So I’ve decided to get ducks.

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I plan on getting 5 pekin ducks and a pekin drake this year and need advice. I’ve raised chickens myself for 10 years and have had them my entire life but I am totally new to ducks. I know they need niacin but I have other questions!

How much square footage is needed per duck in a duck house? (Will be building my own out of pallets)

Will my pond be suitable instead of a pool?

Will I have to heard them into the house at night? (Have to do it with my latest batch of chickens; they’re a tad special)

How big are the eggs compared to a Rhode Island Reds?

What is the drake to duck ratio?

I am getting hatchery ducklings; how long until they can swim?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Presenting more ducklings pictures!

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you don’t train them to go inside where they can be locked up expect losses. Especially if you have just about every predator known to man,

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

They have gotten very big. The one I thought had a niacin deficiency actually has a hip deformity. Vet also told me one of them had a broken leg at one point and it healed a little wonky. Good news is they are doing great and they have a new mama who has not told them they are adopted.

 

[Chickenaddition]

Going to show these pics of the ducklings to my SO tonight and I know what's going to happen....

duckling avalanche in my life

 

[sylviethecochin]

Ducks take about four feet of space each. They're less likely to fight than chickens are, but they're also larger.

A pond is great.

Best to just feed them in the duck house at night. You'll never get them off of the pond otherwise (mine sleep on it.)

Their eggs are about half again to twice the size of a large (store-size) chicken egg.

That's a good duck to drake ratio. 5:1 is great if you only have one drake.

They can swim immediately, but they shouldn't swim for very long when they're young. I generally wait until they have belly feathers (about four-five weeks) before I put mine on the pond. Before that, taking them outside and dropping them in a puddle is a special treat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes most on here would def rec a secure house with plenty of ventilation.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

So I got 4 Pekins today since rural king had them!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Duck pics!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Now I need more ducks. Probably will get some more next year along with some geese.