SkyeT
Songster
1. I live in San Antonio, tx in a semi-gated community on .28 acre. Our "HOA" says no fowl, but whoops, we didn't know until months after we got our ducks. Our HOA is voluntary...
2. Hawks will get them if they want. We have huge trees, medium trees and small trees back there to deter the "landing strip" but all they do is perch in the tree above or on the fence. We've lost 2 to hawks, despite all the token things we did to deter them before the enclosed pen was purchaded. We learned the hawks here primarily hit yards at sunrise. Ducks dont leave their house until after.
2. We've had up to 8 free range ducks in the back yard. Poop smell is not a problem and the grass seems better for it. Yes, there are drill holes, but we see it more after rain or a watering.
3. We bought a 7x10 pen that is covered in chicken wire ALL over for night time safety. It was not expensive and did us good.
4. Water source: You must make sure that the water, or swimming, area is cleanable. Our 4x4, 1 ft deep kid pool requires dumping and cleaning every 4 days, unless it rains... so much mud.
5. Make sure, if your babies get to roam the yard, you have water stations. Ours has 3 water containers (plastic shoe boxes) spread out, mostly close to their favorite napping spots.
6. Our ducks love to hunker down under bushes. It makes to feel safe, keeps the safe and is a cool place in the summer. If you have some, or can plant some, do.
7. Oh, and we tried the traditional duck house thing. Once in a while we will find an egg in there. Otherwise, our Muscovy ducks use it as a perch. Worst/best purchase depending on how you look at it.
2. Hawks will get them if they want. We have huge trees, medium trees and small trees back there to deter the "landing strip" but all they do is perch in the tree above or on the fence. We've lost 2 to hawks, despite all the token things we did to deter them before the enclosed pen was purchaded. We learned the hawks here primarily hit yards at sunrise. Ducks dont leave their house until after.
2. We've had up to 8 free range ducks in the back yard. Poop smell is not a problem and the grass seems better for it. Yes, there are drill holes, but we see it more after rain or a watering.
3. We bought a 7x10 pen that is covered in chicken wire ALL over for night time safety. It was not expensive and did us good.
4. Water source: You must make sure that the water, or swimming, area is cleanable. Our 4x4, 1 ft deep kid pool requires dumping and cleaning every 4 days, unless it rains... so much mud.
5. Make sure, if your babies get to roam the yard, you have water stations. Ours has 3 water containers (plastic shoe boxes) spread out, mostly close to their favorite napping spots.
6. Our ducks love to hunker down under bushes. It makes to feel safe, keeps the safe and is a cool place in the summer. If you have some, or can plant some, do.
7. Oh, and we tried the traditional duck house thing. Once in a while we will find an egg in there. Otherwise, our Muscovy ducks use it as a perch. Worst/best purchase depending on how you look at it.
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