New to ducks- how do I look after them?

[chickenlover22345]

I'm new to ducks. How do I care for them and what's the difference between chicken care and duck care?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I'm new to ducks. How do I care for them and what's the difference between chicken care and duck care?

How old are the ducks ?
What type ?
Ducks need water deep enough to dunk their heads to clear the eyes and nares
If young making sure they get extra niacin can help yo avoid issues down the road
They love to have pools or ponds to spend most the time in
They also love to dig
I have areas that are just dirt I will add water dishes in so they can dig and make a mess without ruining the grass
Never add pools or water buckets on grass that you don’t want ruined
They don’t need roosting bars
Some ducks will use nesting boxes and some prefer to lay wherever

 

[chickenlover22345]

How old are the ducks ?
What type ?
Ducks need water deep enough to dunk their heads to clear the eyes and nares
If young making sure they get extra niacin can help yo avoid issues down the road
They love to have pools or ponds to spend most the time in
They also love to dig
I have areas that are just dirt I will add water dishes in so they can dig and make a mess without ruining the grass
Never add pools or water buckets on grass that you don’t want ruined
They don’t need roosting bars
Some ducks will use nesting boxes and some prefer to lay wherever

I haven't brought them yet.

 

[Callender Girl]

You're already getting some good advice from New duck mommy 2021. So, let me just add a couple of things.

In some ways, I find ducks easier to raise than chickens, especially if you live somewhere that has frigid winters. They don't have combs or wattles that can get frostbite, and rainy/snowy/crappy weather doesn't bother them at all. Often, my runners will lay outside their shelter and let themselves get covered in snow.

All my chickens have solid coops with adequate ventilation to keep the drafts and weather dampness out. The ducks live in a semi-enclosed shelter because, again, weather is less of a problem with them.

A couple of downsides: 1) because of their love of water, they are the messiest creatures! They backwash into their water dishes and pools, make major mud pits in the yard and create nasty, wet, poopy messes far too often; 2) they are more prone to leg issues. While I don't advocate grabbing chickens by their legs, never grab a duck by its legs.

Are you looking at a particular breed of duck? One major plus for me with the runners (aside from their inherent cuteness) is that they don't fly. Their undersized wings will not propel them over fences and into danger.

Let us know what you get, please!