Ducks

[jacobwujek]

Hello everyone. Have a question, my wife and have a 2 acre pond that is heavily stocked with bass and couple other fish. We want to get ducks but I'm wondering will the try to eat all my fish? Or will feeding them by a coupe keep them full enough not to eat my fish

 

[Isaac 0]

Keeping a healthy amount of ducks (8-15 Ducks per acre as recommend in Storys guide) Can actually be beneficial to the pond's health. They can quickly kill invasive species and also provide valuable manure to the pond, which in turn helps feed the fish. At least 20% of a ducks diet includes fish/snails/worms, but I wouldn't be concerned about them overeating given you have a healthy amount of ducks per volume water. I couldn't see them eating big bass if anything they would eat some small chad or baby bass.

I would recommend feeding them either a Formulated Duck feed or an All flock Feed, Both include more niacin then ordinary layer feed, which is essential to a ducks health. They will also need some sort of shelter to be protected from the elements and predators. Does your pond have snapping turtles? They can pose a serious problem to ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[jacobwujek]

Keeping a healthy amount of ducks (8-15 Ducks per acre as recommend in Storys guide) Can actually be beneficial to the pond's health. They can quickly kill invasive species and also provide valuable manure to the pond, which in turn helps feed the fish. At least 20% of a ducks diet includes fish/snails/worms, but I wouldn't be concerned about them overeating given you have a healthy amount of ducks per volume water. I couldn't see them eating big bass if anything they would eat some small chad or baby bass.

I would recommend feeding them either a Formulated Duck feed or an All flock Feed, Both include more niacin then ordinary layer feed, which is essential to a ducks health. They will also need some sort of shelter to be protected from the elements and predators. Does your pond have snapping turtles? They can pose a serious problem to ducks.

Hey

Keeping a healthy amount of ducks (8-15 Ducks per acre as recommend in Storys guide) Can actually be beneficial to the pond's health. They can quickly kill invasive species and also provide valuable manure to the pond, which in turn helps feed the fish. At least 20% of a ducks diet includes fish/snails/worms, but I wouldn't be concerned about them overeating given you have a healthy amount of ducks per volume water. I couldn't see them eating big bass if anything they would eat some small chad or baby bass.

I would recommend feeding them either a Formulated Duck feed or an All flock Feed, Both include more niacin then ordinary layer feed, which is essential to a ducks health. They will also need some sort of shelter to be protected from the elements and predators. Does your pond have snapping turtles? They can pose a serious problem to ducks.

Hey. Thanks for the info. I've tried looking it up all over the internet and can't find a direct answer. But you did that for me. Appreciate it. I haven't seen a snapper yet, we do have painted turtles here and there and lots of nutes though. Also with the food, is that something I could get at a tractor supply or would that be at a pet store. And one more question (sorry new to ducks, had chickens my whole life but don't know much about the ducks) , would 4 ducks be good or should I do more.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Rec reading Storeys guide to raising ducks. It’s a great book to have! Welcome to BYC

 

[Isaac 0]

Four ducks sound like a good amount to me! Most feed stores have All flock feed or flock raiser, duck feed is a little bit harder to find.

 

[Jpat]

losing some smaller bass can create a better ecosystem for the mid size bass and lead to some massive fish

 

[jacobwujek]

Four ducks sound like a good amount to me! Most feed stores have All flock feed or flock raiser, duck feed is a little bit harder to find.

Ok. Thanks for the help. One last question (till I have them, then I'll probably have more) what kind of ducks should I get. I love the Mallards but I had a merganser land in my pond, they're gorgeous. So what should I get

 

[Isaac 0]

That's up to you, there are a lot of breeds to choose from. What are some characteristics you are looking for in a duck?

 

[jacobwujek]

That's up to you, there are a lot of breeds to choose from. What are some characteristics you are looking for in a duck?

I don't know, I guess ducks that would get a little more attached to you. If that's a thing. I have a nice pond and am building a nice dock with another floating dock as well. I wouldn't mind being able to chill on the dock in the morning or evening and have them swim around me . Sorry I really don't know anything about them yet