New to Ducks

[Nmarine1057]

Hi guys my wife and I have been raising chickens for a few years now and would like to raise some ducks. We have a lake for them and the plan was to get about 4 mallards raise them until they can fly then just letting them go down by the lake next to the corn feeder. Do i need to build a pen or will they be ok in the wild by themselves. The lake does have an island on it but it has a walkway to it. Also will they eventually fly away

 

[Amiga]

Ducks on a pond are such a wonderful sight!

Welcome to the threshold of Duckdom!

I am wondering if you might find it easier to look into a food plot that would attract wild waterfowl, who would be much more likely to survive on the pond than ducks raised as domestics and then turned out. That might save some heartache later on.

 

[Nmarine1057]

We have a nice size clover plot, but the problem is ALL our neighbors have lakes and all are bigger than ours, so we are less likely to get visits from wild ducks or geese but I don't mind them flying away just wish they would come back to nest.

 

[Amiga]

Well, as far as I know, there is no sure-fire way to get ducks to decide to make a home in any particular place.

That includes ducks raised domestically, even mallards.

Ducks are quite susceptible to predators, and those raised with people are at much greater risk for any number of reasons.

What I have seen, and would like to have everyone avoid, is ducks raised to expect food and shelter and protection, turned out with some food available but not much else, from their point of view. You probably know about hawks, eagles, snapping turtles, weasels, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, possums, maybe even bobcats.

A food plot with millet would attract waterfowl, based on the complaints I have seen from people trying to raise millet for themselves and their livestock!

Amaranth, wheat, oats, sorghum, are all seed-producing plants that are pretty in their own right, and have a reputation for drawing wild fowl. These foods are also much more nutritionally balanced than corn.

 

[Nmarine1057]

I'll definatly look into one of those food plots! So when should you release ducks so they can take care of themselves or do I need to make them a home by the lake and call them pets

 

[Amiga]

I don't know how you would raise ducks for release with a chance of success in the wild, but is there a wild waterfowl rehab training program in your area? They would know, wouldn't they?

Now there is a cool project! You could be a rehabber!

 

[Kevin565]

Are there any other species of ducks that hang around there? If so I WOULD NOT advise releasing ducks to your pond. This could interfere with their breeding. Also you will need to check your Fish and Game to see if you need permits to keep Mallards in your state as well as the regulations involving releasing Waterfowl. Have you thought about Scovies? They would be less likely fly away when the Wild Mallards migrate through.

 

[Nmarine1057]

This is some good itnel guys thanks! I'll have to check on the rehab that would be a fun project! only other waterfowl ive seen around are canadian geese so don't think mix breeding will be a problem.