New to ducks... Help

[cookielee]

I have never had a duck before, but I'm going to pick up 6 Pekin Ducklings this weekend, when they get a little older I will only stay with 2. I live in an apt .. but I have access to grassy areas and pond, I also have a decent sized balcony, at said my duckling will be indoor ducklings. I heard you can put diapers on them ? and I was also wondering what they eat, I cant find any pet store where I live that sells duckling food.. Please any advice does and don'ts.. also I would like to add that I have a child, and am worried about salmonella in their feces

 

[cosbackyard]

Ducks are hilarious and great to have around but they`re a significant commitment. They're not as affectionate as a cat or dog and they make a much bigger mess. That last part cannot be overstated. My three week old ducklings make such a mess with food, water, and poop that I am counting the days until I can get them outside into their pen. Personally I couldn't recommend having ducks without a yard and pen. Some people here can comment on the diaper thing but I cannot imagine that is living indoors with ducks would be tolerable. I love mine, but they have got to live outside.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Personally I am right there on the inside duck thing. They are messy beyond anything I ever expected and I would never keep ducks unless they could be outside, in the barn, way out back in their yard. Don't get me wrong, I love my ducks but never inside the house. Another thing you will need to think about is the right person might get really good at managing one or two ducks, but 6?? Yikes. I can see the apt manager getting upset. Sorry to be blunt, but it's my truthful opinion. I feel that this might not be the best situation since you've said that you don't want the salmonella around your child -- you can never eliminate it, it is part of their life cycle.... And also, since you said that you don't have a feed store around. Please really think this thru.

 

[cookielee]

I want to stay with only two, but the farmer I am getting them from wont sell any less than 6, she say after 2 months they can be separated, that they're heard animals, I wouldn't want to traumatize them so ill take the 6 .. I don't have a backyard I do have a nice sized balcony and there is a backyard type area on the property but its community.. thank you have given me a lot to think about..

 

[RileyB]

I feed mine non-medicated chick starter. The feed store will be able to help you decide which food is best.
As for messiness...I completely agree with everyone else. I love my ducks, but they're disgusting. I just added two ducklings to my small flock of chickens and ducks, and I can't even describe in words how messy those two little ducklings are. I can't wait for them to go outside!
With that being said, they are great pets....outdoors of course.

 

[ducksinarow]

Free ranging ducks do not smell bad but even there pen can smell like a sewer. Not the odor I want in my house. Diapering a duck every few hours. I cannot imagine doing that for 10 years. Inside I would go with a couple of parakeets. I have had both and parakeets are MUCH friendlier.

 

[Amiga]

While I don't keep my ducks indoors upstairs, their night pen is in the walkout basement. And the basement smells fine. I make it a point to ask visitors to see the pen, and the ducks, and my friends who know how to speak their minds remark on the fact that there is no unpleasant aroma.

That doesn't mean all duck pens are pleasant smelling, but I wanted to toss this in here to report that there is a wide spectrum of experience represented on the Duck Forum.

 

[RubberDuckee]

Starter feed is good for around 4-5 weeks or so. (I prefer to only use water fowl starter feed - NOT chick feed). After than, switch to a sustainer, such as Mauzuri. You can go to their website. I biy my sustainer from them. ALso, you hould visit thegoosemother.com. They sell a starter kit for ducklings that are for indoor keep. They sell by breed too,, and they offer an excellent book for reading. I love them! It's time for me to order my next set of diapers since mine have just about been worn out.

With the child.... KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE. Just speak in a very soft and gentle voice and explain that the ducking is breakable... it is a baby, like "you" and we have to keep special care of it and treat if very gentle like a little baby." He/she will slowly understand. FYI - excellent early childhood lesson in empathy and respect!!!