Ducks as Pets

[Batduck46]

Thanks everyone for the quick, helpful advice.

It really means a lot, and I might be able to talk my parents into ducks now that we know the mess is not a major problem.

 

[Zoological647]

Kiddie pools are the greatest invention for keeping a few ducks happy.
When I was a kid/teen, I had a small group of about 10 mallard/rouen ducks
that I could walk about 1/4 mile from our house to a stream and they would
swim and bathe for about a half hour and them come back to the bank
to dry off and I'd just easily herd them back for the hike home. They learned
the routine quickly never went by themselves. When I was in college, I had
a hand-raised single Pekin (Hannible) that I'd drive him in the car to a
local park that had a lake, let him swim and he'd come out dry off and
we'd go home. Lotsa fun.

 

[Ashleymarie529]

I keep ducks in an urban area and it's been fun so far. I will say this, if my HOA knew that I had ducks and chickens in the backyard, they may be unhappy... but so far no one knows my secret this dumb HOA doesn't even want us to have a baby swing in the front yard!! My inner farmer defies them and their city slicker ways.

 

[Batduck46]

Ashley-

Which state do you live in? Not sure how our HOA will feel...? Hey, the law says two of every animal max, sooo

 

[Ashleymarie529]

I'm in Houston TX BABY!!!

 

[Batduck46]

My dad is from Houston

 

[Ducks4us]

We had chickens first. And then last year i added a couple ducks. Messy but well worth it. However they chased our chickens and kept our chickens from their food. And i ended up selling them.
This year we bought some new chicks from a local breeder who didnt know she had a couple bad diseases in her flock. So the new chicks passed it on and we ended up having to cull all the chickens.
So im replacing them with all ducks.
I liked ducks personalities better
They dont get mites and lice because they are in water so much
They dont have as strong a pecking order. I always had a chicken who made others combs bleed or picked other feathers.
Ducks i hve been told live longer, lay longer. Do better in rain, and winter. And handle heat better.
They cant fly.
Cant jump the fences.
From what i have read supposed to be more hardy.
So in my opinion the only downside is the pool/ mess. But thats the only con.
For me there is far more cons with chickens .
I ordered 10 female runner ducks. they ship march 6th and i cant wait!

 

[Batduck46]

I have heard good things about runners. Thanks for the reply

 

[Ashleymarie529]

My dad is from Houston 

We Texans are proud to be in Texas
#bigstatebigpride

 

[Zoological647]

If you want to go for an odd breed duck try Indian runners.
https://runnerduck.net/photos.php