Bare Basics in duck needs???

[lindsay297]

I am looking for information on what ducks need for care. I know the basics for chickens and want to do right by my ducks (coming in 4 weeks time). I am getting Welsh Harliquin Females if that makes a difference. So here are my questions.

1. In a cold weather environment (northern Ontario) what do they need for water in winter? A Pond? A water dish?
2. With predators around and cant free range, what are space requirements like? Inside coop? outside in run?
3. What is the bare minimum in numbers for ducks to be happy? A pair? A trio? more?
4. For females do they need a nesting box? Or is the floor with bedding workable?
5. With heat for ducklings, how long till they can go outside and be without a heat source? (We are down to 12C here at night)
6. Do they need water and feed inside at night? As ducklings? As adults?
7. What is best to feed adult females? Layer ration like chickens? Flock raiser?

Anything else anyone can tell me would be great. I have used this website many times for researching chickens before mine came and am looking forward to joining the "duck side" of things.

 

[Amiga]

Welcome to the Duck Side!

I agree this forum is amazingly valuable for information and moral support. My thoughts are inserted into the quote. Check out the Stickies, too.

I am looking for information on what ducks need for care. I know the basics for chickens and want to do right by my ducks (coming in 4 weeks time). I am getting Welsh Harliquin Females (congratulations!) if that makes a difference. So here are my questions.

1. In a cold weather environment (northern Ontario) what do they need for water in winter? A Pond? A water dish? I keep my runners and buffs at night in a shelter that is no colder than about 5C (40F), with a watering station that prevents bedding from getting soaked. In the watering station is a two gallon straight-sided stock pot. The straight sides keep them from tipping it over. They drink from it at night, and in the morning on sub-freezing days, or days that we don't go out first thing due to blizzard conditions, their morning refill of water is used for bathing. They figured this out for themselves, I just watch and cooperate. So I bring a pot of water, they splash for an hour, and then I replace it again and they drink from it the rest of the day. Most days, I empty the outside swim pans (concrete mixing pans, they are tough and easy to dump and refill) and hoses at night, then fill the pans in the morning. I do have a submersible heater, but don't use it much. Many people use heated livestock watering buckets or dog water buckets. Depends on availability of safe electrical hookups. I feel that ducks don't absolutely need ponds. In fact, ponds can be dangerous for ducks and make it more difficult to keep them safe.

2. With predators around and cant free range, what are space requirements like? Inside coop? outside in run? My ducks have about 7.5 sq.m (80 sf) in their winter shelter, and about 6 sq.m (65 sf) in their summer shelter. When I am not nearby, they stay in a 15 sq.m (160 sf) day pen, covered with fencing top, bottom and sides. On the bottom, there is coated chain link sandwiched between two 15 cm (6 in) boards that run around the edge of the pen. That is designed to keep larger animals from digging under and into the pen. From memory, I recall Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks recommending 2.5 sq.m (25 sf) per duck if they don't free range. Since we take our ducks out for walks two or three times a day, and have limited space, this was my best. I also recall the Guide recommending about 1/3 sq.m per duck for a small breed as shelter space.

3. What is the bare minimum in numbers for ducks to be happy? A pair? A trio? more? Some people have pairs, a few have a single duck due to extenuating circumstances, but it seems that three is the minimum that many of us feel is good. Ducks love a flock, and should any be separated due to illness or injury, or die, having three means there will be two left. Of course, sometimes one ends up with a single duck and needs to decide what to do from there. My aim was to have three ducks. I had read that mortality can be high, so I figured I should start with six. But ten was the minimum from the hatchery I wanted to order from. They sent an extra duckling. Drei and Neun passed away from illness. Then I found Romy and Michele, the Buffs. This is just a warning about "duck math."

4. For females do they need a nesting box? Or is the floor with bedding workable? My ducks have used cheese boxes for nesting boxes, but they got bored with them. They make their own nests from straw that I give them. They have also made nests just piling up wood shavings.

5. With heat for ducklings, how long till they can go outside and be without a heat source? (We are down to 12C here at night) Rule of thumb is 32C (90F) the first week, dropping about 2 degrees C (5 degrees F) per week till they are okay at the outdoor temperature. Since you are getting ducklings later in the year, you need to pay attention to keeping them warm enough especially at night, IMO. I found having a thermometer very helpful. Also, watching their behavior tells you if they are too warm or too cold. Many people on this forum are much less concerned about heat for ducklings, saying they are fine just cuddled together in a box. My approach is to give them extra care while young so that their bodies can use their energy for growth and development rather than for avoiding hypothermia. Once they are fully mature, about seven months for runners, then I don't hover so much. I just hate losing an animal I care for.

6. Do they need water and feed inside at night? As ducklings? As adults? As ducklings, yes, for the first several weeks. I kept them with food and water at night till they were ten weeks old. Others pull it a few weeks earlier. No food without water, or they may choke. I prefer giving the ducks food and water 24/7, as I feel it reduces stress especially with my rescues.

7. What is best to feed adult females? Layer ration like chickens? Flock raiser? People have been successful with either of those. I feed organic layer pellets, plus free choice oyster shell, treats, and what they can forage on walks. Fresh greens are a big boost, and I keep vitamins/electrolytes/probiotics handy for occasional extra nutritional support.

Anything else anyone can tell me would be great. I have used this website many times for researching chickens before mine came and am looking forward to joining the "duck side" of things.

Water management is key. Figure that out and you reduce your own anxiety. Ducks love water, and they splash. Keep triple antibiotic ointment on hand to treat bumblefoot early. Ducks are wonderful animals, full of personality. Give them fresh water in which to wash their heads frequently, starting when they are ducklings, to avoid infections of the eyes, ears, and sinuses.

Take a look at the watering systems used by gryeyes, tweetysvoice, 70%cocoa, OldGuy43, and others.

Ducklings can get themselves into surprising difficulties. Don't assume they won't get stuck, fall, run into things. Cats, dogs, people's feet, and little cousins are all dangerous.

Ducklings need three times the niacin chicks do. So if you have to use chick starter, add niacin to their water (100 to 150 mg per gallon) or sprinkle brewer's yeast on their food. Otherwise, they might have neurological problems that often present as leg problems.

I will stop for now . . . .

 

[Going Quackers]

Southern Ontario here! It's 9 here this morning so unless something improves and if they are little you will need a lamp at least for overnight and late afternoon, i have some new babies here and i had to pull mine out when our humidity went out the door, in the warmer part of the day i do bring them out for some playtime however, i just watch for signs of chill, i believe our heat is supposed to return Thursday in these parts at least.

Feed is a personal thing, many ways to do it as well as opinions.. i choose the flock raiser(Purina) with oyster shell because i have chickens, drakes and various ages so this keeps things simple.

In winter i use heated water buckets, i will continue to dump there pool so long as i can keep it open in the daytime but eventually it's a lost cause.. i have yet to buy a heater to keep a pool open, i had some issue with my birds fleshly faces last year( i only own Muscovy) so i'd prefer not to overdo winter water usage.. but that is another will depend on the person's set-up and personal way of doing things, mine would bathe in the snow lol As long as they have access to water deep enough to keep those nares clean i don't worry in the brutal temps.

I don't know the SQ for ducks... i know it depends on the breed to as some are bigger.. for us we opt for as big as possible but i have many ducks(in the teens..) and them being 'scovie means they are of larger stature.

Nesting boxes? not really, mine have found quiet corners in the barn and fluff the bedding back... i do have a section that is under a shelf(Muscovy like to roost) that the girls have raised nests under but they'd do it about anywhere that suited their fancy.

Ducklings should be left with feed/water 24/7 as for older birds.. another personal preference, i leave mine with it all the time.. mind you the feed will run out overnight but you get the idea.. my mornings can be hectic so i prefer knowing i can be delayed & they are not waiting for either.

Ratios said are 2-3 ducks per drake.. I have truly found personality makes a difference in what works and what doesn't too.

I started with ducks THEN got chickens.. ducks are way messier so be prepared.. they adore water, mud and to tromp through things.. plus with needing access to water to bathe either through a pond of kids pools(that is what i have) you'll be cleaning/dumping/filling often. I consider them more high maintenance.. they are worth it BUT that would be the biggest difference between to the two types of poultry and likely what surprises most.

I probably have repeated everything Amiga has said LOL

 

[OldGuy43]

Just curious, how many are you getting? You do realize that each one lays 240-330 eggs per year?

 

[lindsay297]

Thank you all for your advice and candid information..... I am getting 4 females and am glad to hear that the numbers should be ok. I have 11 2yr old layers already and sell a lot of eggs to friends and what not. So not as worried about egg numbers. I picked the Harliquins because they lay so many a year. I will definitly look into the water situation and make a decision on how to go about that when they head out to the pen we are building. In the mean time the brooder will be warm and have a waterer set up for them 24/7 with duck starter on hand as well.

Thank you all!! I will keep this on handy for sure as we prepare.