Duck questions for a possible new duck owner...

[rebelgal23]

ok i got a few questions about call duckss.Is there like any tricks on raising them or up keep on them cause i have talked to a few people about them and some said that their hard to raise and others said that their not hard at all to raise.I am really interested in the butterscotch and grey call ducks.But i want to know how to raise them and how much trouble it will be to house them and everything.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Do you mean hard to hatch - or hard to take care of as ducklings? I have heard from a friend that has some that they can have problems due to their short beaks- and also that they can fall on their back and not get up because of their shape as well. As far as housing goes - they can be raised just like any other duck- but they can be easier as adults - as being so small you can keep them in a smaller area- but just remember- they are called "calls" for a reason- they can be very loud.

 

[rebelgal23]

I dont have a clue on anything about ducks except they like to swim and quack lol.But a buddy of mine said he would help raise them with me so i have a lil help.But as their young (babys) what all do you do to take care of them?

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:
True. Hard to hatch, roly-poly and LOUD little things.
They are much the same to brood/raise as other ducks.
They need non-medicated feed, access to clean water for drinking/cleaning nares(and eventually for swimming). They do require heat for a bit, just like baby chicks. I house my Calls in pens with a shelter and I do lock them up at night. They are SO loud, they can call in every predator for miles-I have to protect them from themselves, in that respect.
They can fly(and they will given the chance), but mine always panic and come back to rejoin the flock.
Calls require less space and a smaller swimming area than larger ducks.
All in all, they are wonderful little birds.
I like your choice of colors as well.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

I feed quail starter for extra protein and for supplement will boil chicken eggs and mash them up with oatmeal. Just gives them more nutrients. I think ducks are alot dirtier than chickens to raise.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Well right here is a great place to start. You have a wealth of information in the search function- but if you have more specific questions members are only to happy to help out.

Basically to raise ducklings you need-
Food and water
Housing
Heat.

How complicated you make those three fundamental needs is up to you.

Some people have elaborate brooders constructed and others house their ducklings in a plastic tub- or even a cardboard box. Some people may use a proper ceramic globe for heat- other just reading lamps. You can improvise with some things you may already have in your home. Im sure there will be other members along that can share some information with you about how they brood their ducklings too, But in the mean time this is a sticky from the top of the forum to get your research started. Ducks can be very messy- and need water deep enough to get their whole face into to keep their nostrils and eyes clean- so finding something that works can sometimes be a challenge.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3333169#p3333169

 

[rebelgal23]

thank yall so much for the information.I think im goin to wait til this spring or summer to buy some calls,so i dont have to worry bout the heat or electrisity going out on them (done went out 2).But from what yall tell me it wont be that hard but everyone was tellin me that i dont want to get into ducks because their so hard to keep and stuff but i am gonna give ducks a try.