Thinking about getting ducks(:

[hjvaughan18]

Okay so I want to get ducks from either tractor supply or a good website I found. I just need some help on questions I have, as I have never aphad ducks before.
I was wondering if chicken coops work because whenever I look all I can find is chicken coops, not duck pens. If I build my own how Big should it be? Big enough for a person to go in it or just big enough for the ducks to walk around and sleep in? If I build one should it be heated? I live in Pennsylvania and it can get cold during the winter. Also, would a pool work instead of a pond for them? I have a kiddie pool I have never used before that's about 4ft deep and maybe 9ft wide. If that works could i just build a ramp up to it so they could go in it or what should I do? I'm getting the ducks when they are about 2 days- a couple weeks old. Should I keep them inside with me until they get a little older or will they be ok locked up in a pen outside? Lastly, there are many ducks in my area and they sometimes are playing in my yard. They are domesticated enough that you can hand feed them. Are they ok to play with my ducks?
Thanks for your help. I have a lot of questions and really want to learn how to care for ducks.

 

[ducklover87]

A chicken coop would work but ducks and chickens have different needs. Chickens roost while ducks for the most part don't except for muscovies or maybe calls. Chickens also use nest boxes where ducks pretty much just lay wherever they want. Ducks are really messy and if they have water in their house they may make a mess. I find the younger they are the more messy they are with water. Here's a link to other peoples duck houses https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/671003/duck-house. It doesn't need to be heated as long as its not drafty they should be fine. I live in upstate NY and I mix straw in with their bedding which is usually pine shavings for extra heat. I also give them a heat lamp in a corner whenever it gets below freezing (32°). I pool will work just fine. A ramp is fine as long as its not too steep and has good grip for them. Unlike chickens its hard for them to use ramps. I'd keep them in for a Lil bit but that's just me. With having them inside for a Lil bit its easier to get them to bond with you. Also ducklings can be in water unlike what some people think. However, the water must be warm but not too warm about 80 to 90 degrees for water temp. For the first few weeks. The water level should be low for their first swim just enough where they can barely touch. The next time add just a Lil bit more water but not much more. Just watch how they act and if you feel it could be a Lil deeper try it. They should never be unsupervised while swimming when they are so young. Limit their time to 5 mins the first time and then 10 mins for a few times after that. Some say to pat them dry then stick them back under the heat lamp but I never patted mine dry. I'd keep your ducks locked up for a Lil bit because the ducks that are already there might think they are intruders even though they really aren't yours. Here's a good link for all the other stuff I haven't mentioned. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings