Thinking of aquiring ducks? Please advise.....

[DB_Tex]

On the downside of runners, they don't seem to have much on them if you are hoping to eat some of them. Khaki campbells were originally intended to create a laying ducks with a decent table weight, welsh harlies are based on "sports" of campbells and are a little weightier (by half a pound or so) and lay about 10 fewer eggs per year. I also tried out some of Metzer's "golden 300s" and "white layers". I found the goldens to be hardy and intelligent with better laying performance, and also a presentable dress weight. The white layers look like a more refined pekin, lay well, and probably dress well too- but my experience with them is that the ducklings were more fragile and the hens more stupid than the goldens or campbells. My experience has been all in small quantities of the breeds-- your mileage may vary if you order in greater bulk and get a larger sampling.

Anconas, Magpies and Buffs are all reputed to be great dual purpose with decent laying and decent processed weight and meat quality. I've only cooked swedish and rouens so far and they are ok-ish layers and dressed and tasted very good, only about a pound or two short of store bought pekin ducks.

Harlequins are very popular for being intelligent, gentle, good layers and beautiful-- but I think most people are perfectly happy with whatever breed of duck captures their heart no matter what the breeds' faults may be. Browse some picture threads and hatchery sites with good pictures and just see what speaks to you.

Since you raise sheep, you will be pleased to know that foraging ducks eradicate liver fluke by feeding on the snails fluke depends on for it's life cycle.

 

[Amiga]

Quote:
I'm wild about my Runners!

It's pretty much up to the individual birds as to who gets along, but many people have ganders and ducks together. I recently met a gander who seems to believe he is a drake, and hangs out with the other drakes.

The thing to watch with ducks and chickens is drakes who fall in love/lust with chickens - they can do some damage there. Otherwise, again, many people have chickens and ducks housed nicely together.

That said, things to look out for are chickens on their roosts pooping on the ducks, which are ground sleepers (mallard-derived domestics, that is - not Muscovies or Wood Ducks). Also, ducks make their waterers quite muddy and murky very quickly. Chickens don't seem to appreciate that

So some kind of separate waterers are needed. This connects to the ducks' need to be able to dunk their entire little precious heads in water to rinse eyes, ears, nares and avoid potentially fatal infections.

And finally, you are nowhere near foolish - you are asking these questions BEFORE you get ducks. Bravo!

 

[animalpro24]

Quote:
1. I would say so. If you can't give them a pool/pond give them water deep enough for them to put their heads all the way in.

2. in the right situation and light yes.

3. mine eat the crumbles. so I'm not sure.

4. Same as chickens except without roosts and of the ground nest boxes. Mine have nest boxes on the floor, they also can make nests on the ground, not in boxes.

5. I think very, but of course some insulation is needed (warm bedding, solid walls, nests boxes)

6. Runners are great layers. My runner girl lays big green eggs, although she stopped laying and hasn't for a few months. weird.. here is the breed comparison from Metzers: http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm?CustID=550946

7. 6 eggs is $3.00 and a whole dozen is $5.00

Runners are wonderful, I love them!

 

[veronicasmom]

Just throwing my two cents into the discussion!

1. Ducks can be kept without swimming water, I guess. IMO, that just does not seem fair though. Especially after you have watched them splashing and playing in it. Kiddie pools are great. Mine has a small birdbath heater in it in the winter which keeps it unfrozen. I also have heated dog bowls for clean drinking water (tho they do drink the icky pool water), and head/eye washing. Keep a board across the middle of the drinking bowl or it becomes a bathtub too. They will make an icy mess around the pool, so bear that in mind when situating it. I just keep some plain sand (no salt or chemicals) and toss some around where I walk daily. Works for me.

2. You can keep them laying year round with lights, but most of mine stop as it gets colder, the runner will lay all year, but for some reason this year her eggs are soft shelled. But she is still laying most days.

3. Mine eat Blue Seal Grower Cal feed (I prefer not to feed my drake layer pellets, but some do). I think I will get some layer pellets tho because of the soft shelled eggs that my Runner, Victoria is laying recently. I also have a bowl of oyster shells for the hens. I mix in some cracked corn in the winter. I also feed fresh veggies daily, and PEAS for treats.

4. They need a shelter that stays dry and allows them to get out of the wind. Also make sure it is predator proof. Especially where they are at dawn, dusk and all night. Just had an incident with a mink, so I am working on this one

5. I have two Runners, a Pekin, a small mutt duck, and two Muscovies. In the past I have had other Runners and Blue Swedes. All have done fine in Southern Maine winters.

6. Runners seem to me to be very prolific layers. Have not had the Muscovies long enough to compare.

7. Can't help with this one, don't sell my eggs, I give them away. (I hate the taste of duck eggs!)

Ducks are sooooo much fun. I really love mine. They really are pretty easy if you take good care of them.

I don't have chickens, but I was told that it doesn't always work out well to house them together. And I can see why. They are way messier than chickens. And I leave feed down all night, so they need water also. Again, makes a mess, but I like them to have feed all night, especially in the winter.
Hope this helped a bit

 

[hossfeathers]

1.)Do all ducks require water to swim in?

No, but they seem to keep cleaner if they can bathe. They are much messier than chickens. Muscovy ducks seem to do better with less water than the mallard breeds.

2.)Do they lay all year like chickens?

Depends on the breed. High quality Khaki Campbells, Ancona, and Silver Appleyards do a good job of matching top chicken production.

3.)Can they eat layer pellets or is it a special grain?

Flock raiser seems to be a well-liked pellet. Watch what sort of medicated feed you use - some varieties don't go well with ducks, although there are safer types now.

4.)What kind of shelter do they need?

Protection from predators and a dry place to sleep out of the wind.

5.)How winter hardy are they?

Err. Down coat? Water-resistant feathers? I mean, they don't come with snow muffs, but with a dry place out of the wind, they reportedly do well.

6.)What breed is best for laying?

Campbells are little laying MACHINES. Runners are a favorite of those who like Runners - me, I'm not a fan of the body shape. (That doesn't mean they don't lay eggs well.) Anacona are reported to do better foraging. I like the Silver Appleyards as they are a better dual purpose breed. The best discussion of the different egg breeds is probably Holderread's "Raising Ducks" for Storey. Also see Deppe's "The Resilient Gardener."

7.)How much do you charge for eggs?

There are people local who charge $4 a half dozen, and have a waiting list.​

 

[tracyork]

I am sad to say we had a terrible massacre here yesterday perpetrated by a stray dog, and I now have 2 empty chicken coops. I have been thinking of trying ducks, so I guess maybe this is my opportunity. I have heard from several people that they are easier and lay better than chickens. Plus being on the PNW coast, we have an endless supply of slugs.

This thread has been very helpful, but I have a couple of follow up questions. it sounds like the roosts and elevated nest boxes are of no use to them. one of my coops has more of an upstairs hen house (steeper ramp entering through a hole in the floor). We kept the upper box pretty small, and so the nest boxes are only a few inches above the ground. The roost would be useless, but I'm wondering if the low nest boxes would work ok for ducks? Also, wondering how they would handle the ramp/entry hole? It sounds like they need an open water bowl instead of the waterers I have used in the past, plus a kiddie pool or something, if i can get it to work (our whole yard is a hill). Also wondering if there is a guideline of sq/ft of coop per duck. The house is fairly small, even more so with the nestboxes down low and the entry hole occupying floor space. From this conversation it sounds like they would just sleep on the floor?

I would appreciate any input.
thanks,

tracy

 

[Amiga]

Tracy,

So sad to hear of your loss. Terrible.

Ducks, I am told, need 30 degree angle on ramps or less (someone correct me if I misremember).

For medium to large breeds Storey's Guide recommends 2.5 to 4 sf per bird for nighttime only, or 6 to 8 sf for continuous shelter during runs of bad weather. For bantam breeds, half that should be okay.

They might use the nest boxes if they're not far above ground. I would consider padding the area with loads of straw - mine use straw as a ramp sometimes.

Once you get accustomed to water management, and have a predator-proof enclosure, especially for night time, you may find them easier than chickens. It really depends on the person and the flock. I love my runners and while they take some time and a little effort, I think they're wonderful.

I agree Carol Deppe's Resilient Gardener writings on her Anconas is worth a read. And I have used Storey's for so much information. This forum is another necessity for helping me with duck issues.

My yard is also hilly. I find a few flat spots for their swim pan, which is about 2'x3'. You could also consider digging out a small relatively flat spot. In fact, having slope is a big advantage for drainage.

 

[dkosh]

Sorry to hear of your loss Tracy.

I think I will definetly be starting ducks this spring. Now I have the fun task of planning and choosing the breed(s).

The Welsh Harlequin appeal to me at the moment. Along with Khaki Campbell and the Cayuga. Any thoughts on those breeds.

I have an area in one of my sheep fields that ponds nicely with an all year water source. Now to plan shelter and nesting area.....The the fun begin.

 

[Oktober]

Quote:
The Welsh Harlequins are also on the top of my list. This thread has been very helpful for me as well.

Let us know how it turns out!

-Okt

 

[grawg]

Welsh Harlequins are also on my list. I have runner and khakis at the moment and I'm very pleased with both of them as far as laying is concerned. My runners were a bit nervous when I first got them and actually calmed down after the khakis were introduced (cant thank DG89 enough for those

). I got the khakis in early November and they have laid nearly every day.

I can't speak from personal experience with cayugas, but from what I've read they are a more seasonal layer and their original purpose was a meat bird. I still want at least one just for the dark eggs and plumage.