Do Ducks need Water? (I'm a chicken person!)

[BaaKaaawk]

Hi guys, I can answer anything about chickens... but when you talk ducks... I'm lost!

Was thinking of getting just 1 duck to add to my chicken flock... but I'm guessing that like chickens it's not just as easy as "adding a duck". Any beginner tips for a long-time chickener?

 

[lomine]

First suggestion is to get two ducks. Ducks can get along with chickens but they are happiest with their own kind.

As for water, ducks need water when they eat, otherwise they can choke. They can get that water from nipple waterers. That's what I have in my coop. They also need water deep enough to dunk their heads in to clean their eyes and nares. In winter I provide this in heated buckets. Bathing water is technically not necessary but they will be healthier and happy with it. They don't need a giant pond. Many people provide swimming water with kiddie pools, livestock tanks, and/or cement mixing tubs. Large livestock feeder bowls work well too. They are easy to dump and refill daily. In winter I only provide bathing water on the warm days.

In the mean time, check out the Duck forum. There's a sticking post at the top of the page with lots of links to helpful topics.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely don't get one and then getting two adds in different management in ways Of water and wetness. Chickens should be dry and Ducks prefer wetter areas. Ducks need to dunk heads and swim to oil freathers. A Drake would be no good with chickens because he could breed them..Separate pens and different management and you can have Ducks too..

 

[quackiemama]

Yes they do need water and warning they are pretty messy. It always amazes me how wet they get things. BUT they are so much fun to have around and bring so much joy. I have kiddie pools and buckets of water for them to drink. Even in winter I give them swimming water unless it is below freezing. They do not seem to mind the cold at all.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Ok thanks guys! Appreciate the helpful insight! Honestly, I think you guys kind of talked me out of it for now. I have enough going on and it sounds like it is not a simple add... so thank you very much!

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you have the property you can keep ducks an chickens together. Mine are all together on half acre fenced during the day and even sleep in the same house at night. You just don’t put food an water inside with ducks or you’ll have a huge mess. But my chickens an Muscovy roost an my Runners an Buffs sleep in the shavings on the floor. Only thing I added in the last few years was poop boards so my floor sleeping ducks wouldn’t get pooped on. My geese an young Runners each have their own houses. Plenty of water buckets an a kiddy pool and that’s all they need.

 

[Duck_life]

Don't get one duck, 2 is best, I have this one duck who will only stay with my chickens and she sometimes bites them if they drink from HER waterer, the waterer must be deep enough to dunk their heads in to clean it out, yes I believe they need water because unlike chickens, they don't roost at night, they are up most of the time.

 

[Duckie doodle]

Hi guys, I can answer anything about chickens... but when you talk ducks... I'm lost!

Was thinking of getting just 1 duck to add to my chicken flock... but I'm guessing that like chickens it's not just as easy as "adding a duck". Any beginner tips for a long-time chickener?

You should get atleast 2 ducks because ducks are very social and do not do well alone. If something was to happen to 1 of the ducks, try to find a friend fairly quick. Ducks can get depressed if left alone. Ducks need water to drink. They also need water to keep clean and preen thier feathers. You can use a kiddie pool for that and be sure the water is always clean so they don't drink any feces or mud the water gets dirty fast. You can use shavings or straw for bedding. Ducks do not need a place to roost and they do not need a nest box but you can get them one. Be sure to not feed the ducks any medicated feed as well.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Ducks can live with chickens. It's difficult, but they can.
I own one duck with seven chickens. Used to have two, but the other was taken by a fox, so now my one duck lives with the chickens.
She's pretty happy, I think. I can't keep water inside the coop, so I have two waterers and a dish of water in the run, plus a kiddie pool, for them. It works out great.

 

[lomine]

Ok thanks guys! Appreciate the helpful insight! Honestly, I think you guys kind of talked me out of it for now. I have enough going on and it sounds like it is not a simple add... so thank you very much!

Yes, they do add an extra dimension of work and can make things more complicated. I thinks it's a great idea to wait until you are certain and ready.