Can I let my ducks free range??

[Jacob Duckman]

I free range my ducks during the day. No fences. They will run around the property but seem to know the limits very well, they don't wander.

The two big predators to look out for around where I live are cats and hawks.

My ducks have a tendency to stay in shaded areas, but it is still a small risk. It is good to set up some cover for them.

Cats can be a problem too. My Rouen drake is pretty large, and over 10lb and extremely territorial so he may have a running chance, but many smaller flightless ducks are defenseless.

Keeping them cooped at night will save them from raccoons, carnivorous rodents, and owls in most cases.

 

[WaddleWagon]

I have two Pekins living south of Denver. I wonder about letting them free range during the daytime but worry of Hawks not so much snakes, never see anything bigger than a garter snake in our yard, it's fenced in but just not overhead hence the worry of Hawks. Any suggestions? I want them to roam as much as possible

 

[Cherib603]

From what I understand, full grown pekins are not likely to be bothered by hawks.

 

[Wood Dude]

We live on a pond and would like some ducks to add interest to the pond. I was considering putting a shelter on the end of our dock with am opening and a ladder into the pond. Do you think that will work. Any suggestions on interesting ducks to get?
Should I wait until Spring to get the ducklings.

 

[Cherib603]

We live on a pond and would like some ducks to add interest to the pond. I was considering putting a shelter on the end of our dock with am opening and a ladder into the pond. Do you think that will work. Any suggestions on interesting ducks to get?
Should I wait until Spring to get the ducklings.

First, be sure there are no snapping turtles in your pond, and second, do you plan to lock them up in the house at night to protect them from predators? Will you be feeding them? Will the duck house be on the same dock you use and walk on with bare feet? Cuz ducks WILL poop a lot!

 

[Wood Dude]

I don't plan to manage them at night. I expect them to go to the safe-house on the dock. Predators will not be able to get into the safe-house (an unlocked open house that is shielded from everything that can't enter by water).

I plan to make feed available if they can't sustain themselves on pond food.

The safe-house will be shielded from the dock, so they won't be able to walk from the safe-house onto the rest of the dock. If they decide to sit or roost on the dock, we'll have to figure out how to deal with the poop.

 

[Cherib603]

What about snapping turtles?
And is this a small backyard pond or a public pond?
If you haven't got them yet, wait for spring so you have the maximum amount of time to get used to their habits and needs and vice versa.

Please read EVERYTHING on this site about keeping ducks, because like it or not, they will be YOUR responsibility and you'll need to know how to treat them if they get sick, attacked by something, cold in winter etc.

 

[DCMuffin]

Our three mallards free range with the chickens. Since we have two dogs and have decided that they simply aren't going to interact, we allow the chickens and ducks to free range from about 5:30 in the evening, after the dogs have eaten and gone out, until dusk. At dusk, everyone simply goes back into their run on their own. The chickens go inside the coop and roost, the ducks go to their pool to float and hang out until just minutes before dark, when they hop out, waddle their way to the coop and settle in on the straw under the roosting table. It's adorable lol. Since we have not yet completed the cover on the run, I securely lock the coop door every night.

 

[Lilki]

I don't plan to manage them at night. I expect them to go to the safe-house on the dock. Predators will not be able to get into the safe-house (an unlocked open house that is shielded from everything that can't enter by water).

I plan to make feed available if they can't sustain themselves on pond food.

The safe-house will be shielded from the dock, so they won't be able to walk from the safe-house onto the rest of the dock. If they decide to sit or roost on the dock, we'll have to figure out how to deal with the poop.

Would raccoons be able to get to the safe house? They can and will swim and are know for having a voracious appetite for ducks. Around here they are more of a worry than bobcats, coyotes, and skunks combined. Little buggers..

 

[beccaWA]

Raccoons took out half my duck flock, so yes they are tenacious and dangerous.