Space for 4 ducks

[Here come the ducks]

Hello I am Getting 4 ducklings next month ... I have a house that will be 32 sq feet and a covered pen with 176 square feet ... is this enough space ? I will have 3 girls and one male ... I am been to this ... I’ve read a lot but read different things about space ... just read that I should have 125 sq foot per bird! That seems like a lots... yes ?

 

[Duckmom27]

I've always seen 4 sq ft per bird recommended for coop size. 32 sq ft for 4 ducks should be plenty. I don't know what recommended run size is; my ducks free range during the day, but I'm sure someone else will be able to comment on that part

 

[Chicalina]

that is more than enough space!!!!

 

[Here come the ducks]

that is more than enough space!!!!

Thank you both for your help.


I have another question... I wasn’t only going to get to here females ... but I really want a boy... will it Be a lot of drama with finding eggs, broody behavior and mating issues?

I will have 2 Pekin girls and one. Girl cayuaga. The male will be a buff....

Wondering if I should just stick to the three girls

 

[Here come the ducks]

Sorry for the typos that was supposed to say ... I was o my originally going to get three females ... then I added a boy.

 

[Chicalina]

IME having males makes absolutely no difference to where the ducks lay or whether they go broody.

Fertile eggs or infertile eggs makes no difference to the eating of them either.

A male will mate constantly with the females and I recommend at least a 1 to 3 ratio which is what you are suggesting I think.

Are you looking to breed them? If not I wouldn't bother with a drake. The girls will be totally fine and don't need a man around to have a fulfilling life!

 

[Chicalina]

Do post pics of your cayuga when you get her. I am totally in love with them!

 

[Here come the ducks]

Oh thank you both!! Yes... I thought having a boy would Be sweet...and also thought I’d Be saving a boy from some tragedy down the road ... but .... I am going to stick to my three girls !! I may get the buff anyway, but instead make it a female !!
But I have heard it is good to start with three ... what do you guys think 3 or 4 for a first timer... lol

Yes I will definitely send pics !!! They arrive the week of 9/28... from Metzer farms!!!
Sooooo excited .... I even have a bassinet and play pen for them !!! Ribbons and I put pink swirls contact paper on the outside of my plastic container for the brooder !!! Hahaha...

 

[Chicalina]

Saving a drake from certain death is a very good motive. In that case perhaps rehoming an unwanted older drake from a backyard keeper at some point when the girls have grown up may be a good idea.

Personally I would get 4 girls, assuming I have the space. Then nobody is left out, and if you get a drake later on then the more girls he has to sate his appetite the better for the girls.

 

[featherhead007]

To prepare for getting ducks, I recommend watching "The Duck Song" on YouTube first!
Waddle, Waddle.