New Pekin Duck Owner

[texasjenn]

HI there! My husband and I just became the new owners of a pair of pekin ducks - George & Gracie. I have been reading all that I can on these ducks and how to properly take care of them but I still have a few questions. They are an adult pair that we got from a gentleman that has a farm and breeds them. We have about 2 1/2 acres of land in our backyard and about a 1/3 acre pond. We have a small boathouse near the pond that we had set up for the ducks to stay in but otherwise we had planned on letting them be free range on the property. When we got them home we opened the boxes inside the boathouse and they flew out a few feet and headed towards the water before we knew what happened.....so for the last two days they have been hanging out in and around the pond and just overall wandering around. We have spread their food around the area of the boathouse hoping to lure them back so we can corral them in the boathouse for a few days (so they know its a safe place) but they seem to be walking right by the food and boathouse. All of our attempts to herd them that direction or catch them have been thwarted as they just head for the water....We are spending a good amount of time around them so they get used to us but I am still worried about them being out in the open at night and then kinda freaked today when it rained. I spent about 10 minutes in the rain trying to herd them to the boathouse. My husband keeps telling me that they are fine and will find shelter if needed but otherwise let them be. We don't have a big problem with predators where we are and our winters are not harsh at all (maybe a few days over the season of freezing) so I feel that they are safe...I just would feel better if they at least *knew* that the boathouse was a safe, dry, warm enviroment for them....

So am I being crazy or just a new duck owner?? I have attached an old pic of the area they have to roam around in....The biggest difference now (the pic was taken in the dead of our Mississippi winter) is that the bank around the pond is thick with vegetation and there are bushes all over the place on the perimeter of the property.

Thanks!

- Jenn

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Ducks will do ANYTHING for peas. Fill something with frozen peas and water (it will take a lot) and try to get behind them. Toss the peas in front of them - not too far, but enough to get them moving. You should be able to herd them by tossing the peas and using your arms - raise the right one if you want them to move left and vice-versa. Once they see you pulling the precious peas from that bucket, and are close to the boat house, put the pea bucket in there. That should keep them occupied for long enough you can close them in.
They are, I am sure, nervous & trying to get their bearings. If you can get them in the boat house & keep them there for 5-7 days, then keep them on a consistent schedule, they should do great.
Ducks are the best. Good luck & enjoy. You've come to the right place.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Congratulations on your new ducks too! We have lots of other kinds of ducks, chickens & geese, but our 2 Pekins hold a very special place in our hearts. They are simply adorable.

Some ducks do fine unconfined, but I think it's best to have them in a safe place for the night. Especially Pekins, who almost glow in the dark, and who are more plump & less nimble than other breeds. Try putting their feed in a bowl or pan in or near the boat house, instead of spread all about. My ducks forage for a lot of their own food around the yard, but always like to come to the feed pans for a big meal.

I give my ducks the chickens' layer pellets. You can also look on the forum for a list of good treats to give to ducks. Maybe you can get George & Gracie interested in something special like peas or grapes, and tempt them to come into the boat house at night.

One thing you needn't worry about is your ducks needing shelter in a rainstorm. They're naturally waterproof, and seem to enjoy the weather that few others prefer. Have fun with your dear ducks!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Here are our Pekins when they were lil' cuties:

At that age they looked like rubber duckies, so we named them Latex & Vinyl. Here they are in their adult loveliness:

 

[texasjenn]

Thanks for the replies so far! I am gonna have to try the pea trick tomorrow....I have tried getting them interested and moving with their food but they were not having it...so hopefully peas work better..lol...

Also I am guessing they will do just fine with the pond as their source of water (for eating, preaning, ect) but just want to make sure....

 

[featheredfashions]

Congrats on being new Pekin Parents!! I too am a new Pekin owner. Adopted a pair of Pekins just a week ago! They are now 2 weeks old, live inside and will soon be diapered!

(PS. Your home and land are just beautiful!!)

Jennifer

 

[Sunny Side Up]

That pretty pond will be fine for all their drinking & bathing needs. But you still might want to put a bowl of water near their dry feed, they seem to like to have water handy for washing down their food. Of course, they'll leave food at the bottom of their water bowl, and dribble water in their food.

Good thing they're so adorable since they're also so messy!

 

[ChickInDelight]

Apparently you don't have snapping turtles in that pond. I lost a duck that way, now the others won't go in the pond.

I can TOTALLY comiserate. I built a duckhouse, but I cannot always get my ducks to go in at night. I have to deprive them of their Purina all day AND attempt to put them in at the precisely right time.

The good news is that my Pekins, bright white as they are, have survived for months inside a wire fenced yard.

Everytime you put feed out, call them the same way. Eventually, they should equate your call with feed.

Also, you should know, ducks know exactly what you want and will usually do the opposite.

 

[texasjenn]

Ok so I finally got them i to the boathouse! Had to corner and then grab but I did it. Now I am gonna keep them there for 5-7 days so is there anything I should or should not do now? They have a doghouse with bedding, a large bowl of water, and a shallow bowl for their food. The boathouse is about the size of a large bathroom so they have lots of room. I was planning on feeding them at night and removing the food the next morning so they learn that dusk is feeding time. Probably gonna get a bell so we can work on ringing it at feeding time. Am I missing anything? Do they like toys or things to keep them busy while cooped up for the next week.

These little guys are so cute but man, they have me nervous! I am afraid of doing something wrong...lol....

 

[bayyjayy]

Your land is absolutely gorgeous. That picture looks like a puzzle box! Beautiful.

You will totally enjoy your new babies, and you will ABSOLUTELY love this forum for all your needs!