Share your wisdom

[Espresso]

I'm just getting started. Tell me everything I need to know. Must haves and favorite items. I am probably moving into an apartment soon so I'm going to be doing indoor/back patio ducks. I haven't decided on a breed but I'm thinking Anconas (because they are beautiful), Golden 300 Hybrids or Khaki Campbells. In that order of preference. What's your favorite? Should I stick to just hens? Hatch my own and see what I get? How do you make sure a duckling imprints? How many diapers do you need for a house duck? How many house ducks could one keep? I've run out of questions off the top of my head.... but feel free to answer anything I haven't asked! Just raising for eggs, btw. No meat yet. Doing rabbits for meat. I think neighbors can only see so much butchering before they think you're a psychopath....

 

[Espresso]

Also... how much time do they need to run around outdoors? Do you take them out with a play yard fence or on a leash? Or just let them wander and call them back when it is time to go in?

 

[Espresso]

No help? I think I've decided to hatch my own Anconas...

 

[Amiga]

Hi!

I don't always see every post . . . not right away, anyway.

Sounds neat!

If you hatch your own, have a plan for what to do with too many drakes, just in case. As cute as they are, some drakes are brutal when it comes to mating. Trying to save you heartache.

I started with all girls from a hatchery, and I love them. Eggs, pest control, cuteness, fertilizer are their main jobs.

Take a look through nettle's posts - she has had up to six indoor ducks at a time. She now has two.

I think the imprinting process just happens on its own. If there are no other ducks around, ducklings will grow up thinking they are human. That is why I got a bunch (eleven) of ducks.

I think they need daily doses of sunshine, vitamin D is very important for them. That said, there are vitamin supplements you can get.

Take a look at the stickies, especially Raising Ducklings for some good starter info.

Oh, and water management. Get that sorted out before they arrive - it was a huge challenge for me - I broke even, the house never smelled the least bit off. But I had a labor-intensive setup, and now I know I could do better.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/259876/do-your-ducks-have-water-at-night/10#post_13568197

 

[Espresso]

Thanks a bunch. Especially for the links. I don't think I'll keep all the drakes if I get more than a couple. This is kinda farm land and I'm sure I could donate them to someone pretty easily. Or I suppose use them for meat but I'm a sucker and I'm sure I'll get attached... haha.

 

[Amiga]

As long as you won't get yourself into an emotional bind if you have to let go of drakes, knowing you have no control over their future from that point.

 

[Espresso]

I'm not particularly emotional. I'm just too soft to do the deed myself if I named someone I think. Haha. I've decided to generically name my rabbits. They're just "The Starks"... Game of Thrones joke my husband made.

Those water solutions are brilliant. I've got everything saved to my pinterest.