New to ducks

[mattc102]

I want to get just one duck or two and keep them in some form of chicken tractor , i know nothing about ducks please tell me everthing i need to know

 

[Amiga]

I suggest you take a little time looking around the Duck Forum, see if you can get ahold of a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, or even The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook (quite comprehensive and full of illustrations, so it's pricey).

Start with the sticky on Raising Ducklings.

Here are some highlights.

They are flock animals - at least two unless you want to be an honorary duck 24/7.
They are waterfowl - have a special relationship with water - you need to get that handled for their health and happiness, and your sanity.
Predators will come out of nowhere - even people with other fowl can be surprised by attacks.
Ducklings need 3 times the niacin chicks do and if they don't get it, a number of them have leg and neurological problems.
They grow fast.
They eat differently than chickens.
They are adventurous.
Many of them go through a stage from about 3 to 8 weeks in which they suddenly become terrified of any living thing bigger than they are.
Remember the water - it's important. They need to be able to rinse their faces frequently, and they need water 24/7 the first two months, and at the same time, their bedding needs to be as dry as possible to avoid mold.
Numerous times we see botulism poisoning reports on the Duck Forum.
They eat metal if bits are on the ground and that can kill them.
They can get angel wing and sprained legs sometimes.
Drakes are often a problem with overmating, rough mating. The number of drakes needs to be kept optimal. One drake per six ducks is a generally okay ratio, but a drake sometimes will pick on one duck - they can kill her. They'll kill chickens, too, if they mate with them.
Duck eggs are fabulous, duck poop is great fertilizer, ducks can be funny, wonderful, fascinating and they wipe out the slug population.
They don't need a pond, but they need to be able to splash around in relatively clean water.

 

[mattc102]

I suggest you take a little time looking around the Duck Forum, see if you can get ahold of a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, or even The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook (quite comprehensive and full of illustrations, so it's pricey).

Start with the sticky on Raising Ducklings.

Here are some highlights.

They are flock animals - at least two unless you want to be an honorary duck 24/7.
They are waterfowl - have a special relationship with water - you need to get that handled for their health and happiness, and your sanity.
Predators will come out of nowhere - even people with other fowl can be surprised by attacks.
Ducklings need 3 times the niacin chicks do and if they don't get it, a number of them have leg and neurological problems.
They grow fast.  
They eat differently than chickens.
They are adventurous.
Many of them go through a stage from about 3 to 8 weeks in which they suddenly become terrified of any living thing bigger than they are.
Remember the water - it's important.  They need to be able to rinse their faces frequently, and they need water 24/7 the first two months, and at the same time, their bedding needs to be as dry as possible to avoid mold.
Numerous times we see botulism poisoning reports on the Duck Forum.
They eat metal if bits are on the ground and that can kill them.
They can get angel wing and sprained legs sometimes.
Drakes are often a problem with overmating, rough mating.  The number of drakes needs to be kept optimal.  One drake per six ducks is a generally okay ratio, but a drake sometimes will pick on one duck - they can kill her.  They'll kill chickens, too, if they mate with them.
Duck eggs are fabulous, duck poop is great fertilizer, ducks can be funny, wonderful, fascinating and they wipe out the slug population.
They don't need a pond, but they need to be able to splash around in relatively clean water.

Thanks ! What do you mean by honoray duckling and i plan to buy an adult duck from my friend.

 

[mattc102]

Also, maybe i could just keep one duck with my 8 chickens , would that work and would they get Along

 

[jtn42248]

Also, maybe i could just keep one duck with my 8 chickens , would that work and would they get Along

To repeat what Amiga said before. Ducks are flock animals. One duck is a lonely creature. Especially if alone when just a duckling. If you can get at least two you and they will be happier. However, if you only get two you should really try for two of the same sex. They do not pair like geese so one male to many females is recommended in order to protect the female. If you get only one it may bond with you to the extent that it sees you as its companion duck and wants/needs to be with you at all times. Stress of being alone can make a duck very ill and can result in the duck just giving up on life itself.

Best of luck on your duck adventure. Keep in mind that the duck has needs that MUST be met in order to be a healthy and happy bird.

 

[mattc102]

To repeat what Amiga said before. Ducks are flock animals. One duck is a lonely creature. Especially if alone when just a duckling. If you can get at least two you and they will be happier. However, if you only get two you should really try for two of the same sex. They do not pair like geese so one male to many females is recommended in order to protect the female. If you get only one it may bond with you to the extent that it sees you as its companion duck and wants/needs to be with you at all times. Stress of being alone can make a duck very ill and can result in the duck just giving up on life itself.

Best of luck on your duck adventure. Keep in mind that the duck has needs that MUST be met in order to be a healthy and happy bird.

But would a flock of chickens make up for that other duck?

 

[ralph a]

Yes it will get along . But will be happier with it own kind. When you put a duck with your chicken they make a mess of water dishes and the space around it . Ducks seem to like dirty water best so they will carry food mud and just about anything they can put in the water dish to make a mess. Ducks love this chickens don`t .But this said they will get alone. They will eat the same feed as your chicken with no troubles. I my self have many ducks and chicken free range here. Some times in the winter i may have a duck with my chicken or a few months . Because my ducks pick on one. But when i have a need to do this l move a water dish up high for my hens only so they have chance at clean water. In winter i separate chicken from my ducks because of the ducks mess.

 

[jtn42248]

But would a flock of chickens make up for that other duck?

Like ralph a says they will get along but the duck mess is another story. Also, and more importantly, one duck that turns out to be a drake with a bunch of hens is going to harm your hens if he decides he wants to mate with them. Anatomically they are not compatible.

 

[Amiga]

Hi, @mattc102 - I am back!

Honorary duck - in other words, a single duck does best if someone is his or her buddy every minute of every day. There are people who can do this, and their ducks seem to thrive. But most of us don't have that kind of flexibility. Sounds like fun, though. Just a personal note, there.

Anyway, yes, from what I hear, there are also some ducks whose flock is chickens. Those need to be females only. Drakes do harm to chickens trying to mate with them. And, yes, the water differences. Chickens get terrifically annoyed when sharing water with ducks, from what I am told.

Glad you are asking ahead of time! So, you're thinking of adopting an adult? Nice

 

[nyrunner]

I would definitely get two females instead of drakes. And they will probably have no problem getting along with the chickens but you definitely want to get a pair