Since my SO is growing very weak on the whole keeping chickens thing...first I could have a 'few', then it was '10-12', now it's 'you'll probably want to let them breed too', I'm thinking of going for ducklings while his defenses are down. Here's my question:
I know that I would have to keep the ducklings close to the house and have their own little pen/wading pool while they're small, but after they are grown could they be taught to go to our larger pond (about 1/4 mile from the house) and return to their pen at night, especially if I went to get them and walk them home or would they want to be down at the pond full-time? I am worried about predators at night. We have a smaller pond that is within view of the house, but it's always kinda yucky from the cows doing whatever it is that cows do in water.
I can't help but look at our pond and think how empty it looks without some ducks.
P.S. We do have egrets that spend some time on the pond. I'm guessing the ducks and the egrets would be okay together.
I know that I would have to keep the ducklings close to the house and have their own little pen/wading pool while they're small, but after they are grown could they be taught to go to our larger pond (about 1/4 mile from the house) and return to their pen at night, especially if I went to get them and walk them home or would they want to be down at the pond full-time? I am worried about predators at night. We have a smaller pond that is within view of the house, but it's always kinda yucky from the cows doing whatever it is that cows do in water.
I can't help but look at our pond and think how empty it looks without some ducks.
P.S. We do have egrets that spend some time on the pond. I'm guessing the ducks and the egrets would be okay together.