Should we get ducks?

[MNFowl]

We have been raising chickens for about a year and love them. We are moving to a lake house soon, so we were wondering if we should get ducks. We would probably get one. I would like to know the pros and cons of ducks. I heard they are messy, but any other cons? We would have neighbors close by, so if they get too messy and attract flies that would be a major problem. The lake we would let the duck onto is extremely large. Also, can a duck live with the chickens? Or would the duck beat up the chickens? I really want ducks, but I feel like I need to go over the pros and cons. Thanks!

 

[lomine]

If you do get ducks you should get at least 2 ducks. Three would be better; if something happens to one of them you aren't left with a lone duck. They are a flock animal just like chickens.

They can be messy with their water. You can do a search of the forum to see the different ways people have found to deal with it.

I think it's hard to make a list of pros and cons for someone else. Something I like about them might be a negative for you. I think the best approach might be to figure out what you want out of having ducks and go from there.

 

[frenchbet]

Ducks are wonderful and they are also messy. They make a lot of mud anywhere they have water and dirt. Obviously they love water. Our neighbors have a pond behind our property and once our ducks found it it was very hard to get them to come home. They would run home briefly to their pen to grab a very quick bite of food and run back to the pond. We could not call them off the pond. And forget trying to make them come home. And although they love the pond it's very dangerous because they are so vulnerable to preditors. The pond is where we lost 3 ducks to hawks. I have such a love hate relationship with hawks. I think they are so beautiful to watch, but hate them because they unfortunately have to eat. My ducks are not allowed to go to the pond now and I have to do supervised free range and then herd them into their pen. The pond now is just a hassle hoping they don't try to go back to it. I think some people have ducks and ponds and don't have any losses but we unfortunately did and it's not worth it. They have to use their pools in the pen. Maybe not as fun, but at least they are much safer. Good luck with your ducks. I don't want to deter you, just let you know there can be down falls to ducks and access to ponds/lakes.