Really need advise with my frist little duckling!!

[Clayre]

Hi Everybody!
Recantly my boyfriend brought me a duckling I have allways wanted one for many years, I have read bits and bob´s one the internet about owning a duck and it said that ducks now are very popular domestic pets. We live on a 4 story flat but have a very big roof terrace for her.
Im not sure how old she is but she is at the stage that her feathers are changing??
I love her dearly and can watch her all day, she really has a great caracter, the only thin is i am finding some problems and have some questions. So if any one has advise i would be so greatfull!
So these are my problems;

1- The POO! I always read that Ducks do poo and that when they sleep if you only have one duck give them a soft blanket and maybee a teddy as a companion. We have a dog house that she sleeps in and i thought you needed to lock her in at night but when we wake up she has poo all over her bed and teddy.
Is this something she will grow out of? Do they learn to poo in one area? Or should i not be locking her away at night time?

2- She is a female and i was just wondering do they always lay eggs? even without a male?

And any other advise any one has is truely welcome!

P.S - Her name is De De

 

[duckyfromoz]

First off

and to duck ownership.

Ducks poop...day and night... LOTS! Nothing will ever really change that no matter what you do. Its how you learn to deal with it that will make things easier for you . Does she sleep out on the terrace or inside? It may be an idea to keep her inside or locked up if you cant be with her while out on the terrace as she may just one day try and fly off.

She will lay eggs even without a male around- they just wont be fertile and able to be hatched.

 

[mandelyn]

Yeah, they poop like birds. Everywhere and all the time. But the good news is that it's water soluble and washes easily. The blanket can be washed and re-used, pre rinsed in the sink. I use towels for little babies until they get older, because of all the water they throw around, it prevents a lot of wasted bedding.

She will need a pan of water for bathing, without water they won't preen themselves very well and will get dirty. Also it needs to be deep enough to dunk her head, so that she can clean her nose out.

No male needed for eggs, they only make them fertile. Boys have nothing to do with if it is laid or not.

 

[veronicasmom]

Welcome to the world of duck poop! It is everywhere and very yucky. But they are wonderful, personable pets, so it is a small price to pay for the enjoyment they bring.
Do you know what kind of duckie you have? Some of the domestic breeds can fly, so be really careful on a roof terrace.
I personally feel that all ducks need to be able to bathe. If you watch how much they enjoy it, it seems mean to me to deny that to them. Anything they can fit in and splash around in will work. It is messy, but it helps keep them clean, and healthy. I also provide a small bowl, too small to bathe in, but large enough that they can submerge their whole head into to clean their eyes and nares (nostrils). And to have water to drink that has no poop in it. Keep their food dish a little bit away from the water and it won't get as messy.
It is fun to cut up some greens and other veggies and float them in the water dish. And then, of course, there are the PEAS! Ducks LOVE peas. Thawed, frozen peas. A handful a day will make them your friend for life. Not sure how old a duckling has to be to get started on peas, I've always only had adults, but someone on here will know. Maybe the babies need them mashed. But tossing them around and watching them chase them is priceless. Soooo much better than tv!
Anyway, poke around this forum for some great duckkeeping hints. It is full of good advice (and maybe some not so good, so common sense is kinda necessary too )