Duck Questions

[ChickensForEggs2500]

Hello! As some of you might know, I am considering getting some duck friends this spring. The breeds I am 99.9% sure about are a Welsh Harlequin, a Khaki Campbell, a Black Swedish, and an Indian Runner of some sort. I thought I would ask a couple questions. My local feed store probably won't have all of the breeds I would like at the same time, so how could I intergrade them?

The biggest duck house I can build is 5x6'. How big should I build it for four to five ducks? Thoughts?

I am planning to feed them Nutrena All Flock with some oats added to cut some of the protein. They have to share a feed with my chickens, so any other suggestions are very welcome!

I don't really know what to do for swimming water, but I was planning on using a 14-15 gal concrete mixing tub in the winter, and a small kiddie pool in the summer. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SolarDuck]

I think 5x6 should be fine for 4-5 ducks, as long as the 14-15 gal tub is big enough for them to get into and splash around it should be fine for winter, as long as you change the water 1-2x everyday.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Please don't cut the protein with oats. The feed is formulated properly. Just curious, why do you think you need to lower protein?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I think you have a much better chance of everyone getting along if you get them all at the same time. You might look into spending a little more upfront and ordering from a hatchery. You can order the genders you want and avoid issues later. You would want all the same gender or only one drake with four hens.

 

[SolarDuck]

I agree that they will get along best if you get them all at once, but its fair to want to start with just a few so you can see which breeds you like best. I think if you don't get them all at once, it could be a good idea to start with a few ducklings l, and then when you decide to get more ducks try picking up adult ducks on your local Craigslist or a local farm and add them just 1 at a time. I think if you added 1 at a time then it might encourage the new one to really hang out with the existing flock. If you wanted to get more ducklings and raise them up and then just introduce the 2 flocks to eachother im sure it will be fine, they might just hang out with the ducks they grew up with more than the others. The more time they spend together the more accepting they will all be of eachother. I started with 2 girls, and then added 2 more adult girls 1 at a time and it worked out very well for me. One of the new girls I just added a few weeks ago but she is already doing great and hanging out with the others all day long.

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

Please don't cut the protein with oats. The feed is formulated properly. Just curious, why do you think you need to lower protein?

Thanks! I just thought that 20% was too much protein for ducks, but please correct me if I'm wrong. If that is too much protein, is there another all flock feed that would situate their needs better?

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

I think you have a much better chance of everyone getting along if you get them all at the same time. You might look into spending a little more upfront and ordering from a hatchery. You can order the genders you want and avoid issues later. You would want all the same gender or only one drake with four hens.

Thank you! What hatchery do you recommend?

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

I agree that they will get along best if you get them all at once, but its fair to want to start with just a few so you can see which breeds you like best. I think if you don't get them all at once, it could be a good idea to start with a few ducklings l, and then when you decide to get more ducks try picking up adult ducks on your local Craigslist or a local farm and add them just 1 at a time. I think if you added 1 at a time then it might encourage the new one to really hang out with the existing flock. If you wanted to get more ducklings and raise them up and then just introduce the 2 flocks to eachother im sure it will be fine, they might just hang out with the ducks they grew up with more than the others. The more time they spend together the more accepting they will all be of eachother. I started with 2 girls, and then added 2 more adult girls 1 at a time and it worked out very well for me. One of the new girls I just added a few weeks ago but she is already doing great and hanging out with the others all day long.

Thank you! I know my local feed store has WH, KC, and Runners almost all chick season, and probably at the same time. I'll most likely get those three and keep my eyes out for any discarded little "Easter gifts" for sale near me. We usually get our chicks during/around Easter anyways, so I'll be checking Craigslist for those constant impulsive buys.

How did you get your ducks to live together? If you could explain the process or refer me to an article or something that would be great. Thanks again!

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

Oh! Also @SolarDuck, what do you use to let your Muscovy's swim in?

 

[SolarDuck]

I just use a little 40" kiddie pool that I got from target, when I brought in the 4th duck I decided to also just buy an extra one that is a bit smaller. Mine are sweethearts I kind of just put them together and they were pretty good. I only had 2 when I brought in the 3rd they were pretty accepting of her. I think it would maybe be a good idea to just let them be in a pen in the presence of the other ducks for a day or 2 before actually letting them together. When they first see eachother they will need to work out their pecking order but mine were pretty accepting after that. I think it depends on how accepting your duck flock ends up. My original 2 were less accepting of the 4th that I brought in, and I have been putting her in a different coop at night with the 3rd duck because they get along very well. I would put them all in my main coop together now but I just don't feel like having to catch them to train them to go into a different coop. It's only been a few weeks since I brought in the 4th but they are all integrated now and all get along well. Sorry if I typed too much lol