ducks in a small yard

[eco2pia]

I'm north of Seattle now....I grew up in Oregon.

 

[Wifezilla]

I let me ducks out in the garden in fall and spring and randomly throughout the winter. It has greatly redcuded my slug problem. I can't let them in the garden as things grow because they love plants as much as they love slugs

 

[eco2pia]

Thanks, I had a similar plan, I use bird netting around my new baby plants now for my chickens, but my DH says ducks will require something sturdier.

I planned chicken wire staked with rebar. My garden has a wheelbarrow path all the way around it so I could always have some way to maneuver them to the part where I do want them to eat...I doubt they will hurt 8 foot corn stalks for instance, but I bet corn seedlings are a delicacy! I wish I could find sturdier bird netting that is still flexible though, I know it exsists. It would be easier to roll up and put away!

Thanks to all the info here, I am getting ducklings in the spring!

DH has conditionally given his blessing, I have 3 months to prove that they will not be to big of a PITA--for him that means not too smelly. Since I plan to have only a pair of bantams, I am sure I can figure a way to manage the pooping. I am hoping to have a raised pen like they use for Calls, and make the future duck house double as a brooder, so that after the first week or so they are outside. Wish me luck!!