If you had to start ALL OVER raising ducks, WHAT would you get, do over...????

[KaleIAm]

Agreed!

That might be the only thing I did right from the beginning. Lol. :-D My ducks aren't imprinted, but they are very friendly and social with me. I spent so much time with them and it shows.

 

[KaleIAm]

I dont fear digging predators too much because I plan on installing an apron around the outside perimeter of the structure, one that can be pulled up when it needs to move. Well, as of now. It will be his choice as to if it is movable or not. If not, then we will dig and bury a foot or so for just that reason.

Having experience with poultry already you are probably better at predator proofing than me!

 

[RobertaD1]

Having experience with poultry already you are probably better at predator proofing than me!

Well, having predator ISSUES have definitely made me think about it! And the always hit when you least expect it! That's why we dont free range!

 

[KaleIAm]

Well, having predator ISSUES have definitely made me think about it! And the always hit when you least expect it! That's why we dont free range!

Yeah, my ducks get supervised foraging walks only. I'm never more than ten feet from them, my trained dog comes along, and the ducks come when called. But it means I'm standing in the rain a lot since they think umbrellas are scary. Lol.

My neighbors lost all their poultry by letting them free range. We do have 5 acres lots - lots of wildlife.

 

[RobertaD1]

I totally understand. I have had even family members look at me and say, they dont come out? What???
We are surrounded by woods and fields. Our neighbors across the road lost an entire flock of about 30 in one summer, and another beside them lost their flock of Phoenix chicken... prettiest birds I've ever seen, the next summer. I'm not willing to risk it. They have tunnels and people laugh... but, they work here and are only allowed in them when I'm home.

 

[Weeg]

That might be the only thing I did right from the beginning. Lol. :-D My ducks aren't imprinted, but they are very friendly and social with me. I spent so much time with them and it shows.

Ya, I failed there!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I would get 6-7 sexed ducklings (1 male and 5 females) to start or hatch that many eggs. I started with 2, then tried to add more later. I still have issues with pecking order years later, I believe because of that. I think they do better when they are raised together from an early age.
Btw, I have a hoop coop, its not pretty but it has worked great. I ended up covering 3/4 of it with tarp to keep the rain out.

 

[RobertaD1]

I would get 6-7 sexed ducklings (1 male and 5 females) to start or hatch that many eggs. I started with 2, then tried to add more later. I still have issues with pecking order years later, I believe because of that. I think they do better when they are raised together from an early age.
Btw, I have a hoop coop, its not pretty but it has worked great. I ended up covering 3/4 of it with tarp to keep the rain out.

This is good to know! I do intend to make a "house" for them in the end of it to have a dryish area for them to sleep, I expect a tarp will come into play at some point.
Do you by chance have any pictures of your set up?

 

[RobertaD1]

I am planning a MODIFIED version of this
This is of course for chickens, but I'm going to modify for ducks
I think I can build something very similar very inexpensively.
And no... it will not include the nest box but instead have a swing open door for clean out.

 

[Littlefrenchyinbigtexas]

a few of you here mention wanted them sexed and go for either all males or all females.
why?
i always wanted yo have a mix to get ducklings.. but just starting here and pretty new to ducks.
thank you