Want ducks. Need advice!

marilyngurl22

In the Brooder
Feb 2, 2015
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We are moving to a 9.5 acre property with a 1 acre pond to further expand our homestead. I want ducks. Mainly for meat for us and our dogs. I'll feed eggs to the dogs and sell/trade them also. But I know zip about raising ducks. I've done a little reading and I'm drawn to Muscovy because they seem to be the "broodiest" and best mamas (I want lowest maintenance so a breed that will sit on and raise its young appeals to me) and they are great foragers. I have a few questions.

1. Which breed, knowing what I've told you thus far, do you recommend and why?
2. Will I need to clip wings? I ask because I can't find info about whether or not they will try to migrate. I read that they migrate to look for food, so if that's true...
3. How do you prevent them from "leaving the nest"?
4. Give me your best, need to know, tips on raising ducks. Housing, care, feed, etc.

Thanks!!!
 
This is a good start for raising ducklings

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

You'd probably do well to get a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. Loads of information there.

There is a Muscovy thread, also. As you have probably gathered, many of us keep ducks as pets, but a number of folks do raise them for meat.

Muscovies have a reputation for being good broodies. Sometimes, though, they will attack hatchlings - so one always needs to watch and be ready for Plan B.

They do fly, so wing-clipping is often recommended.

Ponds can actually be a dangerous place for ducks, especially with clipped wings, so please keep reading, so that you can come up with a plan you are comfortable with.
 
Good info! Thank you! And I had no clue ponds can be dangerous. I thought it was a great place for ducks. I have lots to learn! Lol I have Storeys guide to raising chickens so I'll get the duck one as well. Thank you!
 

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