Helpful tips to save money when keeping DUCKS!! :)

[MarysAviaryHeartAndZoo]

Hello everyone! I'm looking for some helpful savings tips with raising/keeping ducks.
Please post away and hopefully the list gets longer and longer

 

[Going Quackers]

If possible, free range good for the ducks and reduces feed bills!

 

[MarysAviaryHeartAndZoo]

The Dollar Tree store offers two money saving items that are great for duck use

The $1.00 bucket makes a great (gallon) drinking container! I cut out a letter "C" if you will, and smoothed off any sharp edges. My duckies love these buckets and some even rest their heads on it when they sleep.

Item number 2 can also be found at the Dollar Tree. They sell oil change plastic pans that make great feeding trays. Most farm/pet supply stores sell similar rubber bowls for $15+. You can get one for just $1.00!!

 

[Amiga]

I buy wheat seeds in bulk, and then sprout them. This is less expensive than peas. Now, I still do buy peas, especially when they are on sale, but having wheat sprouts adds different nutrients and they don't need to be frozen.

I learned some weeds that are good for the ducks to eat, and I let them grow in places in the yard, so there is free salad. I also grow some of our own lettuce and other greens for treats.

I use the used duck bedding as mulch in the garden instead of buying mulch. And duck manure supercharges the compost, so I don't have to buy compost. I have already used about $100 worth of compost and good garden soil this spring from duck bedding and vegetable scraps that we produced here.

I don't buy chicken eggs while the ducks are laying - that saves money. Oh, and duck poo in water is a great, free fertilizer.

 

[allyallyjohnson]

My great grandmother said you can buy mealworms and "grow" them. I know my ducks love dried mealworms and they are not very cheap. Not sure if you'd be comfortable touching live mealworms but it worth a money saving shot! I'm sure the same could be done with earthworms.

 

[allyallyjohnson]

Anyone have and money saving tips regarding a pool for their ducks??? Mine have outgrown the $7 kiddie pool and are needing something they can splash around and dive in.

 

[RavenGemini]

...

The Dollar Tree store offers two money saving items that are great for duck use

The $1.00 bucket makes a great (gallon) drinking container! I cut out a letter "C" if you will, and smoothed off any sharp edges. My duckies love these buckets and some even rest their heads on it when they sleep.

Item number 2 can also be found at the Dollar Tree. They sell oil change plastic pans that make great feeding trays. Most farm/pet supply stores sell similar rubber bowls for $15+. You can get one for just $1.00!!

AWESOME IDEA keeping the ducks from swimming in their water dish. Do you need to weigh it down or do your ducks not tip it over trying to get inside?

 

[RavenGemini]

Anyone have and money saving tips regarding a pool for their ducks??? Mine have outgrown the $7 kiddie pool and are needing something they can splash around and dive in.

Mine did as well.... I ended up letting them use my preformed garden pond.... Now the big deal is keeping the filter clean, seems to be an every hour job. :-\

 

[Going Quackers]

Anyone have and money saving tips regarding a pool for their ducks??? Mine have outgrown the $7 kiddie pool and are needing something they can splash around and dive in.

I have a 15$ dollar size from walmart lol a good re-use would be a sandbox bottom, i have an old turtle type from little tykes that my kids had.

 

[Amiga]

If you know anyone with larger animals, if they replace their stock tank, you might get ahold of one of those.