- omg the noise is stressing me out just thinking about it and I know everyone will be thinking that I have large birds but they only make noise every now and then... the ducks I have known in the past are kinda like me- they never shut up and are talking to themselves and everyone around them non stop all day long .

They do not dig as far as I am aware and are much more garden friendly than chooks but the water needs might be a tad more than I can be bothered with and I would have to sort out a way to keep them away from my fish pond too. I guess we have a fair bit to think about before committing to adding ducks to the poultry list!

The smaller breed of domesticated duck common in Australia are call ducks. As the name suggests, they are LOUD. They were bred to make noise to attract wild ducks for hunters. I have Cayuga ducks, and for ducks they are quiet, but still chatter all day like you said.

They don't dig in the garden with their legs. However I think they are probably equally destructive because they will dig holes with their bills, especially when it rains. I don't mind the little holes, they are sorta cute, but I would say it is comparable to chickens kicking little dust holes. The ducks will also muck up the area when it rains, and will pull out lots of roots etc. The area that normally floods when it rains is now a muddy patch!

I would also inform your son with how long ducks live. Many breeds live nearly twice as long as a chicken of the same size.. around 12+ years for ducks. They are a long term commitment.

 

[Lexusblond]

My ducks must be saints....I have 6 call ducks 2 saxony and 1 mix breed they are manly quiet, they don't make holes or damage anything, they have a shed and are messy but only in their area and I find them just as easy to look after as my chickens....but I have raised them from day olds and they lived inside for the first 6 weeks then slowly moved outside and I have a very well rehearsed routine from morning to night. Ducks don't like change....I love my ducks too bits! , they are such emotional little souls and real time consuming, fascinating and wonderful. If you a fortune enough to have a duck love you, you will be changed for life. I know I am and this coming from an ex beef farmer who only saw ducks as a product to be raised and sold.......

 

[Shezbug]

I am thinking it is easy enough to make a small but decent size in ground pond and I think we should be able to section off part of the yard (half or there about) so poultry do not ruin my very important (and drowning ) succulents and our ever so important home grown foods and my fish when they can not be supervised.

 

[fashionfobie]

I am thinking it is easy enough to make a small but decent size in ground pond and I think we should be able to section off part of the yard (half or there about) so poultry do not ruin my very important (and drowning ) succulents and our ever so important home grown foods and my fish when they can not be supervised.

I wouldn't trust ducks around precious plants nor fishies! Fencing them away from those areas is probably best. Even if they weren't interested in the plant itself those bills can be very curious and nibble around in the pots!

Maybe I get more rain here in the Sunny Coast than you @Lexusblond But my little guys are always digging adorable duck holes when it rains!

 

[Lexusblond]

@Fashonfobie still amazes me how different each end of this country is! There is no hard and fast rule that apply here.... we are dry in the Perth hills even with all the rain we have this winter I could walk outside with my socks on and they would be dry... and you are right ducks love mud!

 

[Shezbug]

@Fashonfobie still amazes me how different each end of this country is! There is no hard and fast rule that apply here.... we are dry in the Perth hills even with all the rain we have this winter I could walk outside with my socks on and they would be dry... and you are right ducks love mud!

Oh wow- you got the good weather!! It is so wet here right now that mum could not get to work as the road she needed was flooded and any alternative routes to get around it would have her arriving too late then she would be chancing not getting back home in her little car. Our yard is horribly wet and many plants are drowning at the moment.