Looking for as much advice as possible!

[johntfs]

Really please! I know you are learning and are probably a very nice person but what you've just said here does not even make any sense.

Like a couple of others noted, the eggs need to be collected/used unless the OP wants a lot more ducks. Preventing that is an easy fix - but it is a thing that needs to be watched/fixed.

 

[Jpat]

Like a couple of others noted, the eggs need to be collected/used unless the OP wants a lot more ducks. Preventing that is an easy fix - but it is a thing that needs to be watched/fixed.

only if the ducks are broody and you left the eggs with them for 30 days

Collecting eggs everyday is a no-brainer, especialy in the hot summer. it saves on mess and stick

 

[johntfs]

only if the ducks are broody and you left the eggs with them for 30 days

And if they don't actually want more ducks. Figure the harder part of this is actually trying to hatch more ducklings than preventing said hatching.

 

[Hoebob69]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a 40 acre farm so space isn't an issue. I am not against having a few baby ducks,but I'm not trying to start a hatchery! Right now I have them in a coop 24/7 but I'm going to free range them in a 40x40 plot as soon as I finish predator proofing it. My thought process is that 5-10 ducks would be ideal for that space.

 

[johntfs]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a 40 acre farm so space isn't an issue. I am not against having a few baby ducks,but I'm not trying to start a hatchery! Right now I have them in a coop 24/7 but I'm going to free range them in a 40x40 plot as soon as I finish predator proofing it. My thought process is that 5-10 ducks would be ideal for that space.

What kind of aerial predators do you have in your area? Crows will be a hazard for ducklings, but owls and hawks can grab or just kill full-grown ducks. The only way to keep your 40 x 40 area safe from creatures like that would be to put a sturdy roof on it, which seems expensive and impractical.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Crows are a big help keeping the hawks away. They don't usually go after ducks but I'm sure there are exceptions. Everything is a hazard for ducklings.

Some kind of a top covering on the run would be ideal. Netting can be bought to cover up from flying predators. We recently did a major renovation on our duck run which is 40' x 40' in size. We've got hardware cloth on all the sides and welded wire on the entire top. Not cheap but pretty darn secure! This is a drone shot from above.

Predator tape is also commonly used. You can buy online at amazon very reasonably priced. @Miss Lydia has had very good success using that for her free-ranging birds.

 

[johntfs]

Crows are a big help keeping the hawks away. They don't usually go after ducks but I'm sure there are exceptions. Everything is a hazard for ducklings.

Some kind of a top covering on the run would be ideal. Netting can be bought to cover up from flying predators. We recently did a major renovation on our duck run which is 40' x 40' in size. We've got hardware cloth on all the sides and welded wire on the entire top. Not cheap but pretty darn secure! This is a drone shot from above. View attachment 1985821 Predator tape is also commonly used. You can buy online at amazon very reasonably priced. @Miss Lydia has had very good success using that for her free-ranging birds.

That is a nice-looking set up. The only way to make your birds more secure would be to put anti-air guns on that sucker.

 

[DuckyDonna]

That is a nice-looking set up. The only way to make your birds more secure would be to put anti-air guns on that sucker.

Maybe we could mount a belt-fed 30 cal on the barn roof! My husband would be more than happy to do that. He's always wanted one in the bed of his truck!

 

[Ratchnick]

It is worth noting that some people free range their ducks just out in a field, not in any type fence and just accept losses, and hatch more ducklings

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not me I am obligated to keeping my flock as safe as I can. Yes I have lost chickens to predators when they didn't stay inside their half acre fenced. Lost a roo inside of it protecting his flock. But I am not going to accept loss and hatch more like that. It makes me sad. When we take on animals, birds etc it's our responsibility to protect them as best we can. Even if you think of ducks poultry in general as live stock, They should still have protection from predators at least fencing can slow down one or stop them. We had bears tearing down our welded wire fencing so we had to put up no climb horse fencing so the bears haven't climbed over yet and it's been 5 yrs.
Not trying to offend, but this is just how I feel about this.