Love my ducks but...

[NomadMik]

I have two female ducks. I keep them separate from the chickens because they pick on the bantams. I am getting to my wits end caring for them. The chickens are easy compared to the ducks. I want to get rid of them but what is the best way to go about that? I’d feel bad abandoning them at a park. So many people in my area are selling ducks on Craigslist because they can’t care for them anymore. What should I do?

 

[aart]

I’d feel bad abandoning them at a park.

Please, please don't do that.
Maybe advertise elsewhere also....farm stores, Facebook poultry pages.
Try the buy sell trade forum here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/#buy-sell-trade.67

What is the problem specifically?
Maybe we can help you figure out some improvements?

Might help to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Thunderduck9]

Maybe if we new what state you were in we would take them

 

[3bird]

Why are they so much trouble? Maybe we could help troubleshoot/problem solve that.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

where are you? if you are near me, i will definitely be willing to take them!

 

[NomadMik]

I am in Phoenix, AZ

My niece was supposed to only get chicks and she came home with two ducklings and 3 chicks. I have a 10 x 20 chicken run that I have divided in half so they only have 10 x 10 feet of space. I placed plywood on the ground to eliminate the mud but the amount of poop makes it filthy in there. I put wood shavings over the plywood wood but when they flap their wings it blows away the shavings and leaves bare wood which is slick with poop. It is also about 110 degrees here which makes the smell really bad. I am unable to bend over to clean the enclosure every day. They also force their way into the chicken side and hurt the bamtans.

 

[aart]

My niece was supposed to only get chicks and she came home with two ducklings and 3 chicks.

Send the ducks home with them?

I placed plywood on the ground to eliminate the mud but the amount of poop makes it filthy in there.

Remove the plywood and add more woods shavings...or better yet larger wood chipping or mulch. Is it the ducks water that is making it wet in there?
There are ways to control taht a bit.
Pics of how the ducks are set up might help,
don't worry about showing a mucky pen, many have been there before.

They also force their way into the chicken side and hurt the bamtans.

Show this too, there are ways to stiffen the barrier.

 

[3bird]

I'm sure we can help turn this situation around and make your mixed flock a joy again! Ducks get a bad rap about being messy, but it usually just takes a slightly different approach to their care.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

So many people in my area are selling ducks on Craigslist because they can’t care for them anymore. What should I do?

Free on Facebook gets things gone in a hurry.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

where are you? if you are near me, i will definitely be willing to take them!

People having locations definitely helps with nearby breeders, groups and caring for your animals based on climate concerns and indigenous predators.