Some questions, if you don't mind

[minna]

I AM planning on getting some ducks this year, despite my dh's protests. I have wanted some for a while and fully intend to get some. I know he will give in, b/c he did with the silkies, and numerous other things. LOL!

I want pretty ducks, but I want sufficient ducks. I want them to be able to hold their own and lay decently. I have a "pond" but it only hold water in the winter right now, so until we get it fixed or dig the other one, I will have to buy them a pool for a water source.

We are getting a swimming pool this year, will they get in it and dirty it up?

Also, the perfect plan would be to put them a house beside the pond or the barn and let them come and go to the pond as they please, but my dh says we would need to build them an island of some sort in the middle of the pond to keep coyotes away from them and that is his reasoning for not getting any until the new pond is finished or this one is sealed. I have never seen anyone coop up their ducks, so I don't know. I think they would be fine up close to the barn, b/c the dog doesn't let any critters up that close.

Any help would be appreciated, I have fallen in love with the Khaki babies, but I'm not sure what would be the best for me.

 

[Wifezilla]

We are getting a swimming pool this year, will they get in it and dirty it up?

Yes! LOLOLOL

The island sounds like a good idea, but they WILL go in a pen at night if you train them to.

I got my ducks as adults, and we kept them in a pen for 2 weeks before we started letting them wander the yard. That let them see the hutch and pen as THEIR safe place. Now they go in their on their own most nights. Sometimes I have to tell them "Time for bed!", but they usually go in on their own.​

 

[ChickenToes]

If you want pretty and efficient ducks, look into Khakis, Welsh Harlequins, and Runners. They'll lay lots of eggs!

You don't need an island in your pond. A larger predator might just cross the pond to get to the island anyway.

My biggest concern with my ducks is owls and hawks. As soon as it gets dark out, the safest place for ducks to be is in a coop. It only took us 3 or 4 days to train our ducks to head into the coop at nightfall. Now they do it automatically.

 

[shelleyd2008]

If you have a house beside the pond, you would still need to train them to go in it.

An island would be a good idea, except for one. You say the pond only has water in the winter, so what would the ducks do in the non-winter seasons? Plus, if they are used to going on the island, they will probably lay there. So how will you get the eggs? I was thinking of making a floating island, but it would need to be anchored, then anything that climbs could easily climb the rope to them.

I have heard that runners are the best layers. Khakis a close second. As for aesthetics, I love my black cayugas and rouens!! The white pekins are nice, but let's face it, they are white!

But they are good layers too!!