How do you take care of ducks

[ChewBokBok]

I am looking into getting some ducks to add to my flock. I live in a climate that can get very cold in winter. Do they need water to swim in all year round? If they do how do i go about it? Heated buckets? Moving water? And what breeds should i get? Also would they be fine in a non-insulated coop? Thanks.

 

[aart]

I am looking into getting some ducks to add to my flock. I live in a climate that can get very cold in winter. Do they need water to swim in all year round? If they do how do i go about it? Heated buckets? Moving water? And what breeds should i get? Also would they be fine in a non-insulated coop? Thanks.

They need to be able to dunk their nostrils but not swim.

How cold?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[ChewBokBok]

Minnesota. So what watering system do you use? Thanks for the advice i will use it.

 

[aart]

So what watering system do you use?

I don't have ducks, hopefully the duck keepers will be along to help directly.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Do they need water to swim in all year round? no just water deep enough to stick their whole head in.

Heated buckets? I use a heated dog water bowl and a drop in water heater to keep a bucket of water from freezing. I also use rubber bowls. These are not heated, but you can knock out the ice pretty easily. I also keep a block of wood over the top, so that they can only stick their heads in and not for swimming

Moving water? do you mean how to get the water from the water source to their coop/run area? I use two plastic watering cans that hold about 2 gals. ea and tote those back and forth. Get a little exercise in while doing chores.

And what breeds should i get? depends on what you're looking for - quiet ducks? Foragers? Lazy ducks? Beautiful ducks? There are some nice reviews of the different ducks in the article section here on BYC.

Also would they be fine in a non-insulated coop? yes. They don't need insulation. Just a shelter to get out of the weather and to bed down at night with proper ventilation

 

[ChewBokBok]

Great! How many water buckets per duck? I think i would be wanting an active duck it would be cool if it had exotic coloring too. Thanks for your help!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Ducks are flock animals. It's never wise to only have 1. As for water, I'm not sure. I feel it's all about how your set up is. No hard and fast rules for the amount of water - just that you provide plenty of fresh water. I know I have plenty, but I also change it twice a day and empty their swimming trough once every 3 days.
I'm always changing it up to better the area or because I've seen an idea that I like. You should do lots of research including reading through the duck forum - good and bad with regards to ducks.

 

[nao57]

If you don't have heated containers then every morning in winter you'll have to hack open the ice so they can drink it still. But if you have the right tool it doesn't take that much time.

I haven't had any problems with ducks surviving in the winter. They do fine. HOWEVER>...

They do tend to need an increase in the food amounts in winter. And this is true for most livestock, as they'll use more energy to keep warm.

 

[nao57]

Ducks are so much fun also. You'll like them.

And if you have kids or nieces and nephews they'll love to come see the ducks also. Adult neighbors are usually more favorable to ducks and like to see them also.

I wish I could let them run around free but I don't trust the neighbors, and others.

But in my town you can go down a certain street and there's a lady that has her ducks just roaming the yard fenceless. Sometimes they come out to the street. But everyone likes it and there's no problems. (They have nicer neighbors than we do. But our street has more dogs...so maybe that's good to not have it that way.)