Free Range Ducks

[PBGGG]

When should we let our ducks out? We have had them for five days, and they are pretty used to us. But we are getting a horse in the next ten days, and we dont know if we should let them out of their pen now, or after the horse comes.

Also, do the ducks stay away from electric fences? Or will they walk up to it and get zapped?

 

[5SweetChicks]

I would start letting them out after the horse comes so its not change one day and then change again in a few days.
I'm not sure about the fence. They might stay away from it, or go under or over if they can.

 

[Going Quackers]

Is the horse familiar with ducks? they can be a bit er, concerning if they are not, they can kick, stomp etc at ducks.. i would recommend giving the horse some time to settle in and the ducks too before letting them loose.. anyway to pen them near the horses so they can see each other?

I know nothing about electric fencing, we don't have any, i would assume if it's high enough they will duck(lol) under it but they may also hear the snapping and stay away. My main horses fields are just page wire.

 

[PBGGG]

Thanks for the information, guys!!

 

[Hulahooper]

Horse fencers have different voltage levels, if yours is strong and one of your ducks hits it, it can seriously hurt them, possibly kill them. An average 15hh horse weighs between 900 and 1000 lbs. So a fence that is strong enough to keep a horse in maybe really dangerous to something as small as a duck. My electric fence is two strands of wide tape fencing. Only the top is hot.
Also, some horses are totally freaked by small animals and will stomp them. I would wait a good long time to let the horse settle in completely before letting the ducks around him/her. If your horse is dealing with new sounds, smells, routines, it might not be a good idea to throw something into the mix like ducks that might trigger the horses self preservation instinct.