My DH says I can have them if they don't destroy our yard - Will They?

[stefmech]

I have absolutely enjoyed my chickens, but now I am thinking ducks. I have a small koi pond in my back yard about 800 gallons. My koi are fairly large, so I am hoping that the ducks won't bother them. I plan on keeping them in an enclosure at night and letting them free range during the day. My DH is considering it, but we did some searching and found that Ducks can really mess up your yard. He keeps our back yard well manicured. I tried to assure him that two small ducks couldn't do that much damage - could they?

I want to get two Black East India Bantam Ducks, but I thought I better check with my friends at BYC for some advice. Please say yes

 

[onthespot]

Yes, they will destroy your yard and your pond.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
Completely destroy.

 

[El Naked Neck]

be carefull what u get in to

 

[onthespot]

Talk hubby into making an area that they can completely destroy... and keep them inside that area. You can landscape it with smooth rocks of different colors, levels, a nice waterfall. Think, zoo type habitat/enclosure. He could actually have fun with it AND you could both enjoy your ducks and stay civil to eachother the rest of the time.

 

[El Naked Neck]

now you are talking duck

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have spent most of today cleaning up the back yard.... About 1000 feathers everywhere to pick up , 20 or so holes to fill in , and raking and hosing to remove poop..... I dont have any plants in the back anymore as they have all been eaten by geese I used to have. I love my ducks, so the backyard is theres..... I just clean up after them.
I do have 26 out there at the moment and they can be a lot of work at times.
They do not scratch around like chickens, but when It comes to water...Yes they make a lot of mess.

However I do think if ducks are something you really want you should speak more with DH, research suitable enclosures, and find a happy compromise with free ranging that will mean the 2 small ducks wont ruin the whole yard. It would mean fencing off the pond too.
But it could be done as long as you are willing to make the effort, and realise that some destruction is always unavoidable.

 

[stefmech]

He's going to say, "I told you so"

 

[FrenchHen]

OUr four are currently in our garden, destroying it so we can plant later this month.
They'll trample and muckle up everything.
They poop ten times as much as chickens.

 

[DuckDuckGuinea]

A N N I H I L A T E - but I can't imagine life without them!