Which Duck Breed Is Best for Pets?

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

Since there are so many great duck owners here already, I have a few other questions!

Firstly, the ducks will be co-existing with my three wonderful free range rabbits. I don’t think this will be a problem since my bunnies are so used to having weird and wonderful birds coming through our rescue center’s doors, that they have even helped keep larger species chicks (such as hadeda ibis chicks) company when I’m busy. (They snuggle with them and let the babies follow them around as they graze.) And our back yard is MASSIVE, so everyone will have enough space. But if any of you see potential problems with that let me know.

Secondly, we have a very big swimming pool in the back yard that is fenced off, so the ducks wont be able to get into the pool area. But I was wondering if this would make the ducks agitated because they can’t get to the pool? Would it be cruel for them to be able to see the water but not reach it?

And lastly, Many of our neighbors have cats. They are house cats who are domesticated, but they are not kept where they’re supposed to be...in the house! They’re all allowed to roam the neighborhood freely and trespass our yard all the time. My dog does a good job chasing them off and my rabbits chase them away too sometimes, and so does my parrot (I know my pets are weird,) But will they be a threat to the ducks once they are adults?

 

[indianaducks]

Since there are so many great duck owners here already, I have a few other questions!

Firstly, the ducks will be co-existing with my three wonderful free range rabbits. I don’t think this will be a problem since my bunnies are so used to having weird and wonderful birds coming through our rescue center’s doors, that they have even helped keep larger species chicks (such as hadeda ibis chicks) company when I’m busy. (They snuggle with them and let the babies follow them around as they graze.) And our back yard is MASSIVE, so everyone will have enough space. But if any of you see potential problems with that let me know.

Secondly, we have a very big swimming pool in the back yard that is fenced off, so the ducks wont be able to get into the pool area. But I was wondering if this would make the ducks agitated because they can’t get to the pool? Would it be cruel for them to be able to see the water but not reach it?

And lastly, Many of our neighbors have cats. They are house cats who are domesticated, but they are not kept where they’re supposed to be...in the house! They’re all allowed to roam the neighborhood freely and trespass our yard all the time. My dog does a good job chasing them off and my rabbits chase them away too sometimes, and so does my parrot (I know my pets are weird,) But will they be a threat to the ducks once they are adults?

I just had some loose dogs attack my ducks. So I imagine a cat would be interested as well?

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

Oh no! I’m so sorry! Are they okay??

I just had some loose dogs attack my ducks. So I imagine a cat would be interested as well?

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

The reason I ask about the cats is because they really are cowards. They never dare bother my rabbits (not even my 8 year old dwarf rabbit who is deaf) and they never go near my female eclectus parrot. So not sure if they would be interested in a much bigger bird like a pekin

 

[indianaducks]

Oh no! I’m so sorry! Are they okay??

One is still recovering.

 

[Zen Wildlife Rescuer]

One is still recovering.

All the best with her!

 

[SolarDuck]

Yes cats definitely can be a threat to ducks, there is one that roams my area and I often see it trying to hunt the ducks at my local park at night time. I've never seen it actually catch one, but if they don't have a pond to swim away on it will be a lot easier for a cat to catch yours.

 

[CoriM]

If you choose pekins make sure that you have some liquid vitamin B complex on hand to administer right away if you see them start walking less - splay leg or pigeon toes. I read the books, attended a class, and my ducklings were pretty much my babies, spending two months in my kitchen in a wading pool. I still didn't realize that pekins often need extra niacin above and beyond what regular ducks get - this is because they are bred to put on weight quickly and be harvested at 8 weeks old, so their legs sometimes can't keep up. Even though I was adding Brewer's yeast to my duck food, I still had one develop splay leg - which we were able to reverse thankfully!! - and one that is still slightly pigeon-toed, although it doesn't inhibit her walking at all. Just be on the look out for signs of that while they're growing. There's a very informative thread about niacin deficiency at the top of the forum.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Niacin Deficiency in Waterfowl

This article has been so helpful to me and many others. I'd advise you to read this first and foremost. It's full of information that will help you keep your ducks as healthy as possible. I believe this is the one @CoriM is referring to. I've spoken with @CoriM many times and she's very knowledgeable. Her advice is worth it's weight in gold. I have a Pekin Duck and a Pekin Drake. My Pekin Drake hatched with a foot deformity and after some amazing help from folks here, I was able to get him walking on the bottom of his foot instead of his ankle joint. He was gifted to me at one week old and I'm not sure how this was missed for that entire week (purchased from TSC) but I'm grateful he is walking around at going on 2 years old. My Pekin duck is my forever patient. Suffering from bumblefoot off and on for 8 months caused some bone erosion. In an effort to keep her foot abrasion free, I have to bandaged her foot every day. Otherwise we'll be right back to bumblefoot. That's a risk with these big ol fluffy butts and it's something that will need to stay on the top of your mind. Doing weekly foot checks and just being aware beforehand will certainly help. Pekins are the sweetest and absolutely gorgeous, but it's heartbreaking watching them suffer. As much as I LOVE my Honey Boo Boo, I'm not so sure I'd recommend the breed.
Everything I've read and watched about Runners makes me want some. I will add some Runner ducks to my flock and can't wait to do that. I am so excited to have them!
I had a Mallard Drake and he was AMAZING! Hands down my favorite Drake after my Pekin. He was enjoyable and tolerated being loved on. I don't know many ducks that actually enjoy cuddles, but I'm sure that some do. My ducks don't. They love it whenever I come out and sit next to them or look for worms or whatever with them. That's one thing that has strengthened my bond with my ducks the most. Whenever they went through their "teenage months" and thought that humans were evil and only wanted to hurt them, I thought about how miserable all of us were. Once I found out that most flocks of ducks go through this, I decided to be patient and sure enough, it was just a phase. It was kind of like a baby around 9 months old going through the "stranger danger" phase but I was the stranger to these cuties that I've been taking care of for months.
So I've rambled enough and I apologize for that. I hope I shared something that was helpful in some way.

 

[CoriM]

@HeatherKellyB Wow, that is so sad that no one noticed your pekin's foot the first week of its life. How amazing that you were able to rehabilitate him!!

Your sentiments about Pekins are mine as well. I just love mine, and they are gorgeous, but it's hard to see them suffer. I'm also going on 8 months wrapping a duck foot almost everyday. She's been through all the bumble foot treatment, been to the vet, and even though she doesn't have an active infection, her bumble has led to some calcification in the foot pad and it's enlarged and causes her to limp. I try to limit her walking and do everything possible for her foot, while still making sure she gets to forage and swim and do the things that make her happy. She's a big girl at 11.5 pounds, and sometimes I think the size just makes things like bumble much harder on Pekins. I'm sorry you're still dealing with Honey BooBoo's foot! Runners would be fun - my neighbor has some and they are so cute. I am very tempted to more ducklings, but I don't know how many years I can keep up this level of work