Considering raising ducks...

[theawesomechick]

I've been really interested in ducks lately. Although it's not possible for us to raise ducks at the moment, I'd really like some information on duck-raising basics, which is not so readily available as chicken-raising info. I have questions such as "Why raise ducks? What are the benefits?" and "If I do decide to raise ducks, how do I go about doing that?"

 

[Pyxis]

Ducks are awesome! I had ducks before I even had chickens. They can eat the same food, although they should not have the medicated kind. They do need a water dish at least big enough to dunk their heads in so they can clear their nostrils, but they are happiest with a small kiddie pool. Some ducks are better layers than chickens and will give you more and larger eggs. Their eggs are excellent for baking and anything you make with them will be richer and moister than if you use chicken eggs. Duck egg brownies are out of this world. Additionally, if a recipe calls for two large chicken eggs, you can substitute one duck egg. They need housing to get out of the weather if they choose, but they are hardier than chickens and you might not catch them in it all that often. Mine live right in my coop with my chickens. Really, they're not all that different from chickens besides the water requirements. And ducklings are cuter than chicks! Plus they provide comic relief around the yard.

 

[Richb353]

Welcome aboard,
Excellent place to start your research. A lot of good information to find trolling the duck forum. For what it's worth, I started my duck farm last Fall, so I'm still a newbie, but learning fast. Here is my story,

I live on 5 acres in Central Florida with nothing on it. I wanted some sort of livestock and to work the land so it didn't seem like such a waste of space. (Keep in mind, I grew up in NYC and hated it, but I digress). One of my neighbors was bragging to me about a couple dozen chickens he has and that he has not bought eggs in over a year. With that many chickens, most of his co workers benefit as well. So there I was standing in the TSC poultry supply aisle picturing having chickens on my property.

At the end of the aisle was a book rack loaded with farming mags and books........and a Duck magazine. I bought the Duck magazine and never thought about chickens again.

Here is what I've learned:
Everything takes longer and is more expensive than expected (story of my life). But I completed a fenced in pasture and built an enclosed duckhouse out of old fenceposts. Plan accordingly.

I didn't realize the extent of my predator problem until I lost most of my first batch of ducks. I've set traps and have a rifle, but the best prevention has been putting the ducks in a secure pen at dusk. I know I've lost a duck as early as 8 pm, but I think most were taken in the early morning hours.

Unlike chickens, ducks go everywhere together. It's entertaining watch the group meander the property, so I had to get more. I let them wander if I am working in the yard, but they are easy to locate and herd back to their pasture when it's time to go.

I now have two duck houses that I connect together for my bigger flock. Both are open bottom and have wheels. Once the babies are out of the brooder and on their own, I will move the quack shack once a week to fertilize another section of pasture. You can tell from the very green squares of grass where I put the duck house most often.

Other than letting them out in the morning, feeding them and then at dusk feeding them and putting them in their quack shack, they do not consume much of my time. Poultry feed seems cheap to me, almost unnecessary considering the ducks forage all day long anyway.

I'm not going to eat my ducks, but I do expect to have plenty of eggs in the near future. I expect my omlets to taste a little different, but add enough cheese and ketsup and who can tell. Besides, "home grown and free" make things taste better. Supposedly ducks eggs are healthier and better for baking than chicken eggs.

Ducks seem like more of a novelty than chicken, IMHO. My family and in-laws (all city folk) are enamored by my hobby duck farm, especially the little nieces and nephews. I feed them by hand almost every day, but when my 4 y/o nephew feeds one by hand, his day care hears about it all week long.

I can go on all night, so just PM me if you have any other questions. Some of the people on the forum have thousands of posts and a wealth of knowledge. Decent people all of them.

Enjoy,
Rich

 

[Finny]

I love my ducks! They make me laugh every day and they are gorgeous and adorable . They require the same care as chickens but they should get unmedicated feed and at a minimum they need a waterer that is deep enough for them to dunk their whole heads under. Also, ducks impring on you! I am currently raising a lone duckling and introducing him to the rest of my flock, but he is a mush! He won't go anywhere with out me. I love him to death. I hope you decide to get ducks they are amazing!

 

[theawesomechick]

I'm afraid I may have to wait a few years before I can consider getting ducks... we have our hands full with chickens and city ordinances as is! I'm just trying to get educated about raising ducks so I can consider it.

 

[NotaZoo]

We have always had ducks, blue swedish, but we have always purchased them at aout 10 week and they have a full 5 acres to run with a very large pond. But we thought we would buy some runner ducks at our local feed store this weekend. I have raised chickens from 3 days on but never ducks and I am having trouble finding information. can some one help?

First, what type of bedding should I use? Straw, hay, litter, shavings?

Second, I have read that their food needs to be wet is that true?

We were planning to keep them in the house until they are about 4 weeks and then move them into a large dog run until they are fully feathered, will this worK?

any other tips would be helpful

Thanks

 

[NotaZoo]

We have always had ducks, blue swedish, but we have always purchased them at aout 10 week and they have a full 5 acres to run with a very large pond. But we thought we would buy some runner ducks at our local feed store this weekend. I have raised chickens from 3 days on but never ducks and I am having trouble finding information. can some one help?

First, what type of bedding should I use? Straw, hay, litter, shavings?

Second, I have read that their food needs to be wet is that true?

We were planning to keep them in the house until they are about 4 weeks and then move them into a large dog run until they are fully feathered, will this worK?

any other tips would be helpful

Thanks

 

[Richb353]

Welcome Aboard,
My recent batch of 10 Cayuga and 11 Welsh Harlequin are nearly 3 weeks old now. You are right, the monopoly of poultry information focuses on chickens. The cost of being unique I suppose. Anyway, here is what I can tell you from my limited experience.

I just use coastal hay from TSC. I cover the bottom of a 5' round kiddie pool brooder about twice a day. So far, one square bale has lasted me about 3 weeks. The ducks will leave the kiddie pool in the shed and get moved to a secure pen in their pasture in the next few days. After that, their new pen sits directly on the ground, so they will have grass to nest in.

Ducks must have water nearby when you feed them. My routine is to replace/refill the water containers first, before providing their food. The only time I have heard of wet food is in the case of a sick duck. Can't remember where I read it, but I made sure to have plain oatmeal available in case a sick duckling needs a little extra encouragement to eat. All my ducks have arrived healthy and active so there was no need. My wife likes the oatmeal, so that is not wasted either!

I was going to put the 3 week old ducklings into their pen and pasture set up today, but this cold front moving through is going to keep them in the shed for another day or two. They haven't needed a heat lamp in over a week, but then, I am in central Florida

Enjoy,
Rich

 

[theawesomechick]

We have always had ducks, blue swedish, but we have always purchased them at aout 10 week and they have a full 5 acres to run with a very large pond. But we thought we would buy some runner ducks at our local feed store this weekend. I have raised chickens from 3 days on but never ducks and I am having trouble finding information. can some one help?

First, what type of bedding should I use? Straw, hay, litter, shavings?

Second, I have read that their food needs to be wet is that true?

We were planning to keep them in the house until they are about 4 weeks and then move them into a large dog run until they are fully feathered, will this worK?

any other tips would be helpful

Thanks

I'm having the exact same problem! I can't get in-depth and specific information about ducks, just general care. Oh, random question, do ducks like scratch?

 

[buff goose guy]

I've been really interested in ducks lately.  Although it's not possible for us to raise ducks at the moment, I'd really like some information on duck-raising basics, which is not so readily available as chicken-raising info.  I have questions such as "Why raise ducks?  What are the benefits?" and "If I do decide to raise ducks, how do I go about doing that?"

Ducks are very easy just be sure to have a body of water for them , they do best out of a cage where they can roam and swim in a pond or lake when needed ,

They are very broody some more than chickens , my recommendation would be to start out with Muscovy ducks and you'll fall in love with all ducks after those .