New to ducks!

[ezell5]

Ok so I have had chickens for about 6 months now and decided I wanted ducks to. I know nothing about ducks! I bought 5 little ones, one is a khaki and the other 4 are half wood duck. We are digging a pond on the back of our property and I would really like to have th out there when they aRe old enough. So my question is, will they need a house on the pond? Will they stay? Help! Thanks!

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC!

Once the ducks are fully feathered they can be moved to the pond. Before that, they aren't water proof and could catch a chill.
A little coop will keep them safe from predators and dry form rain, wind or snow. It should be near the pond and have enough space for them all to rest in it. Wood ducks can perch but domestic ducks sleep on the ground.
Sounds like they will be happy, with a pond and everything.

There is a good book on ducks that you can buy or get from the library called "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks". It has really good information in it

Good luck!

 

[ezell5]

Thank you! I have them in med size pen but it's not by the pond, will this cause a problem when I get ready to love them? We live in Louisiana so it's hot! Once I move them will they still need a house to get in and be fed feed daily?

 

[GitaBooks]

They don't have to be kept right near the pond, they will walk to it in the morning.

The coop would only be to protect your ducks at night, since that is when predators generally come. It should be secure because of this, but they can be fed and watered outside. Ducks don't mind the rain and they do well in cold weather.