Getting Ducks- Need info

[Miss Lydia]

I think it would be cute

 

[Papmike]

Finally! I have convinced my dad to get ducks . Now I need info on housing, feeding and brooding. Show me ideas for coops, brooders and tips. Help is appreciated, thank you!

Hi 25chickens, Happy for you in wanting to raise ducks. You should look into your local 4H group for help as well as to prove to your Dad your serious. Your county extension service can help you get with the right group. Getting prepared makes the rest of the adventure much easier.

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Good ideas everyone, keep em coming!

 

[jspeese]

Ducks are great, but they aren't simply web-footed chickens. Even though various breeds of ducks and various breeds of chickens are similar in size, ducks are messy with water and need more outdoor space. In the summer when things are drier and you have more ducks (if you raise ducklings) you may be able to get by with 10 sq ft per bird but in the winter you ought to plan for 25 sq ft per bird, which if you just have your breeding birds isn't as much as it sounds. There are all sorts of ideas on how to provide drinking water to ducks so they drink it, wash their faces and heads in it, but don't make a pig's mess with it. I'm sure you'll find that you can't keep their water in the coop when they are adults because of the mess. Of all poultry I've ever had, I've found ducks to be the most helpless with predators. They don't run for cover like chickens, in fact ducks can't really run at all, most domestic breeds can't fly, and even ones that can are no match for a hawk. But on the other hand, you'll find them to be one of healthiest, cold and wet-resistant (as long as they don't get muddy), parasite- and disease-free species you can raise. And they just need a simple shelter as long as it's predator-proof.

 

[3bird]

In the summer when things are drier and you have more ducks (if you raise ducklings) you may be able to get by with 10 sq ft per bird but in the winter you ought to plan for 25 sq ft per bird...

When you say 25 sq ft per bird, are you talking about the run size or house size? That seems a much larger area than necessary.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe they are taking into consideration Duck Math.

 

[DuckyDonna]

As long as they can get a swim in...

;-)

It's almost like they were having a meeting about what to do when they reached the creek. So cute!

 

[DiYMama540]

I love how they march to the creek together, then stop to discuss who's jumping in first! @WannaBeHillBilly would love that!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I love how they march to the creek together, then stop to discuss who's jumping in first! @WannaBeHillBilly would love that!

Thank you for poking me @DiYMama540 !
@3bird - Love the Duck house! Love the video! An your ducks made me laugh out loud when they were walking in one line, not following that humon! - No we are ducks! We find our own way to the water! And there we need a discussion who's to go in first.
You call one of your ducks »Goose«? - Careful! My ducks get mad at me if i call them »chickens«!

 

[3bird]

Thank you for poking me @DiYMama540 !
@3bird - Love the Duck house! Love the video! An your ducks made me laugh out loud when they were walking in one line, not following that humon! - No we are ducks! We find our own way to the water! And there we need a discussion who's to go in first.
You call one of your ducks »Goose«? - Careful! My ducks get mad at me if i call them »chickens«!

They are pretty great! Goosie is Lucy (she had a lot of red on her face when she was young), but she soon became Lucy Goose, and now she is mostly Goose. It suits her and she kind of honks sometimes!