Considering ducks as my first fowls

[CT]

Hi all,

This is my very first post here!

I have recently moved to the country and have what seems to me a huge backyard--and not one domestic animal (except our goldfish, who isn't much for getting out in the backyard). I had been thinking I'd like to try chickens and/or ducks eventually for eggs, but after reading a bit about their appetite for insects I want them NOW! Not that we have insects in the dead of winter, but I know that the mosquitoes and wasps are coming.

I was thinking just a few--maybe two muschovies (for their reputation as willing to eat stinging insects) and two campbells or runners (for cuteness and laying reputation)--but do I have what they need? I have almost 3 acres, most of which is backyard, but the small front yard does end with a fairly busy road. The yard is like a long strip that ends in the back with a stream. That section of the stream is upstream of the dam, so it's broad, slow-moving, and has a lot of swampy area on the bank most seasons. There are currently NO FENCES ANYWHERE. My plan was to fence off an area which would include the pear tree (a very large one that draws loads of stinging insects) and a predator-proof coop. But I also want to let them loose in the yard to enjoy the young woods (no mature trees yet) and the stream. But will I simply loose them? The stream runs through several towns, and we could not fence a section of it for both logistical and legal reasons.

Will they wander off? Can they avoid dangers like the road (can't imagine what would attract them toward the front yard), hawks and perhaps foxes (I found a dug up turtle nest and a fox is the likeliest suspect) during the day? Will they follow me back to their coop at night? I don't plan to brood them--at least not this year--so I don't have to worry about ducklings once the ducks themselves are grown.

Basically, I love the idea of having cute bug-to-egg converters, but I want to do it right, giving the ducks a good life and not annoying the neighbors. Nor do I want to buy dinner for foxes, hawks, owls, or anyone else except my family. And I certainly don't want to set up a habitat only to lose the occupants because I didn't know that I couldn't let them out in an unfenced yard and stream.

Thanks in advance. I'm loving the duck stories and pictures you all have posted.

--CT

 

[Amiga]

CT, you have a fine place for ducks. They do need some infrastructure, though! It doesn't have to be massive or exotic.

You will have predators, you got that right!

So, especially for night-time, the ducks will need as secure a space as you can make. I am building Little Fort Knox. The main features (that I recall right now) are (some I have finished, some are planned)

Half inch hardware cloth - not chicken wire - this should prevent critters reaching through and grabbing the ducks, which they will try
Where I could (on three sides of their outside pen), I dug an 8 inch deep trench and placed concrete blocks (4"x8"x16") on their sides to discourage digging under the fence. The side that couldn't be trenched as the blocks placed flat, extending out 16" from the edge of the fence, with large rocks another foot or so.
half inch hardware cloth on top and underneath
hardware cloth over all ventilation openings
latches complicated enough to thwart raccoons (considering locks, because there can be two-legged predators)
sliding door with lock

My place - about an acre - is not fenced. I have some temporary fence that I plan to use to provide movable forage areas for the ducks. I can put the fence around the areas I want them to work (my main reason for them is slug patrol), and move that daily. I have some deer netting that I can use across the top, to discourage hawks.

I think I am going to get a charger for an electric wire around the pen and shelter at night, perhaps one wire at the bottom, one at the top.

My FIL is giving us a fiberglass pond liner, about 10 inches deep. That will be their pond. Runners (the kind I am ordering) don't have to have a full pond, just plenty of water for washing, playing, drinking. That water will be fertilizer for my gardens. Most of the gardens are downhill from the duck area, so I can siphon the stuff off, or bail it out.

Some people repurpose dog houses, but be sure there is NO WAY for skinny little predators (like weasels, who only need a one inch diameter for entry) to wiggle in.

One woman told me she had used a nursery monitor, so she could hear what was happening and respond quickly to intruders.

When the ducks are full grown, hawks will be less of a concern, but there is always the heartbreaking exception. From what I read, raccoons, foxes, coyotes are the predators most often encountered.

For what it's worth, here is my list of known predators in my area;

fox
coyote
bobcat (yup)
domestic dogs & cats
owls
hawks
raccoons
possums
skunks
rats

If you have extremely delicate sensibilities you may want to skip reading this next idea: Another suggestion I have seen for security is to have a male (yourself if this applies, or a friend) donate urine that can be sprinkled around the perimeter of the night pen.

Muscovies can fly, so you can either use that to your advantage or decide to clip wings. Runners can sort of get a running start and hop a long distance, but they are not generally considered flyers. That makes them more susceptible to predation. Runners don't have to have access to open water. I don't know about muscovies - there are many here who can help you with that.

So, to prevent wandering, I would seriously consider some type of movable fence. There is even electric woven fence you can set up and move around.

Have fun!

 

[Wifezilla]

When the ducks are full grown, hawks will be less of a concern, but there is always the heartbreaking exception.

My only predator losses were to hawks. The ducks they got were both full grown. Since I live in suburbia, I THOUGHT my biggest problem would be stray dogs.

3 acres is AWESOME for ducks. You might need some geese too

 

[my1stchicks]

Your going to love having ducks! My muscovies are so sweet and no trouble at all, I did clip their wings though, gave them a beauty clip.
If I had your setup I'd have hundreds!!