thinking about getting a duck.. questions

[grawg]

It's always nice to read these forums from time to time to reassure myself I'm not the only crazy person that digs worms for my ducks...

As for the op's topic, I have 4 runners and the 3 females are able to fly over a 2' fence, but they rarely try this. I would also tend to agree with the others comments about runners being nervous. Had I known this before I got them, I may have considered the WH more than I did. However, at the time I was looking for a good foraging duck and an active breed for garden pest control. Honestly, my runners almost seem too nervous for the smaller garden I have, it would be nice to have a duck that didn't run away every time you move wrong or wear something "different"

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
Mine were pretty good layers, they do not fly at all. Mine were very skittish around people, they weren't friendly at all but I know people on here have found them to make good pets.

 

[roxyblue]

Thanks everyone!
so I will get two next spring if this all works well, will they wander far from the coop when I let them out, because I live near roads,cars etc, and now as it is I have to run out every half hour and bring the chickens closer to the coop to make sure they don't run off ar get hit by a car and stuff. and are ducks as good at foraging as chickens are?
thanks again everyone!

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
It depends on the ducks IMO, some of mine wander quite far while others seem content to stay closer to the coop.

 

[Azd1292]

Hi roxyblue ! I noticed you are in Pittsburgh pa! Go Steelers! ! This spring I got two pekins and they are really friendly if you can I would def try to get two females because one male would wear out one female. I have more than one female but my Pekin boy favors one girl and I have to separate them sometimes to give her a break. Sometimes they do wonder off so I try to keep them in a fenced area with the heavier plastic fencing from lowes. It was cheap and easier to put up move around . My Pekin started to lay this fall and so far I get an egg a day from her. Good luck on your new babies!

 

[Little One]

Quote:
They will likely wander as far as the chickens do. And they will forage for bugs and grass seeds, also sifting their bills through mud puddles, etc. But, they don't use their feet to scratch up dirt and grass. (I can only speak to what Pekins do, though.)

 

[roxyblue]

Oh yes, the steelers rock.
pekins are the ducks I'm looking at the most right now. I would need two girls anyway, so we're good to go there.
Does anybody keep there ducks confined? I have to imagine they are much happier out side but I really do think that the run is big enough for them to be happy, they would get some time out while I am supervising, or maybe I'll just fill the tub with water and let them swim to keep them occupeid. DON"T WORRY if thats the way it turns out I'll be digging up worms for them and everything so they will not miss out.
thanks for all of the info, it means a ton to me!
thanks again!

 

[GrannyCarol]

It's very easy to put up a fence that would keep the Pekins in - my larger ducks will stay out of the flower beds if I use an 18" fence. A small fence will keep them off the road... however, it won't protect them from a stray dog and they can't fly out of the way and hardly run. You might consider what you can protect them with, or, if you are out with them, maybe a short fence would keep them from accidentally wandering unto the road. Just some thoughts.

 

[roxyblue]

Thanks!
yah, well I would fell really bad about not letting them out, so it's a good thing that I don't need to block of to much of my yard in order for them to have a large roaming area. it's a good thing there aren't people around that let there dogs loose, I've only had one bad experience with a BIG dog I had to jump on it before it could get to my chickens. That was scary. My cats have learned not to go near my flock because the chickens just bite there nose and thats the end of that. are ducks easier prey for the cats?
THanks again!

 

[GrannyCarol]

My cats don't bother adult ducks at all. I keep the strictly separate from baby ducklings though, I wouldn't expect a cat not to think that was ok prey. Baby ducks get big enough at about 4 weeks that I'm not concerned about the cats any more.