Quick question for all the duck people....

[paris0589]

I am new to the BYC and originally wanted to buy a few chickens, but I found out that we are not zoned in Ocoee, FL. We live on a pond that is shared with about 10 other homes, so I thought if I couldn't have chickens perhaps a could get a few ducks for the pond that is stocked with fish, turtles and a lot of frogs. If I added some ducks, do they stay or will they wander? I will not be able
to provide shelter as we are NOT ZONED. I would be able to provide food. Am I better with baby ducks or older ducks? We already have ducks and other water fowl that visit the pond daily. Any thoughts??? Thank you.

 

[Amiga]

First

It is so good to meet another duck lover

My thoughts are that in your case, it would be best to see what you could do about making the pond a better habitat for wild ducks, and enjoy them from a distance. Domestic ducks suffer when left on ponds. They just aren't built for it. But wild ducks would appreciate nest boxes, or a food plot, for example.

 

[jdywntr]

I have to say that I agree with Amiga 100%. Domestic ducks will not survive long without predator proof housing and help from their humans. Ducklings would not survive on their own.
Domestic ducks don't have the "skills" to survive and very few can fly.

Making the area more friendly to waterfowl will make the wild ducks that already come there continue to do so.

 

[JulieNKC]

Turtles will eat ducks, it wouldn't be a great idea to put them on the pond.I'd just do like the poster above said and make the area more inviting to the wild ones.

 

[paris0589]

Thank you Amiga, jdywntr and JulieNKC for your responses....I had know Idea that domestic ducks would suffer to be put in a pond situation. We already feed the wild ducks that visit and they enjoy the treats that we bring them. What do you mean by a food plot? If I was going to put out nesting boxes, how do I go about doing this and what do they look like? We do get baby ducks every year, but they seem to dissapeer quickly so I think something is eating them. If you have any other suggestions to make the pond more inviting I would really appreciate it. It's nice to have this wonderful view of the pond, but it makes it even better to see all the wildlife hanging around.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Our FL waters can have a number of turtle species, gators, gar (fish) as well as wading birds. Then there is the mammals such as raccoons, weasel family, possum ect. All of which eat duck if given a chance.

All of the above mentioned predators would enjoy a do,estic duck snack. Making shelter a must have/provided item for ducks. Also if you are not zoned for chickens, the city/county won't enjoy you keeping ducks either. Start a petition to change the city ordinance on keeping chickens. Many places in FL have recently changed laws allow 3 or 4 hens NO roosters.

FL also has pretty strict laws on "interfering" with wild species of ducks. I would not suggest placing nest boxes out. Tossing some food to them is typically ok. Try to not give them bread, or corn (both are empty calories. A game bird feed or waterfowl feed from the feed store would be better to offer to them.