The Duck Thread

[YarrrgotheMeast]

I made my duck coop by wrapping chicken wire around the stilts of my old tree house. We also put it under the coop, so nothing could get in. Our door is just a space that we cover with more chicken wire. We built a ramp wrapping around the inside of the house and goes upstairs. They use that at night and when its windy. I have some hay up there and a heated water bowl. Anyone want a pic?

 

[houseofknauss]

Hi everyone,

We are thinking about getting ducks, and I'm wondering if anyone else here has raised ducks in a similar climate to Las Vegas. We're thinking about getting one Pekin and one Mallard duck to live in our backyard. I understand that they need space and wouldn't be happy indoors all the time, but I'm wondering if it's possible to raise them outdoors in Las Vegas. It can get down to 50F during the winter and up to 105-110F during the summer.

I feel like these are very extreme conditions for ducks, and I'd like them to be comfortable. I'm unsure if it's even possible to raise them in such an environment. Has anyone kept ducks in a backyard in relatively harsh weather conditions successfully without bringing harm to them?

Hope someone can help. Thank you!

here are some thoughts, however I live in new York. that is 2 different sized ducks by quite a bit, if you want the mallard look, go rouen, they are the size of a pekin but look like mallard. if you want them to produce off spring, don't go female pekin, they don't sit well on their eggs. if you are getting them just for pets I would go with 2 females. as far as the weather, its the hot you have to worry about. plenty of shady cool spots and cold water to bath in.

 

[Amiga]

I made my duck coop by wrapping chicken wire around the stilts of my old tree house. We also put it under the coop, so nothing could get in. Our door is just a space that we cover with more chicken wire. We built a ramp wrapping around the inside of the house and goes upstairs. They use that at night and when its windy. I have some hay up there and a heated water bowl. Anyone want a pic?

Always good to see a photo!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Always good to see a photo!

 

[ringaring]

Any experiences with feral cats out there? I let the ducks out this AM and a cat came flying out the door as I opened it. There are lots of feral cats in my area and although they spend a lot of time sightseeing in the duck yard, they have never approached the ducks. I think the ducks are too big for them to prey on. (10 runners, 1 KC/Rouen mix and a mystery duck - was supposed to be a runner but is smaller, black, blue shoulders and holds herself more horizontal than upright. If I ever figure out how to post photos I'll do so)
Back to the cats - I believe they are keeping the mice population down in the duck house, which is great, but is there any down side to their presence? Will they eat the eggs once the ducks start laying again - they're on holiday right now. Thanks for any information.

 

[Amiga]

Any experiences with feral cats out there? I let the ducks out this AM and a cat came flying out the door as I opened it. There are lots of feral cats in my area and although they spend a lot of time sightseeing in the duck yard, they have never approached the ducks. I think the ducks are too big for them to prey on. (10 runners, 1 KC/Rouen mix and a mystery duck - was supposed to be a runner but is smaller, black, blue shoulders and holds herself more horizontal than upright. If I ever figure out how to post photos I'll do so)
Back to the cats - I believe they are keeping the mice population down in the duck house, which is great, but is there any down side to their presence? Will they eat the eggs once the ducks start laying again - they're on holiday right now. Thanks for any information.

I would watch, cats have not seemed to be a threat here, but I know weird things happen. We have ours, and then there is a neighborhood cat who shows up. He does kill rodents and I appreciate that. My biggest concern would be that the ducks do not have contact with the cat's feces - or any wild animal feces - that could carry parasites, etc.

 

[itsbob]

Any experiences with feral cats out there? I let the ducks out this AM and a cat came flying out the door as I opened it. There are lots of feral cats in my area and although they spend a lot of time sightseeing in the duck yard, they have never approached the ducks. I think the ducks are too big for them to prey on. (10 runners, 1 KC/Rouen mix and a mystery duck - was supposed to be a runner but is smaller, black, blue shoulders and holds herself more horizontal than upright. If I ever figure out how to post photos I'll do so)
Back to the cats - I believe they are keeping the mice population down in the duck house, which is great, but is there any down side to their presence? Will they eat the eggs once the ducks start laying again - they're on holiday right now. Thanks for any information.

Not sure about ducks but chickens will keep you rodent free. They are VERY good mose catchers, and they will fight amongst themselves to see who gets to eat the tasty treat.

 

[starlingsbaby]

A pic of my first few ducks^^^^^

Her fixing to flaP HER wings^^^^^

her flaPPING^^^^^


when they were babies^^^^



there first swim in our driveway lol ^^^^

HERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THE PICS OF SOME OF THE DUCKS I HAVE.

 

[Amiga]

starlingsbaby,

sweet duckies.

 

[token13]

So cute! Looks like they are really enjoying that driveway lol