Help Please..I want to start having Ducks need direction...

[Miss Kitty]

I have a small lake on my new property. I really want ducks (male and female) I like those ducks with the green head and ring on their necks.

I was thinking of making a bed for them near the pond. Taking a large size dog cage and covering the inside with straw/hay and making a bedding, covering the top and sides for protection from rain. Someone who has ducks please tell me how I can get started up. I want afew ducks but I have never had them. I don't even know how they are. I have some pet chickens who let me pick them up and pet them. They are so loving and cute. Do I clip the wings alittle like I did the chickens I don't want the ducks to fly off and leave. What do I feed them? I need care instructions too.

Thanks so much for all your help

 

[bock]

Um well, first of all the type of duck you are describing are mallards or rouens. Most domestic ducks CANNOT fly, but mallards and muscovies are the most common exeptions. Find a few ducklings at a local feed store in spring. You can feed them chick starter, but waterfowl starter is preffered. Make sure you have a 250 what heat lamp kept at 90F the 1st week and reduced 5F each week. They can begin to stay outside in an enclosed pen during the day starting at 5 weeks. When they grow up you still need to protect your birds from predators, so you must train them to go into a closed pen EVERY night. Have fun!!