How many ducks can I get?

[Blue Andalusian]

I woul say Overnight is ine. But, otherwise not. Let them out in the Morning, an let them have their own Run. I it is Winter time, they may rest in there too. Thats what i i or my ucks, but again. Having them in Groups, is best. Since they like a Group an are Social Animals, i woul say 3 Minimum

I your Planning to keep your ucks in there more then you think (Ex: Your going on Vacation, an you have a Preator in your Area). I woul get them a Seperate coop, unless your coop is Bigger or both your Chickens an ucks to have enough room

I woul also buil the ucks nest, i your getting emales. They will lay, I you have a Male or not. They like to have the back an the sies covere, an the ront open. So, they can watch or intruers rom the ront

 

[atomic]

In my experience ducks need a natural water source. A pond, creek. A kiddie pool just does not do it in the long term. When I had ducks I had a mountain creek they’d free range in all day long and I had a kiddie pool in their run when they were contained. They also had “duck houses” as they do not roost it was just a house with hay they could feel comfortable in. The pools has to be replenished every day as they immediately murk them up. Drakes are dangerous to hens if they attempt to mate. Ducks are very messy, much more so than chickens so if you do not free range or have a natural water source everyone will be happier if you forgo the whole idea.

 

[BoundlessLove]

In my experience ducks need a natural water source. A pond, creek. A kiddie pool just does not do it in the long term. When I had ducks I had a mountain creek they’d free range in all day long and I had a kiddie pool in their run when they were contained. They also had “duck houses” as they do not roost it was just a house with hay they could feel comfortable in. The pools has to be replenished every day as they immediately murk them up. Drakes are dangerous to hens if they attempt to mate. Ducks are very messy, much more so than chickens so if you do not free range or have a natural water source everyone will be happier if you forgo the whole idea.

This isn’t factual.
I’ve kept ducks for years now with a kiddie pool and they have lived a very happy life.
Point of fact: We have both a creek and a pond. They always choose to swim in the kiddie pools over the pond.
Also, our drake is not dangerous when mating our hens. One of our girls hatched out four duck eggs in May, so he’s doing a good job.
Yes, they can be messier to brood. Because they are waterfowl.
Why would you say “everyone would be happier if you forgo the idea”?
You cannot speak for everyone.
Certainly, not for me.
Keeping ducks can be very rewarding. Our Swedish girls lay extra large eggs which are great for baking! The ducks are lovely to watch when they are foraging and swimming.
They are living a great life!

 

[Bigdumogre]

When i ha ucks, i in't have a seperate coop or them i put them in the chicken coop at night. An let them out in the morning until night (I'm a ree ranger, so i your not ree ranging chickens or ucks. You'll probably nee to get another coop or shelter or them. Unless the Coop/Shelter is connecte to 2 Runs)

Get more emales then Males. Get atleast 3, they like groups

My ucks were usually col in the winter time, so we ha a place or them to sit in that ha straw in it. An you can a a heat lamp too

Yes, Pon is the best. But, i you can get just like a Water tank or horses or something like that (even a kiie pool). That woul be goo

epens what bree

epens what Bran

The ones i have ha, o not. Some brees o, like Muscovys

What are you raising them or? Eggs? Pets? Meat? I can try to give you some uck brees you might want. Or, i you orering rom a Hatchery. I can give you a Hatchery i know that sells ucks

ucks are really messy. So, i your getting ucklings. Change they're water ALOT (more then the oo). An also Change the Being out ATLEAST every ay

I woul use normal beeing like Shavings or the Summer time (or warmer weathers) an Straw or Winter time (or coler weathers)

I was like wtf till I figured out your D key probably is broken lol

 

[BoundlessLove]

We gave them the option by opening their door to free range this winter after a snowstorm:

 

[whatbeginsabetnotthat]

When i ha ucks, i in't have a seperate coop or them i put them in the chicken coop at night. An let them out in the morning until night (I'm a ree ranger, so i your not ree ranging chickens or ucks. You'll probably nee to get another coop or shelter or them. Unless the Coop/Shelter is connecte to 2 Runs)

Get more emales then Males. Get atleast 3, they like groups

My ucks were usually col in the winter time, so we ha a place or them to sit in that ha straw in it. An you can a a heat lamp too

Yes, Pon is the best. But, i you can get just like a Water tank or horses or something like that (even a kiie pool). That woul be goo

epens what bree

epens what Bran

The ones i have ha, o not. Some brees o, like Muscovys

What are you raising them or? Eggs? Pets? Meat? I can try to give you some uck brees you might want. Or, i you orering rom a Hatchery. I can give you a Hatchery i know that sells ucks

ucks are really messy. So, i your getting ucklings. Change they're water ALOT (more then the oo). An also Change the Being out ATLEAST every ay

I woul use normal beeing like Shavings or the Summer time (or warmer weathers) an Straw or Winter time (or coler weathers)

I want to get ducks for laying and potentially showing???? Any tips for that anyone?? Ummm I also don’t have a second coop, but I do free range my birds, so I’m hoping they’ll by fine just sharing the coop for the night and when we’re gone

 

[Blue Andalusian]

I want to get ducks for laying and potentially showing???? Any tips for that anyone??

We ha Black Sweish ucks, an they are goo layers. I'll list some more brees, later

Ummm I also don’t have a second coop, but I do free range my birds, so I’m hoping they’ll by fine just sharing the coop for the night and when we’re gone

Yeah, i think thats ine. My ucks an Chickens were goo together, try to raise them by the chickens. I your planning to have them by each other, put them in a pen in the coop. So, they get use to the chickens

 

[Blue Andalusian]

I was like wtf till I figured out your D key probably is broken lol

lol, well. I have a bluetooth key boar, I can connect to this. So, unless its ea or i'm just gonna pop on. I on't use it

 

[atomic]

This isn’t factual.
I’ve kept ducks for years now with a kiddie pool and they have lived a very happy life.
Point of fact: We have both a creek and a pond. They always choose to swim in the kiddie pools over the pond.
Also, our drake is not dangerous when mating our hens. One of our girls hatched out four duck eggs in May, so he’s doing a good job.
Yes, they can be messier to brood. Because they are waterfowl.
Why would you say “everyone would be happier if you forgo the idea”?
You cannot speak for everyone.
Certainly, not for me.
Keeping ducks can be very rewarding. Our Swedish girls lay extra large eggs which are great for baking! The ducks are lovely to watch when they are foraging and swimming.
They are living a great life!

Hens are adult female chickens. Female ducks are not hens and are in fact just referred to as “ducks”.

A female duck is a duck. A male duck is a drake. Make sense?

The original thread starter has chickens which is why I brought up that point. A drake mating a duck wouldn’t make sense to be dangerous as they are the same species. But a drake mating a chicken hen is certainly dangerous.

I’ve raised ducks, hatched them, kept them for years and if yours prefer a kiddie pool over an actual pond then I don’t really have an explanation unless they just were never introduced. Not saying that is the case. My sister in law raised ducks that were scared of any kind of water body because she never introduced them to water of any kind when they were babies. I always let mine swim in the bath tub and they integrated nicely into swimming in the creek. Although the adults probably had something to do with it showing them the way.

I’m glad you and your ducks are happy and I agree they are entertaining to watch, and they are the best foragers. I never had any spiders or snakes with my ducks on the watch.

 

[BoundlessLove]

@atomic
No sense at all.
Female ducks are called hens.
Murray Mcmurray hatchery differentiates the ducks - male as drake and female as hen.
Have heard these terms here at BYC and by farmers, as well.
I have chickens and my drakes have never molested our chickens. Been raising them 10 years with no problems. Not that it can’t happen, but non existent here.
Can’t same the same for one of our toms. The toms are heavy and can cause damage when trying to mate a chicken or duck. A tom damaged one of our Blue Swedish hens trying to mate her.
Our ducks, drakes and hens alike, have always been exposed to our pond early on and have access to it daily.
Even the creek.
As I have said, the ducks prefer the kiddie pools.
Mine have never swam in a tub, they have been raised outside. Never inside the house.
Like I said, their preference to use the kiddie pools.

@whatbeginsabetnotthat
I would suggest researching the different breeds of ducks. See which breed/s will best suite your goals and your climate and area/home/land situations.
We have raised different breeds and prefer Blue Swedish.
Wishing you well with your future endeavors!