Modifying Chicken Coop to Keep Ducks

[Incukahlan]

Ha! You have no idea. Try running two businesses and home schooling kids on top of running the zoo. Lol. It's fun though. Definitely never bored. The only disadvantage that I can think of with the Pekins is that they tend to grow more quickly than other breeds, so can be more prone to leg problems, but with niacin supplements, or vitamins in their water they are fine. Niacin is something that should always be given to ducks anyways by default. Pekins just tend to need it more because of their growth rate. Other than growing so darn fast I can't think of any downfalls. I love them to death. They follow you around the yard, talk to you when you come outside, come sit in your lap if you are on the ground. And love nibbling on you. It's the most personable breed along with the Buff. Khaki's are beautiful, but then again, I love all duck breeds, minus the runners. Lol. They just look strange to me.

 

[Nutcase]

Ha! You have no idea. Try running two businesses and home schooling kids on top of running the zoo. Lol. It's fun though. Definitely never bored. The only disadvantage that I can think of with the Pekins is that they tend to grow more quickly than other breeds, so can be more prone to leg problems, but with niacin supplements, or vitamins in their water they are fine. Niacin is something that should always be given to ducks anyways by default. Pekins just tend to need it more because of their growth rate. Other than growing so darn fast I can't think of any downfalls. I love them to death. They follow you around the yard, talk to you when you come outside, come sit in your lap if you are on the ground. And love nibbling on you. It's the most personable breed along with the Buff. Khaki's are beautiful, but then again, I love all duck breeds, minus the runners. Lol. They just look strange to me. 

Runners are cool! If the ducks have a pool in the run, they'll be occupied enough won't they? I don't intend on giving them the whole backyard to roam around in, just the run. Besides we'll probably let them out for an hour or two under supervision every day, which is what we do with the chickens.

 

[Incukahlan]

Oh, I'm sure they will do fine with just a pool and not the whole yard. Water keeps them amused for hours, lol. I've never had runners, only seen them in pics, so my opinion only comes from that. Lol. They are so skinny!

 

[Nutcase]

Oh, I'm sure they will do fine with just a pool and not the whole yard. Water keeps them amused for hours, lol. I've never had runners, only seen them in pics, so my opinion only comes from that. Lol. They are so skinny!

Same here. But they look so exotic. I'd love to have a few.

 

[Incukahlan]

I may try them one day. Not totally closed to the idea, but I like my variety now. : ) I'm looking forward to seeing the Cayuga eggs. That should be neat. Have you ever seen them? Gorgeous.

 

[Nutcase]

I may try them one day. Not totally closed to the idea, but I like my variety now. : ) I'm looking forward to seeing the Cayuga eggs. That should be neat. Have you ever seen them? Gorgeous.

I've only ever seen pics of Cayugas but I love love LOVE their colouring.

I just found this extremely helpful thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

You might have seen it before. I didn't know there was so much to duck keeping!

 

[Incukahlan]

Ha! I have it bookmarked for quick reference. Lol. That's funny. It is a great post. Learn something new everyday they say. Always seems to prove true somehow. The Cayugas are so pretty. My female that I have(Coyote)( Lol, after the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Team, not the predator. Just read that and saw the irony!? Lol.) is midnight black absolutely everywhere. She is the smallest of the group. Her eggs should be black as well. Will have to post pics this spring when they start laying. : )

 

[Nutcase]

Ha! I have it bookmarked for quick reference. Lol. That's funny. It is a great post. Learn something new everyday they say. Always seems to prove true somehow. The Cayugas are so pretty. My female that I have(Coyote)( Lol, after the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Team, not the predator. Just read that and saw the irony!? Lol.) is midnight black absolutely everywhere. She is the smallest of the group. Her eggs should be black as well. Will have to post pics this spring when they start laying. : )

Good luck with the eggs! On the initial post of the thread I saw a mention of brewer's yeast:

Brewers Yeast- jumpy (for ducklings of any age)
Brewer's Yeast contains an essential nutrient for ducks called Niacin. Niacin is known to promote overall good health, and to help ducks with leg/foot injures. Niacin also helps cure spraddle or splayed leg in baby ducks. Any duck with a foot or leg injury of any kind can take Brewer's yeast (either in packets or in crushed up pills) on their food or in their water.

Does brewer's yeast mean any kind of yeast? Does this go for chickens as well?

 

[Incukahlan]

I read something about how someone uses just regular Brewers Yeast, and others use Nutritional Yeast flakes(like healthfood smoothie mix yeast) both of those have different levels of niacin(Vitamin B Complex). Generally I just use a vitamin/electrolyte powder for the water for the first 3 months for the ducks. The chickens don't really need it because their feed has all the vitamins they need, I feed my ducks chick starter because I have so many chickens it doesn't make sense to buy separate food when they can just have the starter/lay. The only problem is that those two things don't have all the vitamins/supplements that Duck feed does, so I supplement with the vitamins. Since my ducks get the vitamins, so do my chickens. Even though the chickens don't necessarily need it, it definitely can't do any harm, and does give them a boost when they are freshly hatched. When doing all the research that I could on the right supplement for ducks the options were vitamins/electrolytes, niacin tablets, and brewer's yeast. I have a duckling who is struggling with niacin deficiency, so wanted to opt for the straight niacin tablets, but haven't gotten to the store to get any yet. The Brewer's Yeast probably has the least amount of Niacin in it compared to all three options, but if your ducks are not exhibiting any deficiency issues, then I would say just plain Brewer's yeast would be fine. My (Vet Value) vitamins/electrolytes powder packet cost $7.00 at my local feed store and is good for 128 gallons of water. It's good for chickens, ducks, pigs, horses, etc. and has everything you need in it, so that was my choice for right now. Hope this helps!

 

[Nutcase]

Great info, thanks for that! I have instant yeast at home, there doesn't seem to be a difference between that and brewer's yeast...