duck questions!!!!???!?!?!?!?!

[rhodeislandred18]

i have several duck questions...
1. do you suggest getting chicks or hatching
2. do they rele need a pond 2 swim in
3. how long does it take for them to mature
4. is fall a good time 2 raise them

thanks,
rhode...

 

[ducklover15]

1. If you want the ducks as pets and you want them to really be attached to you it probably would be a better idea to hatch them, but this can be difficult sometimes.

2. Yes ducks love water and they need something to swim in even if it's just a kiddie pool.

3. They become sexually mature around 5 months of age.

4. Fall is okay as long as you keep them warm. Summer would be a better time.

 

[rhodeislandred18]

thank you ducklover15! very helpful! how do you suggest 2 house them???

 

[streemers]

mine have a house but the ducks never use it!

 

[monarc23]

Mine put themselves to bed in the barn everynight in a wire dog crate

LOL

 

[Sillystunt]

i am in Florida so all year is good for us. I didn't hatch mine and he follows me around the yard nipping at my leg,looking at me with love, trying to tripp me when i walk....... Mine was young and we raised him with our chicks we got. they are now older and sleep together in the coop.

Mine didn't swim till older since i was told not to let him since i didn't have mom's oil on me(lol) da i am not a duck! But i know some who do in a shallow pool, now mine is larger and he loves the kiddie pool we have

 

[Wifezilla]

1. do you suggest getting chicks or hatching
2. do they rele need a pond 2 swim in
3. how long does it take for them to mature
4. is fall a good time 2 raise them

1. Either. I have one duck I hatched out and 4 I bought as 3 day olds. The one I hatched is very friendly, but so are 3 of the hatchery ducks. One of my hatchery ducks never really bonded to me, but bonded to another duck very strongly. He is still a nice duck though.

2. Many breeds do not HAVE to have swimming water, but they really do love it and it helps keep them clean and healthy. A kiddy pool will work fine if a pond is not an option.

3. Around 6 months

4. It is a bit easier to raise them in warmer weather since you can keep them outside. One reason to specifically raise them in fall is so that they are ready to lay eggs by the time Spring comes around and daylight is long enough to trigger egg laying. So if you hatched out eggs in October, the females would be laying by April. If you have electric in your brooder area or a warm barn, fall is fine. If power and heat are a problem, stick to spring.​

 

[rhodeislandred18]

thank you