Introducing myself

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Kristin V

Kristin V

In the Brooder
Jul 16, 2024
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31
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Hi everyone,
I’m not currently a caretaker of any chickens but I’m interested in adopting 2 bonded adult male ducks. However, before I make that commitment, I wanted to get educated first.

One of the ducks is I believe a Khaki Campbell and the other is a mallard-hybrid… neither can fly and are domestic.

I currently care for 10 living beings… 3 dogs, 1 cat, 1 sulcata tortoise, 1 tarantula, 1 snake, and 2 plecos that live in my 5’ x 2’ round pond (not to mention the hundreds of wild animals that visit my yard which is Wildlife Habitat Certified and is in Tucson, AZ).
I’m experienced in dog behavior and training techniques (my dogs don’t get along so I’m very accustomed to creating routines and I have my house & yard sectioned off to ensure safety of all).

I’m hoping to get information from more experienced individuals than me (which at this point doesn’t take much) on what I need to know about before committing to adopting these 2 ducks. Night time enclosure size? Safety during daytime in the backyard? Cleaning? Food? Etc.

Any links to forums/topics here or elsewhere are also appreciated!!

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance.

Kristin “KV”
 
LTAY1946 said:
Hello Kristin and Welcome to BYC. Glad that you have joined this poultry loving community. I need to dig up a link for you that has a lot of info of the type that I think you are looking for. This is a place to start for Ducks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/
Click to expand...
thank you! I’ll take a look right now!… and copy paste what I just posted here and post it there me I suppose too. 😂
 
Hurray to you for wanting to adopt the two boys!

My experience is limited to runner ducks, but here's a few things I've learned.

Ducks are easier to house than chickens (they enjoy getting wet during rainstorms and are less prone to frostbite because there are no combs or wattles) but far, far messier because they love to play in their water.

My ducks live in a wooden-framed rectangular "box" that is wrapped in hardware cloth to protect them from predators. One end opens from the top for easy access to food and water dishes, the other end opens on the side so they can get in and out. Half the structure has solid side walls to protect them from weather, the other half just has the hardware cloth so they can feel the sun and the breezes on them. I've had as many as 10 runners sheltering at night in the 3-foot-by10-foot "house."

During the day, when I am home, the ducks are free to wander around the fenced portion of the yard, mingling with chickens and geese. When I don't want to have to think about their safety All The Time, I herd them into a fenced-in enclosure adjacent to their house. Runners can't fly, so the fence is 3-foot woven wire. I can step over it, they have no idea how to get out of it.

Most feed stores carry at least one brand of duck-specific food that will provide enough niacin for their needs.

Cleaning duck muck is disgusting -- and highly necessary. They will get everything wet -- dropped food, their own droppings -- and it will stink to high heaven. Mine have both a kiddie pool and -- for deeper diving -- a small stock tank. Both should be rinsed out and refilled daily.

Ducks are amazing creatures, and I hope you decide to get the boys -- although it sounds like you already have your hands full with your current menagerie. The more, the merrier, right?

Welcome to BYC; there are members who know just about everything there is to know about ducks, so ask away whenever you have questions!
 

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