Duck Lawn Destruction

[Alpine Bobwhite]

Hi,

I asked some questions about ducks in another thread and now I have another question.

How destructive are ducks, lawn/grass wise?
+ are there any breeds of duck which are less destructive?

If we had ducks we would only have two. We live in the UK and the garden is ~260m² (I think my maths worked). Most of it is grass but there are borders and we have slug problems.

Thanks in advance

 

[Yardmom]

Overall the ducks don't eat much grass, but if there is a spot they choose to hang out a lot the poo can build up. The other thing that ducks do is make holes with their bills. I often see this around water sources.

 

[Alpine Bobwhite]

Overall the ducks don't eat much grass, but if there is a spot they choose to hang out a lot the poo can build up. The other thing that ducks do is make holes with their bills. I often see this around water sources.

Thank you for your input! I had read "horror" stories of how ducks can turn a lawn into a mud patch, especially if it gets wet.

 

[ruthhope]

Hi,

I asked some questions about ducks in another thread and now I have another question.

How destructive are ducks, lawn/grass wise?
+ are there any breeds of duck which are less destructive?

If we had ducks we would only have two. We live in the UK and the garden is ~260m² (I think my maths worked). Most of it is grass but there are borders and we have slug problems.

Thanks in advance

Ducks are not destructive to lawns like chickens are as they dont scratch at the ground. They like greenery and will eat plants--mine like long strapped lily leaves and anything growing in my raised vegetables beds. They also like asparagus shoots and so my asparagus has a small, wire fence round it as do my raised beds. Duck poo is good for lawn fertilizer as it doesn't burn grass like chicken poo can do

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

How destructive are ducks, lawn/grass wise?

As @Yardmom has stated, ducks don't eat a lot of grass : they prefer to search the ground for diverse arthropods instead...

(Ducklings and juvenile ducks do eat A LOT of grass, but it is because they need it in order to have an optimal growth...)

+ are there any breeds of duck which are less destructive?

I would guess that bantam ducks are less destructive...?

• • • •

What do you want ducks for, exactly?

For eggs...?
As ornemental birds...?
...As pets?

If we had ducks we would only have two.

If possible, take at least three ducks instead : if you only have two, and then one dies... the other one might let itself die from loneliness...!!

(You also need to think about the fact that your ducks have to speak the same language...!!)

and we have slug problems.

Your ducks are going to be your heroes, and you won't know how to live without them anymore once they get rid of your slugs.

I had read "horror" stories of how ducks can turn a lawn into a mud patch, especially if it gets wet.

They can, indeed...

Ducks dig holes in the ground when it is wet/humid, so to forage for worms.
And a small hole can quickly end up growing in a "small pond", if the ducks keep digging (the same one) - gradually - by the days...

But with a small group of ducks, you really should not have such an issue with 260 square meters of grass...
...and if ever you do, you can just prevent your ducks from accessing to the then muddy part of your yard - at least until your grass grows again!