Ducks that don't Die Horribly?

[Toad9000]

I love coming on here to read up on all the phenomenal information people share. But sometimes its a little depressing just how many posts are about ducks being torn to shreds by predators or wasting away from mystery disease. Just thought it would be nice to hear some stories from people who's ducks lived happily into old age.

Anyone got some?

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I love coming on here to read up on all the phenomenal information people share. But sometimes its a little depressing just how many posts are about ducks being torn to shreds by predators or wasting away from mystery disease. Just thought it would be nice to hear some stories from people who's ducks lived happily into old age.

Anyone got some?

I had one that I stood on as a duckling, one killed by savage older ducks, 3 eaten by wild cats, 1 eaten by hawks - these are all ducks under 3 months old my duck hatching hasn't been good for me.

Oh I got one! The pig pulled out the plus to the heat plate and one died to death from cold. Left 3 ducklings, 2 of which drowned in the pond when they escaped as they didn't have their full waterproof feathers, and it was a rainstorm. And the last one was the one I mentioned before, at 3 months old kkilled by savage older ducks.

There!

 

[The Moonshiner]

I don't think I've ever had a duck die of disease. I've always thought they were a lot more hearty than chickens or other poultry.

 

[Toad9000]

I had one that I stood on as a duckling, one killed by savage older ducks, 3 eaten by wild cats, 1 eaten by hawks - these are all ducks under 3 months old my duck hatching hasn't been good for me.

Oh I got one! The pig pulled out the plus to the heat plate and one died to death from cold. Left 3 ducklings, 2 of which drowned in the pond when they escaped as they didn't have their full waterproof feathers, and it was a rainstorm. And the last one was the one I mentioned before, at 3 months old kkilled by savage older ducks.

There!

I think you missed the point of the post

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I think you missed the point of the post

Well, the ones that drowned didn't die horribly

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I don't think I've ever had a duck die of disease. I've always thought they were a lot more hearty than chickens or other poultry.

They are, in my experience

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I currently have nine ducks. Two drakes and seven hens. The oldest is a 6-7 years old hen who no longer lays eggs. I had to put down my first duck last year at 8 years old (she was blind from cataracts and had trouble moving with water belly). I have never lost a duck to a predator (knock on wood). The youngest I have ever had a duck die was two years old from egg binding. I try to add at least one girl a year so that I get eggs in the winter. These are some of my babies (most are Dutch Hookbill’s, one Crested silver Swedish, one Khaki Swedish mix, and one Khaki Harlequin mix).

 

[DemeterAD9]

I haven't had ducks for very long, in fact I only have a m/f pair of khakis I raised this summer. I'm not surprised most posts are about them falling prey to wild animals. Health wise mine have been perfectly fine thus far.

From what I've seen they are stupid, incredibly so. My young hen thinks it is a great idea to "play" with the cat who can easily chomp on her neck if he wanted to. They are also too dumb to stay away from the turkeys so they often get pecked at as they run around in a circle trying to stay out of pecking range, yet they continue to follow them around and hang out with them. They can barely fly and running fast is simply not possible. An easy meal should any bold predator try to snatch them as they free range the yard. Luckily they have plenty of cover here and I trap the night time critters when possible.

They are certainly amusing though and love to play in the hose, less destructive to the lawn and flower beds than the chickens too. Waiting for eggs from the hen but I'm also still debated on if I should just eat them both. They are so messy and our deck to the backyard has now become the "poop deck" as they love to take their afternoon naps right by the sliding door...

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I haven't had ducks for very long, in fact I only have a m/f pair of khakis I raised this summer. I'm not surprised most posts are about them falling prey to wild animals. Health wise mine have been perfectly fine thus far.

From what I've seen they are stupid, incredibly so. My young hen thinks it is a great idea to "play" with the cat who can easily chomp on her neck if he wanted to. They are also too dumb to stay away from the turkeys so they often get pecked at as they run around in a circle trying to stay out of pecking range, yet they continue to follow them around and hang out with them. They can barely fly and running fast is simply not possible. An easy meal should any bold predator try to snatch them as they free range the yard. Luckily they have plenty of cover here and I trap the night time critters when possible.

They are certainly amusing though and love to play in the hose, less destructive to the lawn and flower beds than the chickens too. Waiting for eggs from the hen but I'm also still debated on if I should just eat them both. They are so messy and our deck to the backyard has now become the "poop deck" as they love to take their afternoon naps right by the sliding door...

Khakis are the best - I have one male, 3 female, 4 ducklings and 10 more developing the the incb