Rescue duck help

[heatherlaw]

I bought a small kiddie pool that I planned on changing daily. Would that work? Its small enough that its easy to dump and easy for them to get in without a ramp.

 

[Ravynscroft]

That will work just fine! But it is a pain when it gets cold, just fyi... a 2 gal bucket for just drinking water would be good to have separately as you want to have a drinking water source that they won't swim (and poop) in... and 2 gal buckets are much easier to deal with during cold snaps...

 

[heatherlaw]

Ok I’ll pick up a bucket tomorrow. I’m not too concerned about cold though. I live in northern CA in the vally and “cold snap” here means high 40s during the day and maybe it gets down to 30 at night. Hence I have a veggie garden right now. Its actually easier to grow a winter garden than summer here because summer means its over 100 for weeks

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Your duck is beautiful. Are you going to build a duck coop?

 

[heatherlaw]

Your duck is beautiful. Are you going to build a duck coop?

I was actually thinking about converting the bottom of my chicken coop into a duck coop. Hubby built my coop with an upper level for the gals and a lower level for storage. If I can get him to add a slide out tray for cleaning and a small door for the ducks to use it would be perfect.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Lucky you on the garden, but I DO NOT envy your summers! Ours are awful as it is!

Sounds good! And coop idea does too! If it is just a couple, they don't need tons of space if it is only for nighttime/sleeping... but the more space the better, of course... just be aware their ventilation needs are more than chickens, they produce much more 'wet' waste, as expected... also, they can go without water overnight just fine as adults... but never, ever leave food out *unless* they have water... ducks need to wash their food down or they *could* choke...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Oh, and here is an excellent resource thread with duck friendly treats and also stuff to avoid...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

And just another tip, ducks absolutely do not like change... but they thrive on routine and are very capable of training... patience and finding their fave treat is key...

 

[heatherlaw]

I think the coop will work great them because ventilation is great and space is good. I have had great success with using sand under shavings for bedding. The shavings are comfortable and can be raked off the top and the sand keeps things dry. They would have to leave the coop for food and water at night but thats fine because I don’t lock them up. No predators here, especially with my dog around and “attack chickens”. One of my chickens literally attacked a cat that dared enter the yard. Ripped a chunk of fur out of its backside.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So exciting getting ducks again and bless you for taking this poor drake in he is gorgeous. Please post pics of his new friend when you bring her home. We'd love to see her.

 

[heatherlaw]

Ok another question, how do I keep the ducks in the yard while they adjust to their new home? Its a free range situation so I have no way to cover the whole yard. Is wing clipping enough? I know some ducks can fly pretty well. The drake is clearly not used to people so it will probably take a while (and many treats) to win his trust. I haven’t gotten the duck yet so we will see her situation.