Newbie, need help

[bernieduck]

This book was written approximately 30 years ago, when my GF was in 3rd grade, she had always wanted a duck, so I thought I would get her 2 ducks. ( where should I get them from?)

Please I am new to this and is seeking any help.

checking to see can we make the ducks into house ducks? How do we do that? Do they poop in the house? ( I have 2 dogs, a Maltese and an old jack Russell plus a cat)

Or do we keep them outside? I just accquired 2 small ponds that I need to install. Can you please let me know what else I need to do not to have too much of a mud area? Or any mud area.

Do we build a coop ( how do we get plans? ) or how do we buy one?

Please, please help!! Don't know anything about ducks

Please help, should I get at least 2 ducks?

 

[Amiga]

Bravo! You are asking before you bring them home!!!

Yes, at least two. Ducks are flock animals and really need a buddy 24/7. Some of us are able to be that buddy - but most are not.

There is a thread for indoor ducks - I suggest you introduce yourself. Lovely, amazing people on that thread.

Please look this over. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks has been a great reference for ducks, and I have a new favorite, The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook that may be more along the lines of what you want. It is a big book, with loads and loads of information, so it may seem pricey. But if I could only get one book, that would be the one. Storey's Guide is very good - and you may be able to find it at a library.

We do not have much mud, and we have 14 small ducks (Cayuga, Runners, Buffs). A 2% slope, some small channels to direct water into gardens or shrubs, and things like chopped straw, wood chips, and a cultivator can keep things fairly pristine. Oh, and some fly traps and fly predators. When the temperature gets hot - like, around 90F, flies seem to appear out of nowhere. But the traps and predators have made them much less of a concern - usually barely noticeable.

Many domestic ducks do fine with a kiddie pool or two - in your case, you may be able to find a BYC Duck person who has done what you want to do. Duckaponics or aquackponics are two things you may want to search in the archives.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

-Kathy

 

[bernieduck]

Thank you for your advice.

Should I get them a coop?

 

[Amiga]

If you want them indoors, that would be different than keeping them outdoors. In our case, long story short, it was safer and less expensive to adapt part of our walkout basement to be a night pen for the ducks. Keeps them above 40F, no freezing water, fairly secure, I can hear if there is a kerfuffle and I do not have to shovel three feet of snow to get to them in the depths of winter.

We have a day pen that is fenced top, bottom and sides as well. Have you checked in on the indoor duck thread?

@Scovy Momma or @Amykins or others can give you the scoop on indoors.

 

[bernieduck]

I would love to keep them indoor. I would like to start with 1 duck, but the breeder I found said they have a minimum of 2.

 

[lovelyducklings]

I would love to keep them indoor. I would like to start with 1 duck, but the breeder I found said they have a minimum of 2.

start with two, especially if you're buying ducklings. I've seen that when you buy one, he/she can tend to be a little nicer since they're with you all the time (this is just what has happened to me though.) but if you guys will not be near the duckling all the time then you should definitely buy two to keep them happy

 

[bernieduck]

Thank you, we will get two. Do you have advice on where? And what time of the year should I get them?

 

[lovelyducklings]

where to get them? hmm not sure, I raise my own ducklings in an incubator but I got my first two at Rural King (if you have one near you) I would go there and see if they have any if not, just look around. and you can get them any time really, preferably before/after winter so it'll be easy for your first few months of having them.

 

[Honey Maid]

Bernie, I suggest you get them next spring. That will give you plenty of time to get their yard, coop, and pool, all set up. And, give you time to research and decide what breed of ducks you'd like, and learn about caring for ducklings, and ordering food if you need it. I bought Mazuri waterfowl starter on line, shipping was only $5.00, i figured it was worth it. Your local feed store may be able to order the breed you want, ask them now if they can. You may just end up with what they can get. Post, read, and get to know people here, the place is loaded with great people that are helpful and friendly.

Oh, welcom to the forum!