Wanting Ducks - Never had any poultry or waterfowl before looking for general setup advice

[WillJ95]

Hmm is this the UK version of garden or vegetable garden?

This is a UK garden (US backyard) no vegetables or anything, garden is well established

 

[WillJ95]

Also, your garden is lovely!

Thanks! haha

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

This is a UK garden (US backyard) no vegetables or anything, garden is well established

Then 2 or 3 ducks will be fine. With the rainy climate they will drill a few holes but just keep an eye on it. You will enjoy them. Try to get sexed females if you can. Enjoy the eggs.

 

[WillJ95]

I’ve never seen a plant the ducks don’t want to at least try. If you have flowers/plants that are valuable to you, best to protect them in some way from curious bills. But looks like plenty of space, and I think the shed is perfect for a couple to a few.
Once it rains they find any little spot the water collects and go to town excavating a fun mud puddle. Haha. My 2 decimated their 90sqft run this spring, even with free range time. You might need a “sacrifice area” to keep them in during wetter weather, with supervised turnout, unless your lawn is extremely well established and drains well. not sure if the runners would be less destructive, I have an appleyard and a Swedish.

Maybe in the wet weather i could keep the at the back of the garden? Any idea what i could put down on the concrete to protect their feet?

Thanks!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

What about horse stall mats? They are pricy but would stand up to the weather. I would try just watching them at first. Mine only get obsessive about it when the ground is really saturated. They make like a three inch hole. How if I overflow their pond on to a dirt patch, they will all try to get in the same hole for drilling. As long as your lawn is fairly thick, there shouldn't be too much mess. You could pop them back in the coop on really nasty days.