Help/ Advice with ducks that just randomly showed up

[quackiemama]

Hi Everyone,

I never would have dreamed I would be posting this!

We have a small lake in our back yard which has always been home to wild ducks and geese. About three weeks ago two white ducks which I am assuming are Pekins just waddled up out of nowhere. After sticking around for two days we realized we needed to help them. We have been feeding them appropriately and they have just been free ranging around our lake. They will come up to our yard when its meal time. I'm concerned for their safety. Our property is heavily wooded and full of critters. Any advice on cooping them and caring for them would be appreciated. They seem very happy to free range during the day so I would like to keep them in that routine.

I have zero experience with ducks or chickens and was not planning to ever own any but our whole family loves them and it seems like the right thing to do. They are very sweet. It is a total mystery to me where they came from. I got on google maps and the closest lake is over a mile away through woods.

Thank you for any and all help!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you for All of your help! We have an old dog kennel that we could put them in for now. I didnt know if that would work it has concrete floors, and an open top but I guess we can start there until we have a better plan.

Just give them something soft to lay on, my ducks love straw, and they will be happy.
Concrete floor is good: It is easy to clean, ducks are messy creatures…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They are pretty. I didn't know about the leg issues when I ordered pekins and I did have an issue but thankfully I received good advice and healed her right up.

Rarely do we humans have something good in mind for the animals that we breed into "breeds": The Pekin duck has been bred to be a food-addicted meat bird. Eat much, grow quickly, be slaughtered young.
Pekin ducklings are prone to splayed and shaky legs, the grown up ducks are easily overweight and develop bumblefoot and hip-problems. When they try to fly they often break a leg during landing. What is worse than Pekin ducks? - Jumbo Pekin ducks!

 

[quackiemama]

Rarely do we humans have something good in mind for the animals that we breed into "breeds": The Pekin duck has been bred to be a food-addicted meat bird. Eat much, grow quickly, be slaughtered young.
Pekin ducklings are prone to splayed and shaky legs, the grown up ducks are easily overweight and develop bumblefoot and hip-problems. When they try to fly they often break a leg during landing. What is worse than Pekin ducks? Jumbo Pekin ducks!

That is sad, I do see the appetite with these ladies. I am keeping them exercising and supplemented so hopefully we don't have any more issues. So glad I did not go with the jumbos. I do love these silly girls though. They have amazing personalities.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

That is sad, I do see the appetite with these ladies. I am keeping them exercising and supplemented so hopefully we don't have any more issues. So glad I did not go with the jumbos. I do love these silly girls though. They have amazing personalities.

I know! Pekins are just goofy! And usually the friendliest ducks. I am so happy that my White Layers are trying to keep up with the others, they have an enormous appetite and would otherwise grow like bread dough.

 

[quackiemama]

I know! Pekins are just goofy! And usually the friendliest ducks. I am so happy that my White Layers are trying to keep up with the others, they have an enormous appetite and would otherwise grow like bread dough.

My pekins love to run and try to keep up with the runners which is hilarious to watch. They have found their place in the flock that is for sure whether the others liked it or not. LOL

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

My pekins love to run and try to keep up with the runners which is hilarious to watch. They have found their place in the flock that is for sure whether the others liked it or not. LOL

Yes, the Runners motivate everybody to run with them! Having a light breed together with Pekins is really beneficial for them.

 

[SuperDuck]

They look just like Chuck and Buck!

 

[quackiemama]

They look just like Chuck and Buck!

I want you to know that I have shared your story with my very few neighbors and they always ask about your son and Chuck and Buck. So funny

 

[quackiemama]

Sorry OP I am not trying to take over your thread. I just wanted to share one more thing. I have not had random ducks show up at my home but Friday I had a random pig show up. The most fun day ever!!!! Meet Mango the pig.