What to do?

[Orca5094]

Welcome to BYC!

Ducks need a secure run (with wire over top yes, to protect from aerial predators and climbers) and a secure house to go into at night. Predators will take ducks that aren't properly secured SO fast.

I think you'll be fine with just two ducks, the problem with ducks is having too many drakes to too few females (example: 3 drakes to 1 female would be a very bad situation for the female). Just keep an eye on him during breeding seasons that he isn't getting too rough with your other duck (provided she is a female; if you can post a video of them both "talking" we can sex them for you so you know what you have). Two boys together is fine, two girls is fine, a male and female together is also probably fine as well. More females is always best, but some drakes aren't as aggressive as others and will be fine and happy with just one female.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[Duckworth]

Ducks really need protection from predators even more than chickens because domestic ducks, especially large breeds like pekins, cannot fly meaningfully to escape predators. The term “sitting duck” isn’t an accident. Ducks do not roost or perch. So having a secure enclosure, particularly at night, is the only way they can get any rest.

Raccoons are an especially crafty danger to ducks and can climb and open any enclosure not adequately secured. I know this from experience with losses from a run I thought was secure. Now I know it is. Wire needs to be strong and of a tight enough mesh that a raccoon cannot reach through and grab a sleeping duck. Raccoons have killed many ducks that they cannot actually get out of the enclosure to eat, but the duck is lost all the same. If you have any raccoons in your area, whether or not you have seen them on your property, protect your ducks. Opossums can be a similar danger, though not as crafty, and they also climb. Birds of prey like hawks are a danger by day and owls can take ducks by night, so wire sufficient to prevent climbers and fliers is an important cover for your duck enclosure. You will also need to take precautions against diggers.

Ducks prefer to sleep and nest at ground level. A duck house needs no roosts, perches, or nesting boxes. Something resembling a dog house will work just fine. For large ducks, I would go with four square feet per duck. Having one side able to be opened wide will make cleaning easier. Many of us do not put food or water inside our duck houses to minimize the mess. I use straw for bedding inside the house and just keep adding more until it is about a foot deep before I clean it out and put it on my garden. Duck poop does not have to be composted first and part of the point of just adding straw is to allow things to start composting in place. Ventilation is very important as is shelter from wind, so include lots of ventilation on the upper sides of the house, preferably on sides that are not windward during your area’s storms. I cover my north windows in winter, leaving the others open for ventilation. If your run is secure, you do not have to close your ducks in their house at night, but if you have doubts, they should be inside by dusk.

Randy drakes have been known to attempt to mate with chicken hens. Given the drake’s anatomy, this can be damaging or fatal to the chicken, so keeping your drake separated from your hens, especially as he is reaching sexual maturity and during prime mating season is a very good idea. Drakes can be rough with duck hens, but at least they are designed to accommodate the drake’s anatomy.

We have an active Ducks forum here, so feel free to ask all of your questions there and you will undoubtedly get responses. Welcome!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Yes your ducks should be separated from your chicken for all of the reasons given by others. They will need a covered pen for predator protection. Just a pair may work or the duck hen may be overmated - that all depends upon the temperament of the drake involved. Good luck with your flocks.