SHOULD I GET DUCKS!?!?!

[KaleIAm]

I adore my ducks... But I do not recommend getting ducks. While they have brought me plenty of joy they have also brought me so much heartache. If they were livestock and not pets it may be different. In 5 years I have lost 3 of 6 to medical conditions, even though I took them to an avian vet right away and spent thousands. The remaining 3 are on medication for life. I can't take a vacation because who will medicate my ducks? I can't take certain jobs because the ducks have to go to bed at 5pm year around to keep them from having reproductive issues.

If I were to ever have ducks again I might consider muscovies, as they are less inbred and might have less health issues. This is just a theory another member and I have.

 

[Blkat]

I adore my ducks... But I do not recommend getting ducks...

KalelAm does raise an interesting point. Ducks, like any animal, are a commitment. They also are not as bullet-proof as many other critters, such as dogs, cats, horses, etc. They have relatively short lifespans, even under the best of circumstances, and it does seem that, despite the fact they are outdoor animals, pretty much everything outdoors makes it their lives' work to eat them.

Accept the ducks for what they are and if you're willing to make the commitment to care for them, then yes, the OP should get ducks. After all, they have such cute little smiles on their bills. (Chickens, on the other hand, give you this look...)

Or look at it this way. Most on this forum treat their ducks especially well and give their web-footed friends the best life possible. Chances are, by making the commitment to care for them as best as you know how, the duck's life is a heck of a lot better than if the two of you had never met. Even if it's shortened due to predators, illness, or what ever may come, you made some little duck's time on earth that much better.

 

[KaleIAm]

KalelAm does raise an interesting point. Ducks, like any animal, are a commitment. They also are not as bullet-proof as many other critters, such as dogs, cats, horses, etc. They have relatively short lifespans, even under the best of circumstances, and it does seem that, despite the fact they are outdoor animals, pretty much everything outdoors makes it their lives' work to eat them.

Accept the ducks for what they are and if you're willing to make the commitment to care for them, then yes, the OP should get ducks. After all, they have such cute little smiles on their bills. (Chickens, on the other hand, give you this look...)

Or look at it this way. Most on this forum treat their ducks especially well and give their web-footed friends the best life possible. Chances are, by making the commitment to care for them as best as you know how, the duck's life is a heck of a lot better than if the two of you had never met. Even if it's shortened due to predators, illness, or what ever may come, you made some little duck's time on earth that much better.

It is true, I know I've given my ducks an amazing life. Not only would they be dead without me, (and they would be because of medical issues) they would have had a much less happy life leading up to that point. I'm very proud of the life I've given them. I think I'm just too sensitive to have ducks for pets - though they are very worthy.

 

[Owenp_2]

KalelAm does raise an interesting point. Ducks, like any animal, are a commitment. They also are not as bullet-proof as many other critters, such as dogs, cats, horses, etc. They have relatively short lifespans, even under the best of circumstances, and it does seem that, despite the fact they are outdoor animals, pretty much everything outdoors makes it their lives' work to eat them.

Accept the ducks for what they are and if you're willing to make the commitment to care for them, then yes, the OP should get ducks. After all, they have such cute little smiles on their bills. (Chickens, on the other hand, give you this look...)

Or look at it this way. Most on this forum treat their ducks especially well and give their web-footed friends the best life possible. Chances are, by making the commitment to care for them as best as you know how, the duck's life is a heck of a lot better than if the two of you had never met. Even if it's shortened due to predators, illness, or what ever may come, you made some little duck's time on earth that much better.

Yes, I have thought about the commitment it will be and I am going to dig out part of my small cow pasture to make the creek into a large pond to where I could take the ducks for an occasional visit. I will keep a small pool in their coop year-round so they can have access to water 24/7.

 

[Blkat]

Yes, I have thought about the commitment it will be and I am going to dig out part of my small cow pasture to make the creek into a large pond to where I could take the ducks for an occasional visit. I will keep a small pool in their coop year-round so they can have access to water 24/7.

Then it sounds like you'd be a very good duck caretaker.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Hey everyone, for those of you who don't know I have seven chickens and I am currently trying to expand my flock. I am trying to consider if I should get ducks or not? I know this is a short thread but please give me helpful tips, advice, breed information, diet, and care information also.
Thanks,
Owenp_2

YES DUCKS ARE THE BEST. But in reality there are things to take into account! Ducks CAN be messy but not quite as messy as you would think. If you are doing a pool, I recommend a raised pool with a drain that goes OUT-of the run so they can’t spill it and make to much of a watery mess.

 

[Owenp_2]

YES DUCKS ARE THE BEST. But in reality there are things to take into account! Ducks CAN be messy but not quite as messy as you would think. If you are doing a pool, I recommend a raised pool with a drain that goes OUT-of the run so they can’t spill it and make to much of a watery mess.

Okay thank you!!

 

[Owenp_2]

Then it sounds like you'd be a very good duck caretaker.

Thank you!!

 

[3bird]

I adore my ducks... But I do not recommend getting ducks. While they have brought me plenty of joy they have also brought me so much heartache. If they were livestock and not pets it may be different. In 5 years I have lost 3 of 6 to medical conditions, even though I took them to an avian vet right away and spent thousands. The remaining 3 are on medication for life. I can't take a vacation because who will medicate my ducks? I can't take certain jobs because the ducks have to go to bed at 5pm year around to keep them from having reproductive issues.

If I were to ever have ducks again I might consider muscovies, as they are less inbred and might have less health issues. This is just a theory another member and I have.

I am so very sorry for your experience, @KaleIAm . It sounds heart-breaking. :-(

I do want to add for others that I don't think KaleIAm's experience is typical. My general understanding (and our personal experience) is that quality ducks tend to be hardier and less prone to a wide variety of illnesses than say chickens. Yes, we have had ducks on oral medication (e.g., antibiotics) for simple issues like bumble a handful of times, but it is the exception rather than the norm. Yes, we did have to cancel our anniversary trip one year because we had a duck on an HIV med that needed to be administered 3x/day and cost a small fortune...lol...long story, but it was really a small sacrifice for us given the joy that duck has brought (she's 3.5 yo now and doing great!). Again, very much the exception and not the rule in our experience.

Regarding bedtime, I'm not sure why you put your guys to bed at 5 pm year-round, but that is not the norm for the ducks we've known. Our ducks follow a natural light cycle with no artificial light because we don't want to push them to lay all winter (although they pretty much do!). Being in Maine, that means they are out until late in the summer but set for the night by five or earlier during the shortest winter days. Our duckhouse has an attached, covered, predator-proof run, and they have 24/7 access to water and food in the run and can come and go from the duckhouse as they like. As such, if we can't be there at bedtime for some reason, we just load them up with food, and they are fine for the night.

For someone considering ducks, absolutely do your homework and decide what is best for you, but there is no reason that ducks can't be excellent, hardy, beneficial, and relatively low maintenance animals (even pets!) to have on the farm.

One major caveat: We always suggest people look into heritage breeds from reputable breeders--that can make a huge difference.

 

[KaleIAm]

I am so very sorry for your experience, @KaleIAm . It sounds heart-breaking. :-(

I do want to add for others that I don't think KaleIAm's experience is typical. My general understanding (and our personal experience) is that quality ducks tend to be hardier and less prone to a wide variety of illnesses than say chickens. Yes, we have had ducks on oral medication (e.g., antibiotics) for simple issues like bumble a handful of times, but it is the exception rather than the norm. Yes, we did have to cancel our anniversary trip one year because we had a duck on an HIV med that needed to be administered 3x/day and cost a small fortune...lol...long story, but it was really a small sacrifice for us given the joy that duck has brought (she's 3.5 yo now and doing great!). Again, very much the exception and not the rule in our experience.

Regarding bedtime, I'm not sure why you put your guys to bed at 5 pm year-round, but that is not the norm for the ducks we've known. Our ducks follow a natural light cycle with no artificial light because we don't want to push them to lay all winter (although they pretty much do!). Being in Maine, that means they are out until late in the summer but set for the night by five or earlier during the shortest winter days. Our duckhouse has an attached, covered, predator-proof run, and they have 24/7 access to water and food in the run and can come and go from the duckhouse as they like. As such, if we can't be there at bedtime for some reason, we just load them up with food, and they are fine for the night.

For someone considering ducks, absolutely do your homework and decide what is best for you, but there is no reason that ducks can't be excellent, hardy, beneficial, and relatively low maintenance animals (even pets!) to have on the farm.

One major caveat: We always suggest people look into heritage breeds from reputable breeders--that can make a huge difference.

Our avian veterinarian recommended that we have our ducks on a strict 10 hour daylight schedule to mimic winter year around. This is because one of our ducks has had serious reproductive issues for most of her life. We also have other environmental protocols in place to "turn off" her reproductive system. All under the guidance of her vet. We used to follow a more natural daylight schedule with the seasons, like you, but my duck needed surgery multiple times and almost died more than once.

All 6 of my ducks have been medically fragile. I asked my vet what I was doing wrong and she said ducks are just not bred with health in mind. 1 of my ducks came from Metzer. 2 came from a feed store. 3 were rescued from a pond where they were abandoned.

I don't mean to make them sound like a bad thing. They have been one of the greatest joys of my life. Everyday they delight me and make me laugh. They follow me around. They come when I call them. I could gush and go on for hours about how much I love them. They are wonderful and charming pets.