Are ducks for me?

[HuevosModesto]

Hello all! My family and I purchased chickens a bit over a year ago, and we've moved to a new house that backs up to a creek. The creek is generating mosquito's, and I'm running across information that leads me to believe that ducks might be good for mosquito control - is this accurate? Will they truly make a sizable dent in the local population, or am I kidding myself?

Also, if I allow them to free range (which would include the creek), will they stick around, or will they become wild?

Finally, breeds to consider? We have 2 acres (including the house), so space shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I’ve read that muscovies are great for mosquito control. My ducks stay close to their coop and don’t wander off too far.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovys are great mosquito controllers they can free range but need protection over night or they will be gone pretty quick. Feed them close to their coop and they will stick around. They do love to fly though so once they grow in their flight feathers they will need them clipped to keep them grounded. Even free range they are still vunerable to predation just like chickens but many of us do free range our birds.

 

[TheBeardie]

I'm not sure how well ducks will do for a creek, sure they will eat some larvae but it won't put a stop to all of the mosquitos. You will need to feed them only at the duck house, otherwise they won't come back at night. If they aren't protected at night you will quickly loose all of your ducks.

I have muscovies, they love to stand in the dirtiest pool and dig around for goodies. A quick wing clip will keep them grounded, so many pet muscovies fly off and end up in the wild population.


Do you actually want ducks? Is controlling the mosquitos the only thing you want them for? They are messy, but worth it to me.

Don't let them become another unwanted problem, make sure you actually want them.

I have four ducks and two drakes and I'm looking for more females to even out the numbers.

The ducks.

And the drakes.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Post pictures on here if you get them! We love duckies!!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

@casportpony do your ducks get mosquitoes? I have no mosquitoes where I live! @HuevosModesto you can also attract wild birds with a birdbath, bird houses, bird food, etc- and they will get rid of em' mosquitoes like crazy!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovy are also called the Mosquito duck. A lot of research and thought should go into whether ducks are right for anyone. There would be a lot less abandoned ducks and other animals if that would happen first.

 

[HuevosModesto]

I'm not sure how well ducks will do for a creek, sure they will eat some larvae but it won't put a stop to all of the mosquitos. You will need to feed them only at the duck house, otherwise they won't come back at night. If they aren't protected at night you will quickly loose all of your ducks.

I have muscovies, they love to stand in the dirtiest pool and dig around for goodies. A quick wing clip will keep them grounded, so many pet muscovies fly off and end up in the wild population.

How frequently do their wings need trimming?


Do you actually want ducks? Is controlling the mosquitos the only thing you want them for? They are messy, but worth it to me.

I like having fresh eggs from my chickens, and the added benefit of insect control seems like a plus. Messy isn’t an issue, they’ll be in a spot where it’s already messy.

Don't let them become another unwanted problem, make sure you actually want them.

I have four ducks and two drakes and I'm looking for more females to even out the numbers.

View attachment 1687643

View attachment 1687644

The ducks.
View attachment 1687645
And the drakes.
View attachment 1687646

 

[Duckworth]

Bats are very good at devouring mosquitoes. You can attract them by mounting a bat house in a tree or other elevated place near your creek. They require no maintenance. Their house should be located somewhere where their guano won’t be a problem for the stream, animals, or humans. Bats can carry rabies, as can many other wild animals, so a bat house should be located to minimize interactions between bats and humans or other animals. Bats are indigenous to many places, so putting up a bat house allows you to encourage them to live where you want them to instead of wherever they currently live.

If I didn’t have other reasons to want ducks, I would probably not get them just for mosquitoe control.

 

[TheBeardie]

Use this:
https://www.chickenkeepingsecrets.com/keeping-chickens/clipping-chicken-wings-why-when-how/

I trim after a molt. The previously trimmed feathers will fall out and they will be able to fly again. Probably about once a year.

The eggs are large and great for baking. Here's some muscovy eggs next to Bantam chicken eggs.