Breeding Ducks

[goosemama]

Have ducks for the first time. Bought 4 Pekins mid April and 6 Rouens July lst. All are doing well and tolerating each other in fenced area w/pond but to my chagrin WILL NOT come in henhouse for night - only during day to eat grain. Does anyone know if these two breeds will crossbreed? (actually saw 2 of the Pekins mating in the pond today!) Didn't think they would mate until next Spring. 2nd question - will a racoon kill a duck? Have seen racoon tracks around the pond after a rain and evidence he is pilfering our corn from the garden - so fences are no problem for him.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[duckboatprincess]

They will crossbreed. How many total ducks do you have and then out of that total, how many drakes do you have?

Yes, a racoon will kill a duck. Typically, they will only eat part of it. They have been known to reach through fencing and grab heads, wings, and legs. You can try herding them into the pen or not feeding them until night and then once they go in, shut the door.

 

[rainplace]

We just finished our new duck house. Last night it took me two hours, in the rain, after sunset, to get those brats in there. I had to follow through since we have both coyotes and raccoons that run around in our area. I was not a happy camper, trust me.

I didn't feed them all day today 'cept what they can forage for. I kept the food in the new duck house and would occasionally shake it and entice one or two to briefly and skittishly come in and take a bite or two before running back out while the rest milled around outside making a racket.

This evening I made a "corral" out of scrap plywood that I herded them into and it took me a bout 15 minutes to get them into the new house. I suspect it will get easier throughout the week.

If you know you have raccoons, then please take the time to get them in their house if that is the only secure place for them. It is a pain, but if you don't follow through this https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=236112 is what can happen.

 

[FenDruadin]

Yup, you need to get those little brats tucked cosily into bed at night, no matter how many final glasses of water they ask for before you turn out the lights. Oh wait, we were talking about the DUCKs. Yeah, they need to go in at night too.

I have lost too many ducks to predators to have any illusions about their safety. One night spent outdoors is all it takes (or one tiny gap too small to seem important, or one loose post that can--surprise--be pushed aside--or... well, you get the picture).

Raccoons will definitely eat a duck. Nearly anything will eat a duck--cats, dogs, weasels, raccoons, possums, owls, hawks, snakes, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, even turtles. Good luck with your babies. I look forward to pictures of pekin/rouen crosses.

 

[Goat_Walker]

A duck is A Duck and YES they will definantly cross breed. And Racoons are very capable of dragging away a duck.

 

[goosemama]

Thank you to all who responded to my Duck questions!! It was a big help. I can tell you all have Brats (I mean ducks) because that's just how I feel sometimes. I bought 4 Pekins at the Farm store April 24th and have 2 males and 2 females (how great is that???). Wanted Rouens but they didn't have any so ordered them through our local Agway. Six straight run Rouens turned out to be 3 males and 2 females. Which means possibly one duck dinner this Fall and I'm left with two pair of each - 8 total.. They seem to get on fine with the chickens (in fact were raised as babies in a large aviary with them since they were the same age. I just confiscated my husbands garden shed this summer (we're going to trade 8xl0 henhouse for l2x20 garden shed) Good deal for me huh? haha. With enough room I think they should all be ok together over winter. Anyone have any thoughts on that idea? Let me have'em!

But I really don't know how I am possibly going to get them in the henhouse with a 40x20 pond to escape to? They just laugh and swim to the other side (which is a steep bank next to our house and there is NO WAY I can even get close to the water in that area. Oh Dear. One solution comes to mind and that is to remove the feed hopper I have outside by the pond. I will MAKE them come into the barn if they want grain. But I have a feeling they will run in during the daytime and when sundown comes head for the middle of the pond and laugh at me. Only solution is to get water wings and dive in after them!

 

[rainplace]

Maybe you can not feed them at all till the evening for a while. Unless they are getting all they want/need from the pond it may work.

I've read on here before where people put treats like peas in a can and jingle it before giving it to them. They do this when the ducks are around. Afterwards they can be on the pond or elsewhere and they here the jingling and they come running.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Heck yes! once they are big enough to be out of the brooder, mine only get fed in the evening this encourages them to get their butts out there and search for food all day. but allows me to be sure they get enough to eat at the right time. I feed waterfowl pellets and use a large coffee can to measure out the ration. Handfull of pellets in the can and shake it, stand back because they will walk, run or even fly to get their food. With full bellies they tend to quiet down fast and sleep at night.

 

[FenDruadin]

Oh yeah--I feed only at night--it is the ONLY way I can get mine in off the lake in our backyard every night. When I release them in the morning, I grab the eggs & the feeder, and bring it all in. They're all in the lawn waiting for me around 3 o'clock when I put them up for the afternoon/evening. It actually took me a while to work out this routine--it used to be a real PIT* to get them in at night, but no longer!