Advice please. Ducks /water/bed

[Beryl]

Hi everyone, I have just bought one khaki campbell and one honey campbell duck. They are very pretty and have gone in with my chickens with no problems at all. I have put them a box in the corner of the chicken house which is a draught proof shed 6feet x 8 feet which houses the 5 chickens. Will they take thenselves off to bed at night or will I have to show them how it is done for a while ? Secondly they have been dipping their heads in a bucket of water for a good splash about. We tried to put them on a kiddies pool but they jumped out. Should I be introducing them slowly to the water and which is the best way or will they be inquisitive enough to eventually go in by themselves. I do not think they had access to more than a bucket of water before. They are 6 months old. Thanks for any advice. Beryl

 

[Amiga]

Hi, Beryl,

I think you have assessed the situation pretty well. Sounds like they know what to do with the bucket, and may have never had access to a pool.

Making sure it is easy for them to get in, and more importantly, out, of the pool, and giving them time to figure it out for themselves sounds like it will work. An enticement into the pool (I wouldn't fill it more than about six inches at first) would be to sprinkle dandelion leaves or chopped lettuce, or chard, or watercress on the top of the water. The leaves will float, making it easy to get them.

Many people recommend keeping new ducks very close to the coop for a couple of weeks after you get them, else they may try to find their way home, and end up in trouble or worse.

I have eleven ducklings, six weeks old tomorrow. I am already using temporary fencing, and plan to use it to allow them to rotationally forage in the yard and gardens. Perhaps you could set up something if you don't have it already, to keep them relatively near the coop, unable to get far, so that they will understand that this is where they live now. It does seem to take some time, so I would err on the side of caution. They need to be outside, so locking them in the coop doesn't sound right to me, but keeping them very close would be what I would do for at least two weeks.

 

[Beryl]

Thanks very much for the advice about the water. My husband has just made a ramp and stepping stones for them and I have put out another container of water for them until they venture into the pool. The ducks are in a 38 feet x 21 feet outdoor coop with the house 6 feet x 8 feet attached. The door to the house is open with acess all day and already they have been inside for a look around ! The 5 chickens they are with have not bothered them at all. So hopefully they will all be fine. Thanks again Beryl.

 

[Amiga]

And by outside (I just re-read my message again), I mean outside during the day. Inside at night is best, I think, to avoid predation, but many people on BYC duck forum write that they have difficulty getting the ducks in at night, even in cold wet weather.

 

[Beryl]

Yes, I fully intend to keep them inside at night with the chickens for their safety. We have had chickens for 2 years now and they have always been safely inside at night. Wil let you know how it all goes. Thanks. Baryl

 

[Quailbuddy]

first off

We need some pictures of the little gals/ guys

 

[Beryl]

Quick update on my 2 new ducks whom we have named Thelma and Louise ! After having a good splash around in a bucket of water and a good preen they went into the house for a nose around then came back out and just enjoyed the freedom of their coop. At bedtime the chickens had roosted themselves as normal and lo and behold tThelma and Louise were in there too. So we quietly shut the door. We have just checked on them and they are fine. I will post some pics tomorrow.

 

[Amiga]

 

[Beryl]

Oh no my chickens thought they would like to chase and try and peck my ducks. Chickens and roo were quickly removed from situation and I put 3 very docile hens in with them. The ducks are now happily sat/laid down and everything is clam. The ducks dont seem to want to go in the house much. Is this because they enjoy being outside easpecially as it is raining ? Is this a duck thing ?

Any advice much appreciated ...... Beryl

 

[Amiga]

I have heard many times from people whose ducks just would rather be outside in almost any kind of weather than indoors.

There are always exceptions, of course!

If you have predator protection outside the coop, I think that would be okay - but if the safe place is indoors, you may need to bribe them with something like thawed frozen fresh peas. Mine go wild for peas.