New to ducks... Help

[cosbackyard]

To tell the truth I have not made a huge effort with the ducks because they are just so darn disgusting...I don't want to sit where they have been long enough for them to get used to me. It isn't like with the chickens where I can sit down in the coop and just watch them...for one the ducks act like I'm scaring them to death, secondly they are just so very very gross...they smell, so I don't find myself drawn to stay with them...I need to make more of an effort...they do like treats though. The Pekins...not the mallards. They ignore anything I give them until I am gone unless they are in the water...then they are happy with the treats. The ducks are for real no fun for me at all. Just a huge stinking mess all the time. I'm not so sure that we won't just eat them all and revert back to just turkeys and chickens. And all my ducks are still in their respective brooders...once they have their coop built I might be able to spend more quality time with them...I blow dry them after their baths and that is our up close and personal time. If ever it gets nice outside I plan on setting up a wire puppy enclosure to spend some time with them, but it's been cold cold cold here still

I get where you're coming from. I've been keeping ducks for a couple of years now. They've never really been affectionate towards me. I don't expect it anymore. The times when I get the most joy from them is when they're ranging around the yard, getting those beaks into everything and waggling those goofy butts. I can watch them for hours, though I can't explain why.


If I couldn't free range them I'm not that I'd want to keep ducks. That's where the magic is for me. Well that, and the eggs

 

[missnu01]

Yeah

I get where you're coming from. I've been keeping ducks for a couple of years now. They've never really been affectionate towards me. I don't expect it anymore. The times when I get the most joy from them is when they're ranging around the yard, getting those beaks into everything and waggling those goofy butts. I can watch them for hours, though I can't explain why.


If I couldn't free range them I'm not that I'd want to keep ducks. That's where the magic is for me. Well that, and the eggs

I'm thinking once they are able to walk about being beautiful it will be much better. But right now I just don't know...I love watching the chickens while they go around being chickens...so I can assume that I will love the ducks when I can watch them being ducks swimming on the pond and inspecting the yard puddles

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I am hardly the most experienced duck keeper out here, but my gut feeling is that blow drying ducks is inappropriate, as is keeping them indoors, unless you are a very very dedicated pet duck owner. Myself, I would *never* keep duck of any age or size or number indoors. Never. I love my ducks, but first and foremost, they are LIVESTOCK. Have you heard of Storey's Guide? Ducks are water fowl, and to expect them to be dry is, I'm sorry, completely asinine.

I will give Amiga's & Miss Lydia's advice a standing ovation: if you don't like caring for ducks properly, then you really should revisit the Rehoming Thread.

Edited for spelling

 

[cookielee]

WOW.. :/ thank you all so much for the advice, its a little sad ... yes the owner said I could as long as I keep my apt clean .. spotless describes my home, and by the sound of it duckies aren't for me I cant do messes and I knew they would be smelly but I thought as long as I kept them clean I could control it, thank you all so much. I can not have cats or dogs, do you guys recommend any animal??

 

[missnu01]

To tell the truth I think I could have a couple bantam chickens inside like house birds and it not be a big deal...ducks are just way dirtier than chickens are. So if I had to keep poultry in my house it might be a chicken...

 

[johari]

Try ferrets? I had three of them and they were wonderful pets. As long as you clean their litterbox regularly they shouldn't smell.

Here's a great messageboard for ferrets.
http://everythingfert.proboards.com/index.cgi

 

[countrygirl74]

If you would like honest insight from people that have house ducks (myself included) I recommend posting on the house ducks thread. You will see pics, stories, Q&A.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/632070/show-off-your-house-ducks

x2!!!!

Our ducks are now outside, but we do have duck diapers on hand in case we ever need to bring one in for a time - illness, etc. We had them running around our house with their diapers for a couple weeks before we put them outside as it was the dead of winter here too - waiting for them to feather out. There are lots of people who have ducks or geese for house pets! If you go to Metzer Farms website, they even sell a book about keeping a duck or goose in the house. If other pets are allowed in your apartment, I don't see what the difference would be in having a duck there. However, be aware that Pekins are loud - just in case you are worried about them quacking... they can get as annoying as a little yappy dog sometimes. I love mine but one of my special girls likes to talk and talk and talk.

Here's a great link to affordable harnesses, diapers, etc.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...apers-harnesses-great-prices-check-them-out-2

 

[BickeringToast]

I just want to make it clear I am NOT an indoor duck advocate! I realize there are quite a few people on BYC who are able to have their duck(s) inside successfully, but it is not my 'cup of tea'. I believe (just my opinion) ducks should be outdoors enjoying duck life

MISSNU01:: I agree 100% that there is nothing wrong with treating an animal well (or as a pet) that you intend to eat eventually. I was vegan for years simply because we lived in an area where factory farmed meat was the only option and I have never figured out why an animal raised as food has to be mistreated while alive. But you do not seem to be enjoying the ducks at all. And you did state that the nice thing about chickens and ducks is that when you get tired of them or stop liking them, you can eat them. I just find that to be a very odd attitude towards a pet.

JOHNPDX:: All I can think was maybe the mess was soaking into the towels and causing the whole thing to smell so bad? Also, if the ducks are getting the bedding wet with their water it definitely adds to any smell.

My four ducklings (haha they are HUGE) have been in the same large brooder which is in the same master bathroom, since they were 4 days old on March 1st. I won't pretend we did not have major water problems that first week. But once we did the water containers with holes AND placed it all on a pan with hardware cloth, ducks and brooder have stayed dry. There was only 1 incident when my 4-pack attempted to build their ow water park by ripping the top off a water dish and slinging it around the brooder. That was resolved with some duct tape (o the bowls, not the offending ducks). I only empty the water pan once a day- sometimes I will sprinkle a little PDZ in it if their is any poop and that takes care of any odor. The rest of the brooder is about 2-3 inches of pine shavings. A couple times a day I go in there with a kitty litter scoop. The ducks have stomped down the litter and any poop is kind of clumped up. I kind of scrape up any pooped on or wet layer of the pine with the scoop and clean fresh pine is just underneath. At night when I do the 2nd little clean-up I fluff up the clean litter and make sure there is no wet pine I missed and usually add a little more.

I won't lie; I will be VERY happy when the 4-pack moves to their permanent outside digs. Even though we have avoided the stink and they are not even all quaking yet, my master bathroom seems to be covered in pine shavings 24/7. I sweep in there at least 2x a day but those **** shavings are EVERYWHERE!!! One of the sinks was clogged a couple days ago and I found pine shavings in it.....how?!?!? Oh well, I'm sure once they are out I will miss them being in there and peeping like maniacs when they hear my voice

 

[Going Quackers]

I think there is a lot of confusion that ducks and chickens are somehow like dogs and cats, yes they can be friendly and yes, quite personable but if you go in expecting common household pets(ie; cats/dogs) your setting yourself up for disappointment.

I respect the fact people have a right to choose but to me, poultry are livestock which means they reside outdoors doing what they naturally do, with ducks that is making a hot mess lol I wouldn't keep my horses inside, although on a negative 40 day, you could likely temp me

 

[thegoldengirls]

I think there is a lot of confusion that ducks and chickens are somehow like dogs and cats, yes they can be friendly and yes, quite personable but if you go in expecting common household pets(ie; cats/dogs) your setting yourself up for disappointment.

I respect the fact people have a right to choose but to me, poultry are livestock which means they reside outdoors doing what they naturally do, with ducks that is making a hot mess lol I wouldn't keep my horses inside, although on a negative 40 day, you could likely temp me

You took the words out of my mouth. I love my ducks and treat them better than I probably should.
But I agree, they are livestock and should reside in an environment that is as close to natural as possible.
No disrespect to anyone, just my opinion.