call ducks

[farmert]

We're thinking of getting call ducks if we can find them. Would like to hear from those who have them.

Also : how best to protect the ducks at night -- a MUST here. Just not anything fancy or $$, but secure, so I don't have to worry at night.

thanks

 

[Going Quackers]

welcome!

what do you want to know? they are super delicate at day or two old after that hardy little quackers, the females are QUITE loud, i even have a video of one of mine if you want hear that.

They fly and well! so that is something to think about.. as for safety, housing is the easiest way, or you can do a pred proof pen but that tends to be more costly.

I keep mine in a pred proof house and use a 10x10 dog run for them to get outdoors and on the ground. They love to swim and can be quite personable. Feeders need to be kept reachable.. i have had a few types with these guys.. a 3lb hanging feeder is good or a trough style... they have the same basic needs as any other duck overall however. I have found mine decently winter hardy, you can see they are out in the snow and swim often even in below freezing temps.

This is my quad... i keep one drake and 3 ducks.

 

[farmert]

Thanks!

You're ducks are very pretty. Is there a link to pred proof house designs? We have a barn but not sure we could fix something tight. Had hoped to have them hang out and free range during day. Have several baby pools.

What size are yours full grown?
Recommended drake/hen ratio?

What makes them so fun?

 

[Finny]

Thanks!

You're ducks are very pretty. Is there a link to pred proof house designs? We have a barn but not sure we could fix something tight. Had hoped to have them hang out and free range during day. Have several baby pools.

What size are yours full grown?
Recommended drake/hen ratio?

What makes them so fun?

All predator proof pens are going to be costly but not VERY costly. And the money you do put into it does not go to waste, it keeps your ducks safe. A predator proof pen includes a strong fence about 5 feet tall, fencing or strong netting over the top, hardwire cloth about two feet high on the outside of the pen and against the strong fencing (used ties to secure it to the fence). Lastly you need concrete slabs to place around the outside of the pen to prevent predators from digging under. I like to tuck a couple inches of the hardwire cloth under the slabs to help even more. This is for during the day. At night you need to build a duck house for them and they MUST be locked in at night. Mine is constructed of four pieces of plywood nailed together with some support beams, a door, a window with chicken wire in it that I can close and open (depending on the weather), and a ramp. Make sure the ramp is not too steep. I put pine shavings in it and clean it out twice a day which takes ten minutes tops. Also, the house needs to have ventilation. Since mine was hand built there are small gaps inbetween the boards that act as ventilation and the window helps.

It is recommended to have three ducks per drake. With some drakes you may need more than that, and with others you can get away with less. But three is always a good place to start.

Good luck