ducks and water...

[CrazyChookLady5]

hi guys
I'm thinking of getting ducks, but I'm not sure what to do with water. can ducks drink out of the poultry nipples? and would my chooks try to drink out of the duck pond?
thanks

 

[CrazyChookLady5]

also can ducks drink out of the poultry cups??

 

[Amiga]

Ducks need to be able to wash their entire heads frequently to avoid sinus, ear and eye infections. So while I believe they can drink out of cups and nipples, that does not cover their health needs for washing off.

 

[laughingdog]

The immediate health risk of choking on food or debris that can clog sinus and throat, is one of a few reasons ducks should be expected to be able to at least sponge bath.
I've heard of many first time duck owners of hatchling to adult ducks of all kinds that have had that happen to, as well as had that happen to my first duck while i was gone. some haven't had that trouble yet, but for reasons or luck, but why take the chance..
You could use water ect jugs with holes cut out for their heads to only fit in, for example, as have heard works well, or look up or experiment with other ideas so they can wash heads and not make a mess (hehehe great luck with that!).
Ducks also need to be able to wash whole body and wet oil gland to spread their oils all over them and their ducklings, to stay clean, pest free, dry, and a lot warmer than and at least as warm as chickens as as don't produce as much heat, have to heat those feet and bills.
plus aside from being amusing as all get up to watch, bathing swiming and diving is a natural behavior thats great for bordom and their mental well being. Ducks without water to sponge bath in at least seem to fight a lot more and worse, and ducks without water to bath in don't breed well or at all supposedly, and ducks without enough water tend to get a lot more skiddish it seems. most knowledge or opinions from on here or only from my own scovy only.
Muscovy ducks are known for not needing pool or pond, less cold hardy, and a lot more varied in feed and many habits, are different species of duck more to mostly "wood duck" than mallards or others commonly kept, that are at least mostly mallard breeds.

 

[laughingdog]

My scovy get those clear square icecream pales to drink and dip in, and the water waste/spill seems minimal, though i spill more than than they do, as i pour. i also have railroad ties, filled with pea gravel, to drain water and poo. ducks have sensitive feet, and next common thing is: "if you can comfortably walk on it, they can", and if its not comfortable for you to walk on barefoot, then they may probly develope foot trouble from. also don't feed medicated chicken feed, and make sure your ducks get enough niacin, protien for molting quicker and easier (supposedly cat kibble works good for), and enough but not too much whole corn for cold.

That is i think all the basics i can think of I've learned on here from those more experienced than myself (that i thank greatly for posting over and over for us newbs).
Hope I'm getting theses correct, not boring anyone, orstepping on toes ect.. if these are correct, can anyone help make these in a sticky for more to know so problems can be evaded (just try to do something better please than my sloppy one)???

 

[Going Quackers]

hi guys
I'm thinking of getting ducks, but I'm not sure what to do with water. can ducks drink out of the poultry nipples? and would my chooks try to drink out of the duck pond?
thanks

also can ducks drink out of the poultry cups??

You'd definitely need the add on cup, all that said it could only an option of water not THE option of water. Confused? lol meaning, i can use these



but the ducks also need an option to clear nares so you need a bowl/bucket etc.. i adore rubber livestock bowls, durable, can withstand temps(hot/cold) and easy to scrub and dump.



All ducks need access to bathing water, while my Muscovy are not as die hard as my calls and buffs they still need to be able to clean, so kiddy pools and even these larger livestock bowls are a good option.



My fave is my troughs though but not everyone can accommodate such things. I ran two 50GAL and a kiddy trough for the main flock and another 40GAL for the calls.