Long time lurker!

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Hailing from the St. Louis area! Welcome!

I'm an avid duck lover with Cayugas. Lots of people will tell you several things. First, don't house the ducks with the chickens for lots of reasons. I can also say that everyone complains about how dirty ducks are and how much work. I think this is because many people have chickens first and because they are both poultry they expect ducks to live in the same space requirements. I have 48 ducks in various varieties, from Call Ducks, to Pekins. I strongly feel that ducks 4 medium-large ducks require a much larger space in a coop than 4 large chickens. In chickens, from my understanding, space requirements are usually figured primarily due to stress/fighting. Duck space requirements IMHO should be figured with cleaning in mind. In general, people need to 8x10 sq feet/duck in a coop, at least for ducks that are medium and large. Call Ducks could be in a smaller area. initially had 10 Penciled Indian Runners in a 12' x 12' predator proofed stall. If I have them outside 9 am- 4 pm, it stays so clean, I can go 4-6 months without cleaning! If I tried to put them in a 4' x 6' area, I'd be cleaning a LOT more. The other issue is what people do with them for outdoor pens. Because ducks require daily water to dip their heads in, and they fling tremendous amounts of water it ALL OVER, and then use their bills to make holes in the mud, they are best kept in a movable walk in covered pen. You need about 8-14 different spots to put the pen in to keep a reasonable amount of grass growing, so each spot has 8-14 days to grow after a day of assault from the ducks. I don't think either the larger coop or the movable pen are horrible requirement, but I'm surprised the number of people who refuse to do it, then complain bitterly that their permanent duck run, is a mud pit that smells and is disgusting. Or there's the group that simply throws them out to free range, but then is horrified when a single neighborhood dog slaughters the whole duck flock in 10 minutes. I have horses, dogs, and ducks. I wouldn't try to house a horse in a dog pen, because their hooves ruin any area that is too small and kill the grass. It's the same with ducks. They simply require an adaptation to the paradigm most people have of keeping chickens. Then ducks are a total blast and not the burden most people claim. Cayugas, at least my show line, are a nice calm, and stunningly beautiful breed. I adore my penciled Indian Runners. They are the Lucille Ball's of the duck world and my feather covered "Happy pills", especially in a group of 6-12. LMBO
 

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