Is a pond a must have?

[hensplease]

you should get two so they can swim and do duck stuff together

 

[Amiga]

I think two is better. Ducks often enjoy the company of other species

but they really seem to like some "duck time" where they can speak their own language.

Anyway, you might consider this angle - a lonely duck can need more human attention, so having a buddy, they can keep each other amused better. Also, two ducks together are often funnier and more enjoyable than one.

Perhaps you can start a topic, asking for convincing arguments! That could be worth a chuckle, at least.

Enjoy!

(In my case, I was able to start with the idea of "a few" and now I have ten on order.)

 

[ChickBond 007]

I have chickens and I have ducks. I will tell you that any lone duck will be at the bottom of the pecking order with your chickens. Any duck hen will prefer another duck to interact with.
You will enjoy duck eggs as much as chicken eggs, although you might not be accustomed to that. My teenagers will always choose a duck egg when making fried eggs or an omelette as they are larger. Our ducks eat the same feed as our chickens (with green supplements) and the eggs taste the same. Duck eggs are best for baking bread. I do not know why but I've proven it again and again. Ducks do not lay as reliably as most chicken hens.
Finally, ducks tend to be more pet-like, which will amuse your 2 year old. This is highly dependent upon the duck breed, but I believe Pekins would be best suited or muscovies. I have call ducks, rouens, and flying mallards.
Enjoy your duck choices. You're doing a great thing for your child by allowing him/her to experience livestock in a home setting.

 

[spud1035]

I have a couple of small ducks (black east indies) so I just use a wash basin. Kinda like this better than a pond, easier to clean and a lot less water. I thought that ducks need to be able get enough water twice per week to keep their feathers in condition for the elements. I'm gettin khahi campells this spring, I plan on just gettin a larger containor for em to swin in.

 

[randomchick]

Where I live a pond is a must in my eyes due to the huge coyote population. The ducks need a place to escape. Also we have Least Weasels and they can fit through half inch wire bars to kill adolecent ducklings. We have also seen a bear in the back yard but so far so good, knock on wood.
That is why I am waiting till we dig a pond to get more ducks. I had 8, and all 8 got killed withing a few weeks. 6 In one day, during the day, by a weasel getting in. The other 2 lived in my downstairs bathroom for a few weeks till the creak was high, and then a coyote got them within a day.

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

Get two ducks. One can get kind of lonely and they get aggressive ifm they dont have a mate. Ducks are much easier to raise than chickens, so one more wont make a difference.

 

[Wifezilla]

Ducks do not lay as reliably as most chicken hens.

Not necessarily true. I have Welsh Harlequins, a runner and I have had khaki campbells in the past. Those 3 breeds will outlay a chicken any day!

Other breeds are more seasonal layers...like rouens, buffs, pekins, etc... and you will only get eggs in spring...maybe in to summer with them.

As for a pond, ponds are nice if you have room. I have a tiny yard but I still got a pond liner used from a neighbor. I see them cheap on craigslist or at garage sales all the time. We are really glad we got this one.

But the pond isn't a "must have". Uno was perfectly happy in a tupperware bowl

Before we got the pond, we would fill an under the bead storage tub. It worked well for 3 ducks.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

I was going to say, some ducks lay really well! I had khakis as a kid and they did as good as the chickens...I have also heard welsh harlequins and runners do well in that department. See there is a good argument! Entertaining and lay well.

I usually have a kiddie pool for our ducks, but when it's really frozen I use the black rubber feeding pans from walmart. Just big enough to stand and flap in, and takes care of face washing. Always remember to have something as deep as their bill is long for them to snorgle in. In their houses I use a 1 gallon milk jug with a head x2 sized hole cut out where the spout was. Then they have to stick their head in and make less of a mess inside. That would probably be safe for your little guy, since he is bigger than a duck's head and couldn't "fall in"!

Then while supervised fill a pool or large tupper bin for playtime...you can buy a siphon starter for a few bucks and direct the used water onto your plants when they are done.

 

[Wifezilla]

The "milk jug trick" also works for grown-up ducks...but instead of a milk jug you use a 5 gallon bucket with a lid

A hot knife can easily cut a hole in the side.

 

[rainplace]

Since you're worried about your child, have you thought of one of those little sad box turtle things that have lid shaped like the turtle shell? Ducks love water so much. And I agree about getting two.