Ducks? (Breeds and pen/pond) (lots of pictures)

[ShrekDawg]

And oh yeah, we'd probably fence a small area or just be out there a lot. We also have a dog so he'd probably help deter them some, he loves laying outside, barks at even just people walking by, and is half black Lab, half Great Pyrenees so it's somewhat his job anyways, though he's never been around them. Mom watched goats.

But obviously that's not a 100% effective deterrent so I'd probably build a fence and/or be out there often.

 

[Eggmonster]

I've not yet learned how to start a new post. Sorry for the hi-jack. Anyway, I have two ducks. They are about a month old and are getting big. I had no idea they would grow so fast. They are straight up water drinking fools!! One is a grayish brown (biggest) and one is black with some white with black and orange feet. I don't even know what kind they are. How big do they get and when can I expect eggs. They seem to be doing well with my 7 layer chickens too!

 

[ShrekDawg]

it's okay!!

I don't really know too much but from my little bit of research, I think they are fully feathered and ready to live outdoors full time by around 7-8 weeks, and how big they are depends on what kind they are but I don't think any of them get too too big. I do know that domestics are bigger than wild mallards though so they'll definitely be bigger than any wild ducks you see but aside from that, I don't really know.

And I think eggs might be around the same as chickens? 21 weeks? I thought I've heard 17 for some breeds though? I think it depends but either way, a ways to go still.

But yeah, they grow fast! I figured it must be the same as a chicken until I watched a Metzer Farms video on it the other day and looked at the page with pictures of them at the different ages (every week) and they grew FAST. I was really amazed. I think they said waterfowl grow especially fast for some reason. Maybe it has to do with them being related to the Mallards and the wild birds needing to be ready fast??

anyways, it's okay!!!

I just hope someone with more experience can answer both our questions lol

 

[needlessjunk]

If you are ever planning on getting chickens then skip getting male ducks. They can seriously injure or kill chickens since the anatomy of a duck is unlike that of a chicken. You should really look up duck mating. It's eye opening and just good stuff to know. I had 1 male and 5 females and he was over mating my smaller girls and had to be re homed. If you only keep males they are great but when mixing with females it isn't worth the trouble and headache.

I don't think your house is large enough for ducks and chickens. I personally am building a separate coop for my chicks. They are different than ducks and unless you have a very large coop/space for them to be together I think it's easier for them to have their own homes. The house you have now will need to be completely locked up tight at night because everything from coons to mink like to eat ducks. 1/2 inch hardware cloth over all the openings makes it so nothing can reach in and help themselves to an easy meal or head.

I free range my ducks in my fenced in back yard during the day. It will be up to you what you feel is best. Remember EVERYTHING likes to eat ducks. They are just super easy targets and have no way to get away or defend themselves. Neighborhood dogs do a lot of damage along with hawks.

Keep the ducks away from anything you want to keep clean. That little pond is not going to work out too well unless you can dump it daily. Your wonderful walkway will be covered in messy duck poop too. I hose off my patio a few times a day to keep it clean and I have a short stock tank that I refill every 2-3 days.

I have a mixed flock and they do great together. I have a blue runner, fawn and white runner, cayuga, welsh harlequin and white layer. My runners are loud but don't hold a candle to the rooster a few houses down.

 

[needlessjunk]

I've not yet learned how to start a new post. Sorry for the hi-jack. Anyway, I have two ducks. They are about a month old and are getting big. I had no idea they would grow so fast. They are straight up water drinking fools!! One is a grayish brown (biggest) and one is black with some white with black and orange feet. I don't even know what kind they are. How big do they get and when can I expect eggs. They seem to be doing well with my 7 layer chickens too!

Ducks grow super fast and will be full grown around 10 weeks. How big they get will depend on the breed. If you post a pic then we might be able to help you. Eggs happen around 20 weeks give or take and smaller breeds can lay as early as 17 weeks. I have smaller breeds and none of mine started laying before 21 weeks

in fact just this last week I finally got an egg from everyone and they are 23 weeks.

Have you seen this on raising ducklings? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[needlessjunk]

it's okay!!

I don't really know too much but from my little bit of research, I think they are fully feathered and ready to live outdoors full time by around 7-8 weeks, and how big they are depends on what kind they are but I don't think any of them get too too big. I do know that domestics are bigger than wild mallards though so they'll definitely be bigger than any wild ducks you see but aside from that, I don't really know.

And I think eggs might be around the same as chickens? 21 weeks? I thought I've heard 17 for some breeds though? I think it depends but either way, a ways to go still.

But yeah, they grow fast! I figured it must be the same as a chicken until I watched a Metzer Farms video on it the other day and looked at the page with pictures of them at the different ages (every week) and they grew FAST. I was really amazed. I think they said waterfowl grow especially fast for some reason. Maybe it has to do with them being related to the Mallards and the wild birds needing to be ready fast??

anyways, it's okay!!!

I just hope someone with more experience can answer both our questions lol

Also to start your own thread you go back to the main duck area and click on the start a thread at the top of the forum. If you are using your phone (like me) it's the box in the upper right hand corner with the reply arrow.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If you are ever planning on getting chickens then skip getting male ducks. They can seriously injure or kill chickens since the anatomy of a duck is unlike that of a chicken. You should really look up duck mating. It's eye opening and just good stuff to know. I had 1 male and 5 females and he was over mating my smaller girls and had to be re homed. If you only keep males they are great but when mixing with females it isn't worth the trouble and headache.

I don't think your house is large enough for ducks and chickens. I personally am building a separate coop for my chicks. They are different than ducks and unless you have a very large coop/space for them to be together I think it's easier for them to have their own homes. The house you have now will need to be completely locked up tight at night because everything from coons to mink like to eat ducks. 1/2 inch hardware cloth over all the openings makes it so nothing can reach in and help themselves to an easy meal or head.

I free range my ducks in my fenced in back yard during the day. It will be up to you what you feel is best. Remember EVERYTHING likes to eat ducks. They are just super easy targets and have no way to get away or defend themselves. Neighborhood dogs do a lot of damage along with hawks.

Keep the ducks away from anything you want to keep clean. That little pond is not going to work out too well unless you can dump it daily. Your wonderful walkway will be covered in messy duck poop too. I hose off my patio a few times a day to keep it clean and I have a short stock tank that I refill every 2-3 days.

I have a mixed flock and they do great together. I have a blue runner, fawn and white runner, cayuga, welsh harlequin and white layer. My runners are loud but don't hold a candle to the rooster a few houses down.

Thanks for all the info!!

But oh yeah, if I got either, it would probably be one at a time, at least for now, and if or when I do get chickens, they would have their own area, possibly at the top of the hill

I'll definitely have to cover the openings though. I'm assuming that's especially the little spaces under the roof? And do you think I should just put a board or something over that window in the back? I think I'd definitely need to add some sort of door or something too so it can be locked, like you said. I know we have raccoons (though I've never seen them), skunks, garter snakes, a fox family or two, and at least two coyotes. Also have a lot of deer, rabbit, turkey, chipmunks, squirrels and probably moles/voles/mice or something but those aren't really threats I don't think? Besides getting in the housing or food. And we used to have hawks but they haven't been around in a while but we still sometimes hear them so I'm sure they'll be back the second we get any sort of bird or anything. We don't really have stray or loose dogs but there definitely our dogs and they'd find a way to come over I'm sure. Plus our own dog.

I didn't even think about the walkway being covered either though, that's a really good point!

That's awesome they can be mixed like that I figured they probably would be able to but then that one article through me off. but thanks again

And do you find the welsh's calm?

 

[silkiecuddles]

To keep 3 ducks in a house the size of what you've got, you need to make sure to let them out everyday ASAP. Plus, they will make a huge mess in there EVERY night. You may want to not put food or water in there. Just let them out early every day and give them their meals out. Also, my Pekins can't fly but in the mornings when I let them out they flap a lot, feathers going everywhere. I used to keep hay in the pen, but I found out it's easier just leaving it with the natural dirt floor. Also, the hay doesn't absorb the water very well, making for a very mushy mess.
My four full grown Pekins are in a 8x8 dog kennel, and the ducklings are currently in a rabbit hutch. They will grow super fast, the ducklings have by far outgrown their chick roomies.
And like I said earlier, make sure they have water to dip their nasals in. Like don't use the nipple/pvc pipe waterres for them or rabbit bottles (which you can use for chickens)

 

[ShrekDawg]

To keep 3 ducks in a house the size of what you've got, you need to make sure to let them out everyday ASAP. Plus, they will make a huge mess in there EVERY night. You may want to not put food or water in there. Just let them out early every day and give them their meals out. Also, my Pekins can't fly but in the mornings when I let them out they flap a lot, feathers going everywhere. I used to keep hay in the pen, but I found out it's easier just leaving it with the natural dirt floor. Also, the hay doesn't absorb the water very well, making for a very mushy mess.
My four full grown Pekins are in a 8x8 dog kennel, and the ducklings are currently in a rabbit hutch. They will grow super fast, the ducklings have by far outgrown their chick roomies.
And like I said earlier, make sure they have water to dip their nasals in. Like don't use the nipple/pvc pipe waterres for them or rabbit bottles (which you can use for chickens)

Thanks for all the info!! It sounds like I'd definitely have to let them out early. Or maybe there's a way to somehow expand it or also get a crate or igloo or something so sort of 2 coops? Though that might not be very secure. That's interesting about the hay thing too. Unfortunately, this has a wood floor so I can't go the dirt route :/ but maybe there's something that is better than hay?

I'll have to remember that bit about the water too. I think I read somewhere too that it should be on like a wire shelf thing and a hole dug underneath it for adults or just a tray for babies because they will make a mess with the water?

 

[silkiecuddles]

You could use pine shavings (NOT cedar) and clean it out every few days. If you really like the ducks you should look into getting maybe a dog kennel like I have. Then that way you don't really even need a dog house. You could use a tarp even for a roof