Basic Questions

[roostersandhens]

Someone dumped domestic ducks at someone I know's house. Well, she said they seem tame, like they could pet them etc. Anyways, she is terrified of birds, so she doesn't want them. I am thinking of taking them. There are 2, one male and one female. So I am thinking of taking them. But to help me decide, I need to pretty much know how you take care of ducks. Ineed to know things like what do they eat, can I keep them with chickens (LF Leghorns), etc. So if anybody can tell me all the things I need to know that would be great! Thanks!

 

[Finny]

Someone dumped domestic ducks at someone I know's house. Well, she said they seem tame, like they could pet them etc. Anyways, she is terrified of birds, so she doesn't want them. I am thinking of taking them. There are 2, one male and one female. So I am thinking of taking them. But to help me decide, I need to pretty much know how you take care of ducks. Ineed to know things like what do they eat, can I keep them with chickens (LF Leghorns), etc. So if anybody can tell me all the things I need to know that would be great! Thanks! 

Ducks and chickens can co-exist, but ducks should have a separate house than chickens for nighttime because they are WAY messier and likes things wet.
I feed my males game bird feed and females should have layer feed during laying season. You can get these at a local feed store. Ducks also need to be able to stick their whole heads underwater at a minimum. So make sure the waterer is deep enough for that. Good luck

 

[roostersandhens]

Ducks and chickens can co-exist, but ducks should have a separate house than chickens for nighttime because they are WAY messier and likes things wet.
I feed my males game bird feed and females should have layer feed during laying season. You can get these at a local feed store. Ducks also need to be able to stick their whole heads underwater at a minimum. So make sure the waterer is deep enough for that. Good luck

Thanks for the quick reply! I have several chicken coops so I can keep the ducks in my smallest coop (2 - 3 chicken coop). I never use that coop since it I have no flocks of 2 - 3 chickens. I can get a deep waterer Can I feed ducks layer pellets? Like the same as I feed my chickens? And since they only need layer food in laying season, I need to ask is laying season spring I assume? And then do the ducks need to have a pond all day, or could I just fill up a little plastic pool for 30 minutes to an hour each day and watch them? Because I have a friend who lost half there chickens because they drowned in their duck pond.. Anyways, I will keep thinking about whether I can take the ducks. It is hard because I am getting 6 hens this weekend, and I have to drive 7 hours to do it and blah blah blah..
Thanks!

 

[Finny]

Yes the feed you give your chickens are fine. I don't have females (I keep an all drake flock) so I don't know when laying season is, but I do know ducks don't lay in the winter. They may lay every other season besides winter.

Ducks don't need access to a pond or pool 24/7 but they do need to be able to wash themselves off every day or so. They would appreciate 24/7 access but I understand the problem with the chickens.

Adding more birds is always hard, but trust me ducks are worth it . Mine make me laugh every day and I love just watching them. Ducks have such unique, quirky, and funny personalities! You will really enjoy them! Do you have any idea of what kind of duck they are?

 

[roostersandhens]

Yes the feed you give your chickens are fine. I don't have females (I keep an all drake flock) so I don't know when laying season is, but I do know ducks don't lay in the winter. They may lay every other season besides winter.

Ducks don't need access to a pond or pool 24/7 but they do need to be able to wash themselves off every day or so. They would appreciate 24/7 access but I understand the problem with the chickens.

Adding more birds is always hard, but trust me ducks are worth it

. Mine make me laugh every day and I love just watching them. Ducks have such unique, quirky, and funny personalities! You will really enjoy them! Do you have any idea of what kind of duck they are?

Okay thanks so much for the help! I don't know what breed. I haven't even seen a picture of them! The lady who found them in her yard doesn't know anything about ducks so she doesn't know the breed. I may email her, possibly ask for a picture. I really hope I can take them! I am hoping they are a smaller breed but size is no issue! Thanks again!

 

[Finny]

Okay thanks so much for the help! I don't know what breed. I haven't even seen a picture of them! The lady who found them in her yard doesn't know anything about ducks so she doesn't know the breed. I may email her, possibly ask for a picture. I really hope I can take them! I am hoping they are a smaller breed but size is no issue! Thanks again!

Please keep me updated

 

[veronicasmom]

If you have a drake and a hen, you would be better feeding an all purpose feed and supplementing with calcium/oyster shells. Layer pellets are not all that great for drakes.

They need a clean bowl of water to wash faces all the time. Bathing is optional, but I think it is only fair to provide them with something they can splash around in daily. A small pool, large pan, etc. They need a safe predator proof night area. I'd watch them to make sure the one drake is not over breeding the female, it can happen. The answer there is at least one more hen.

Search around the site here, a lot of good info on new ownership

 

[roostersandhens]

Please keep me updated

Okay!

If you have a drake and a hen, you would be better feeding an all purpose feed and supplementing with calcium/oyster shells. Layer pellets are not all that great for drakes.

They need a clean bowl of water to wash faces all the time. Bathing is optional, but I think it is only fair to provide them with something they can splash around in daily. A small pool, large pan, etc. They need a safe predator proof night area. I'd watch them to make sure the one drake is not over breeding the female, it can happen. The answer there is at least one more hen.

Search around the site here, a lot of good info on new ownership

Thanks for the advice!

 

[veronicasmom]

Let us know if you get some ducks. They are such great pets, so comical.

 

[roostersandhens]

Let us know if you get some ducks. They are such great pets, so comical.

I never heard back from the lady, I think the ducks may have left.