What do I need for free range ducks?

[chanceosunshine]

My daughter-in-law has two male ducks that she needs to rehome. We have a small pond here and said that we would take them but I have no idea what they will need besides the water? I'd like them to just do their ducky thing since we're not really raising them for any other reason than that they need a home. So, what kind of housing and food do free range ducks need? And will two male ducks be happy without girl ducks around?

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I'm sure someone with more experience will post a more thorough and better response, but until then I'll put down a few things.

It depends on the two males. They could fight, or they might not, mostly at mating season when hormones are high. I have a couple of drakes in my flock and they get along without a problem, but they have a ton of space to roam so they can get away from each other. You may have to separate if they do start to fight. If you ever do want to get females, 2 to 3 females per male is ideal for no fighting/over mating.

You'll want a coop to house them in, too, at night. There are many good threads on here that exchange ideas. They like to be on the ground so perches aren't really needed.

You need a good all-flock feed for ducks, NOT layer feed as that has too much calcium and can cause leg problems in males. Free range ducks also don't need grit since they naturally get dirt from their foraging.

I'll just put those basics for now, hope I was a little helpful.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well a secure house so predators don't dine on them. Feed like an all flock feed keep feed and water at their house so they come home to eat makes it easier to get them up for the night. And makes it even easier if you put the house inside an small enclosure so when they go into eat you can close the gate and herd them inside for the night. I'd also check for snapping turtles before putting them out on your pond they are also predators and can bite big chunks out of ducks even take off feet. On you tube someone shared a snapping turtle drowning an adult duck. Just saying predators are every where. Drakes can do fine with out females.

 

[chanceosunshine]

Thank you both. I appreciate the info! I guess I have another building project. How much space per duck is recommended?

I've been feeding the chickens all-flock for the higher protein, so that's a plus.

Miss Lydia, when you say "herd" them inside at night, does that mean they don't go on their own like chickens do?

I'll keep my eyes open for snapping turtles. I haven't seen any in our pond but there are some huge ones in the vicinity.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They can be taught by doing the same thing every night. To herd you just walk slowly behind them with either your arms open or use a broom handle main thing is to go slowly. And a nice treat of mealworms or dog kibble once they get to their house will even make training easier. Just make sure anytime they eat they have a big bowl or bucket of water. You don’t have to put this inside either, feed and water outside and put up over night to discourage predators.

2-6square ft of floor space depending on breed. Type in Duck houses in the search and you'll find quite a few to get ideas from fancy to pallet built.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/ducks.30/?page=2

 

[chanceosunshine]

They can be taught by doing the same thing every night. To herd you just walk slowly behind them with either your arms open or use a broom handle main thing is to go slowly. And a nice treat of mealworms or dog kibble once they get to their house will even make training easier. Just make sure anytime they eat they have a big bowl or bucket of water. You don’t have to put this inside either, feed and water outside and put up over night to discourage predators.

2-6square ft of floor space depending on breed. Type in Duck houses in the search and you'll find quite a few to get ideas from fancy to pallet built.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/ducks.30/?page=2

Great! Thank you!

ETA: I believe they are Khaki Cambell ducks.