New to ducks!

[feasel]

We have just got 3 Khaki Campbell lady ducks, apparently all layers and from a very large farm.

We are all taking a little while to get used to each other and haven't settled on names yet because the ducks seem very scared of us and probably need a wee while to get used to us being around. I think once they settle down, their characters will show and names will come easily. We've built them a pond which they seem to fear, but they love their splashy bowl and pretty much put themselves to bed now once I go into their pen near sundown.

They have a lovely big wooden Puddleduck duck house which I have amply filled with hemp bedding, though it occurred to me that they might like straw if this is what they are used to having from their old farm life? And they do everything as one unit; all stand up at once, all sit down at once, all walk in a line.. One of them has slightly scraggy wings - feathers seem to be missing - which I hope will sort itself out in time? Am not sure of the cause. And we have had a couple of unfortunate incidents, they got into the house which was not fun for anyone, and our cat likes to scatter them, though this is less effective now we have them in an enclosure with chicken wire fencing... I feel there is masses for me to learn about these little comrades and their needs, I am busy going through all your threads for info on the pond, fox-proofing their environment and other ways to love them well. Any tips on scraggy wings, happy pond times and best policy re: straw/hemp bedding gratefully received! Also, we got the same layer pellets they were having on their farm, but they don't seem to be eating them at all. They seem to prefer foraging in our lawn, is this normal? I have never met an animal less interested in being fed than these wee comrades.

Here are our girls:

 

[GGBEAR]

Ah yes me to New to duck bought my first 2 Indian runner ducks on Saturday I can hardly get near them without them going in to mass hysteria tried to take pics but have to be quite far away one of em if you look like your going anywhere near her starts quivering and then as you get closer bolts ive got no idea how to even start trying to tame them
Help please

 

[Carcajou]

We have just got 3 Khaki Campbell lady ducks, apparently all layers and from a very large farm.

We are all taking a little while to get used to each other and haven't settled on names yet because the ducks seem very scared of us and probably need a wee while to get used to us being around. I think once they settle down, their characters will show and names will come easily. We've built them a pond which they seem to fear, but they love their splashy bowl and pretty much put themselves to bed now once I go into their pen near sundown.

They have a lovely big wooden Puddleduck duck house which I have amply filled with hemp bedding, though it occurred to me that they might like straw if this is what they are used to having from their old farm life? And they do everything as one unit; all stand up at once, all sit down at once, all walk in a line.. One of them has slightly scraggy wings - feathers seem to be missing - which I hope will sort itself out in time? Am not sure of the cause. And we have had a couple of unfortunate incidents, they got into the house which was not fun for anyone, and our cat likes to scatter them, though this is less effective now we have them in an enclosure with chicken wire fencing... I feel there is masses for me to learn about these little comrades and their needs, I am busy going through all your threads for info on the pond, fox-proofing their environment and other ways to love them well. Any tips on scraggy wings, happy pond times and best policy re: straw/hemp bedding gratefully received! Also, we got the same layer pellets they were having on their farm, but they don't seem to be eating them at all. They seem to prefer foraging in our lawn, is this normal? I have never met an animal less interested in being fed than these wee comrades.

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Very nice! I have kept Khakis since 2011 and adore them. They are very skittish and will probably always be a bit nervous - just don't make any quick moves around them and they will be fine. They also are skittish of new things so the pond will be an adjustment for them. I once left my garden pump in my pond and they wouldn't go to that end of the pond for days even after I removed it. I would stick with the hemp bedding if that is what they are used to. I use flake shavings. Straw isn't recommended as it can mold easily. I turn the shavings daily, adding to them once a week or so and removing some when it gets deep. I completely change them twice a year - late fall and in the spring.

Feathers - they may be molting. If they did lose some for another reason as long as there are no signs of injury they will grow back in time.

I recommend putting up something sturdier than poultry fencing and burying it in the ground so digging critters can't get under it. The best is 1/2 inch hardware cloth and also the most expensive. I just use some sturdy wire fencing for their enclosure. Depends on your predator situation. I have been very lucky but some have to completed enclose their pens as preds can dig, climb and fly in for a tasty duck meal.

They do like to forage but they also need some duck pellets. I would check around to see if a local feed store sells duck pellets. You can feed Purina Flockraiser or equivalent though. I would be careful with just using layer pellets as the calcium content is too high for ducks and can cause some health issues. I have mixed it 25% with my regular duck pellets during the laying season (mine take the short daylight days off and I let them because they need the rest). I recommend getting them into a routine where they are let out to forage during the day and put in their enclosure in the afternoon and into the coop just before dark. I let mine out after eggs are laid in the morning and hang their feeder. I pull the feeder in the early pm (if it is not empty) put them in around 4 pm this time of year. They see the feeder coming and will usually follow it right into the fenced area. It may take some time with adult ducks in a new setting, I raised mine from ducklings. Spend as much time as you can around them and be gentle.

You might also look for a copy of Raising Ducks by David Holderread.

Here is a link you may also find helpful; https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings

And oh yes, they do perform in unison!

Good luck!