How to raise ducks when I live on the water??

[brothersam]

I live in the country on a river system and will soon have 6 ducks hatching. (3 Muscovy and 3 Campbells). I already have chickens but ducks are new to us. I am planning on using a recycled dog house for a coop but I don't know what to do from there. Can I just let them out each morning to roam free with the chickens? I'm sure they will find the river and wonder if that will be an issue. Will they come back each night? Should I bond with them first before letting them out into the river? Any help would be greatly appreciated......

 

[Amiga]

It may be an issue. Ducks can become enthralled with the river, or carried away by it. Predators are also attracted to rivers and domestic ducks are not able to fend for themselves.

 

[Lilki]

Yes I would try bonding before taking them down to the river. We have a similar situation with the water going through our backyard. It was the death of a mallard family that tried to nest and hatch down there.

We've been letting our mallards roam around in the front yard. It's not enclosed but They can't fly yet and don't go anywhere. I'm thinking of introducing them to the water before they start flying so they get used to coming home. Right now they already come in at night on their own and hopefully the routine will continue when they get their flight feathers.

 

[brothersam]

I really appreciate the help!