Ducks on a lake thread

[pikelake]

I just thought I'd share this for anyone who might be interested, as it’s very different from how the majority of, if not all people keep their ducks. I started a little experiment this year; keeping ducks on a lake. This is in contrast to last year where I kept 2 geese and a few calls on a small pond; this year it should be a lot more birds on a large lake.

I made a small 5’x5’ floating raft out of cedar and barrels, placed a cage on it, and put my 4 khakis in there. I have been feeding them by hand since they were a day old, and I repeated this process on the raft so they learn that it’s where they can get food if they want it.

Today, I let two of them out, and they're doing well so far. Tomorrow I’ll be letting the other two out and removing the cage. Eventually there should be at most 52 ducks and 3 geese on the lake. In winter they'll live in a barn. If you keep yours on a pond or lake I’d love to see pictures and hear stories!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Where are the 52 ducks coming from? Is this duck math?
Also, lakes are generally not private - well not around here. Is this a private or public lake?
I am too protective of my ducks - I haven't even let them free range in my yard yet.

 

[chickens really]

It's illegal to release domestic Birds in a wild habitat...Fines are up over 10 thousand dollars in certain circumstances..

 

[blackandtan]

Hahaha I live on pike lake too...in Canada....just took my ducks for a swim there today lol. A lonely wild drake tried to join the flock yesterday but my boys chased him away

 

[pikelake]

It's illegal to release domestic Birds in a wild habitat...Fines are up over 10 thousand dollars in certain circumstances..

I see you are from Canada, which may be the case there. I emailed the Dept of Natural Resources about a year ago and the guy I was directed to stated there is nothing preventing anyone from letting their ducks swim on lakes, public or private, as long as said person doesn't abandon them. Mine haven't been abandoned or dumped, I still feed and take care of them. I guess you could call it luxury free range. In winter they'll be taken to a barn.

Where are the 52 ducks coming from? Is this duck math?
Also, lakes are generally not private - well not around here. Is this a private or public lake?
I am too protective of my ducks - I haven't even let them free range in my yard yet.

They're coming from hatching eggs or as ducklings from breeders, assuming all survive, and the lake is sort of public. There's only 5 docks, of which I know the owners and they don't care. The rest of the lake is all wilderness.

 

[pikelake]

Hahaha I live on pike lake too...in Canada....just took my ducks for a swim there today lol. A lonely wild drake tried to join the flock yesterday but my boys chased him away

Now I know of 5 different pike lakes..

 

[chickens really]

I see you are from Canada, which may be the case there. I emailed the MN DNR about a year ago and the guy I was directed to stated there is nothing preventing anyone from letting their ducks swim on lakes, public or private, as long as said person doesn't abandon them. Mine haven't been abandoned or dumped, I still feed and take care of them. I guess you could call it luxury free range. In winter they'll be taken to a barn.



They're coming from hatching eggs or as ducklings from breeders, assuming all survive, and the lake is sort of public. There's only 5 docks, of which I know the owners and they don't care. The rest of the lake is all wilderness.

Yes as long as they are not released or interfere in natural habitats of Wild water fowl protected ...

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Hope it works out. I would be afraid of a predator getting my ducks especially ones that can't fly very well.

 

[blackandtan]

Good luck with them, I'd love to keep mine by the lake all the time but as it is they are free range all over the yard, there is a pond and a nice muddy/froggy ditch for them; when they want a good swim they walk down to the lake, or they follow the dogs

 

[GldnValleyHens]

Wish I had a lake or at least a pond for my ducks. Those are cute duckies, but I don't think they're Calls. Look to be Khaki Campbells or some other standard size