Will ducks ruin my plants?

[Crazy4Fowl]

We have chickens who constantly kicked up my moms garden and anything else that they know they shouldn't be kicking up. One of the reason we got ducks was because with webbed feet and different natural instincts, they don't scratch, as its called. The duck are still ducklings so we haven't witnessed them ruining anything. Do ducks ruin plants like chickens? Do they eat plants and gardens?

 

[needlessjunk]

We have chickens who constantly kicked up my moms garden and anything else that they know they shouldn't be kicking up. One of the reason we got ducks was because with webbed feet and different natural instincts, they don't scratch, as its called. The duck are still ducklings so we haven't witnessed them ruining anything. Do ducks ruin plants like chickens? Do they eat plants and gardens?

If you care about your garden don't put ducks in it. They eat all different plant but are easier on the ground. I don't let mine in my garden till the season is over and then it takes them a few days to have everything stripped down to nothing.

 

[Crazy4Fowl]

If you care about your garden don't put ducks in it. They eat all different plant but are easier on the ground. I don't let mine in my garden till the season is over and then it takes then a few days to have everything stripped down to nothing.

Wow. That's not good. We will have to keep them out of the garden but at least they won't ruin the ground like chickens.

 

[lina500]

My ducks ate an entire small banana tree recently, it was amazing (horrifying) to watch. I've only found a few plants they won't bother with (mainly citrus and other things with bad tasting leaves). We've had good luck with fencing--it doesn't need to be very tall or sturdy to keep them out.

 

[TLWR]

Ducks trample things.
Ally's favorite places to get comfy is right in the middle of a daylily plant!

 

[beccaWA]

My ducks have free range of my entire acre, which includes lawn, trees, bushes, garden area and some flower beds.

They do eat the slugs out of my flower bed, and will eat the plants they like. As far as the garden, I keep it fenced with that plastic garden fencing. It's not very tall and keeps them out nicely. Ducks will (in my experience) also "aerate" your lawn for you! They can and do dig little holes in the lawn (digging for worms/bugs) up to a few inches deep. It almost exactly resembles the little holes when a lawn is aerated! I don't mind it, but some people might.

They will eat anything they find tasty; all kinds of bugs, plants, flowers. They don't always know what is poisonous or not good for them. One day a styrofoam cup had blown in to my yard. I found the ducks and chickens happily tearing it up and eating it! I need to paint my garage, and the the bottom part is peeling a little. The chickens peck and eat the paint chips! There is a reason for the saying "dumb cluck!"

Hope that gives you an idea. I love having my fowl. They are entertaining and pull their own weight around here with my little egg business.

 

[Crazy4Fowl]

My ducks have free range of my entire acre, which includes lawn, trees, bushes, garden area and some flower beds.

They do eat the slugs out of my flower bed, and will eat the plants they like. As far as the garden, I keep it fenced with that plastic garden fencing. It's not very tall and keeps them out nicely. Ducks will (in my experience) also "aerate" your lawn for you! They can and do dig little holes in the lawn (digging for worms/bugs) up to a few inches deep. It almost exactly resembles the little holes when a lawn is aerated! I don't mind it, but some people might.

They will eat anything they find tasty; all kinds of bugs, plants, flowers. They don't always know what is poisonous or not good for them. One day a styrofoam cup had blown in to my yard. I found the ducks and chickens happily tearing it up and eating it! I need to paint my garage, and the the bottom part is peeling a little. The chickens peck and eat the paint chips! There is a reason for the saying "dumb cluck!"

Hope that gives you an idea. I love having my fowl. They are entertaining and pull their own weight around here with my little egg business.

Yes I love my fowl too!

Thank you everyone for the responses.

 

[CrazyTalk]

If you care about your garden don't put ducks in it. They eat all different plant but are easier on the ground. I don't let mine in my garden till the season is over and then it takes them a few days to have everything stripped down to nothing.

All of this.


Ducks are a mess. They'll eat everything, and turn everythign else into mud.


My ducks are way worse on the ground than my chickens. Chickens scratch - ducks snorkle. Ducks dig holes, spread mud all over everything, etc.