What do you think of DUCKS?

[DenverDucky]

I have one pekin duck (non flying breed) and the one thing I have to say is unless your duckling is raised with chickens or chicks it will most likely imprint to you, meaning that it will constantly want you which will make it very difficult to keep outdoors when it gets loud and vocal calling for you. My duck is an indoor pet and since I'm at home she's fine but she wants to be everywhere I am, which isn't for everyone hah. I recommend getting atleast two ducks so you don't end up with a lonely duck!

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I know what you mean. one of our baby ducks hurt her leg (she's a Peking) so she lived in our house for a while away from the other ducks till she was better. I had to bring her in very room with me and she hade to sleep in a box with my hand hanging down by her. I had to reintroduce her to the ducks she use to live with. she's better now but she would freak out when I left her.

 

[rhodeislandred1]

So I have to clip my duck's wings? Is it easy?

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I never clipped my drakes wings but I was told it was not hard. some vets may do it for you.

 

[Going Quackers]

Well, personally i would get two ducks not one, while the chickens will provide company, ducks do have their own quirks and only another duck can participate.

Ducks are water messy, they adore mud that said that are quite hardy, disease resistant, excellent foragers and so forth. The ducks(females) are definitely louder with the only exception being Muscovy, they mostly trill, coo, chirp etc.

Flying varies on the breed, i have two that do, both my calls and my Muscovy, the buffs not sure yet they are just wee ones. i hear varied things on their ability.

I leave my ducks full flight but my Muscovy, free range so i think it's a line of defense and won't remove it that said my drakes once they hit 1yo? nah, they don't anymore, too much bulk.

In a tighter living area, you'll likely want to clip a flighty breed, do you have Storey's guide to ducks? he shows how in it, same as done with say, a budgie.

I would recommend this link on the care of ducklings so you know what your getting into...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Biggest disadvantage of ducks vs chickens? mess, ducks win the prize that said i think they are worth the trouble, i am more ducks here than chickens but it depends some find the work load and differences frustrating and not something they care to do.

and yes, kiddy pools are just fine and actually preferred by me, i can keep them quite clean and have no risk of water predators.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

I had to bring her in very room with me and she hade to sleep in a box with my hand hanging down by her.

Ha, ha! I had to do the same thing with Nemo... put his brooder next to the bed and let my arm hang down. He'd cry if I took it out and would sleep in my hand all night! I was worried he'd be co-dependent for life, but now he lives with his dad and is fine.

 

[rhodeislandred1]

One duck can live on its own, right? Chickens will be her friends.

 

[Amiga]

Ducks seem to really appreciate a duck friend.

 

[Mehjr10]

One will be fine with the chickens better as a pair but one will do ok, you clip the wing or the primary flight feathers on just one wing. You don't cut any tissue.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Chickens CAN be ducks' friends, but it doesn't always work out. Like, ducks need a LOT more water than chickens. They have a lot of differences. It would be best for you to get at least 2 ducks.