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Need help with caring for a stray duck

post #1 of 7
8/26/12 at 8:12pm
Thread Starter 

I or rather I should say my boys found a Pekin duck in our yard today. He/she has stayed all day and just kinda hung out, so I figured we might as well keep it. Problem is...I know absolutely nothing about ducks other than they quack. What do I need to provide for this little one? I went outside after dark and he had found his way into my garden which is the only fenced area. How do I get it used to me? It just waddles slowly away whenever someone comes close to it. Do I need to provide food, or will it get enough to eat from wandering my garden and yard? It is not full grown, and still a youngster. Ok, I think that's enough for now lol.

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post #2 of 7
8/26/12 at 8:15pm

WelcometoBYC.gif.

 

1. He needs shelter from predators and the elements. Ducks can be killed by many other animals. 

 

2. He really needs proper food along side forage. I would advise Flock raiser since he's young. 

 

3. You can give treats such as peas to try to get him to warm up to you. 

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #3 of 7
8/26/12 at 8:39pm
Thread Starter 

Is there anything special needed for the shelter, or will just a place to stay safe. I really do not have any idea as to what a duck requires. I have been researching on chickens because I want to get some eventually. Wasn't expecting a duck to walk into my life lol.

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post #4 of 7
8/26/12 at 8:42pm
I changed the title of your thread to be more informative. Good luck with your new duck.
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post #5 of 7
8/26/12 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazylife View Post

Is there anything special needed for the shelter, or will just a place to stay safe. I really do not have any idea as to what a duck requires. I have been researching on chickens because I want to get some eventually. Wasn't expecting a duck to walk into my life lol.

A safe place is really all it needs. It should be very similar to chicken housing. The only difference is waterfowl is much messier 

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply
post #6 of 7
8/26/12 at 10:21pm
Hi there!

Im an owner of four pekin ducks and I'll tell u they are a lot of fun and full of character! Lol
So if it's still pretty young I'd give it some duck starter, or let's say if it's fully white with feathers no yellow fuzz or anything I'd feed it duck grower from your local feed store.
For water supply make sure u have a deep enough pail/dish that it can dip it whole bill(beak) in. That's how they blow their nose if they get dirt in it :p
For housing if u don't want to go all out with a coup or anything, I'd probably get a dog house with a door that shuts and lock it in there when the sun goes down, animals get really hungry at night and it's cozy and safe in there...
And pekin ducks are a nervous breed all together, mine hav been handled from a day old and still run away from me lol. As soon as I catch them or hold them their fine and quite cuddly lol. But I think a nice veggie treat might get it to warm up to you.
That's all I got for you right now. Hope it helps and have fun!
If you have any more questions just ask and I'll try to give yea an answer!
There's so much info I'm still learning myself! Lol

Loves of my Life; 1 Horse(Echo), 1 Dog(Sophie), 1 Rabbit(Chauchie), 3 Fishies, 4 Pekin Ducks(Roman/Norman/jemima/Xsavior), 2 Brown Sex-Links(Chloe/Jessica), 1 Black Sex Link(Penny), 3 Barred Plymouth Rocks(Michelle/Olive/Vannessa). :)

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Loves of my Life; 1 Horse(Echo), 1 Dog(Sophie), 1 Rabbit(Chauchie), 3 Fishies, 4 Pekin Ducks(Roman/Norman/jemima/Xsavior), 2 Brown Sex-Links(Chloe/Jessica), 1 Black Sex Link(Penny), 3 Barred Plymouth Rocks(Michelle/Olive/Vannessa). :)

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post #7 of 7
8/26/12 at 10:49pm

I agree with above a dog house should work nicely or I have a neighboor who keeps hers in the little tykes playhouse her kids outgrew lol. We have 5 Pekins and a Black Swedish and are having the time of our lives. Tractor Supply has duck feed and feeders/waterers for them as well. Here are pic of my adults (5 months old) and the youngsters(6-8 weeks old).

 

 

 

 

Chickens- 3 GLW, 3 Red Stars, 3 White rocks, 1 Blue Andalusian, 2 Australorps, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Welsummers, 1 White Wyandotte, 1 Silver spangled hamburg, 1 Exchequre leghorn, 2 EE, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 barnyard mix and a Buff Silkie

(we were going to start small LOL)

 

2 Black Shetland sheep

2 Pygmy goats

3 Pekin ducks

1 (Black) Blue Swedish duck

1 Ball python

2 dogs and 2 cats

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Chickens- 3 GLW, 3 Red Stars, 3 White rocks, 1 Blue Andalusian, 2 Australorps, 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Welsummers, 1 White Wyandotte, 1 Silver spangled hamburg, 1 Exchequre leghorn, 2 EE, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 barnyard mix and a Buff Silkie

(we were going to start small LOL)

 

2 Black Shetland sheep

2 Pygmy goats

3 Pekin ducks

1 (Black) Blue Swedish duck

1 Ball python

2 dogs and 2 cats

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