Working Ducks and Duck Minimum Wage and Tips

[SignoraBel]

(Originally posted in BYC's intro, guided to repost it here)

Hello all,

I am in the planning stages to build our first flock (lady hens and ducks -1 drake Cayuga, 2 lady Cayugas, and 3 lady Runners). I have designed a chicken coop and run based on sand as litter for the girls and now I am turning my attention to the ducks. In a perfect world of my own, these would be working ducks. I want to build their own den, or coop, or whatever we wish to call it and a pond over a bed of layers: 1- larger gravel 2- smaller gravel 3- sand with some sweet PDZ added in the den area 4- light coating of small mulch to help develop a deep litter method.

I am also planning the entrance of their den to take them into my food production garden (which will be fenced in with a mind to protect my feathered labor force from predators,... who might drop flyers and get them to unionize) ...A bit of permaculture, and a bit of "I just hate bugs"... So the goal is that they work on cleaning the garden area for me. Now, I am aware that they might think my peas are tasty. Hence, I do plan some soft mesh separations around my raised beds, at least until plants like the corn can be left to snack on.

My imagination is seeing a successful mutually beneficial relationship (yes, I am ignoring how "playful"...shall we call it that?...ducks can be). So the question? Here we go.... I would like to know if you experienced duck job providers have suggestions to make sure this is closer to a working system and less like a dream bubble that will pop as soon as they ask me for a raise...or eat my plant, ...or revolt.

Wages and tips: No rent or utilities, good food, and treats...and I intend to hug them a lot which is why I am not bringing in peahens since I hear they can make a real case out of things.... everybody is a lawyer these days. I should stipulate in the contract that hugging is NOT harassment. lol

Excuse my style for putting things, but I am so old that if I can't make things a bit funny my wrinkles get too alarming... I need the anti-gravity giggle boots. lol

Opened to suggestions like a sunny day is opened to long walks And Thank You!!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

Sounds pretty much like the arrangement here. My ducks are my garden helpers, and do a wonderful job as long as I stay within their contract limitations - don't offer anything too tempting if I don't want it eaten, no entrapment (unfenced areas that should be off limits), regular, healthy treats, proper attention, occasional hugs but only if initiated by the duck, fresh water daily, good food, healthy treats, reasonable bedding, protection from the overly amorous drake from time to time, healthy treats, and a security system.

They eat loads of slugs, like to eat grubs, Japanese beetles, and squash bugs. Won't eat anything red.

Their poop is a fantastic fertilizer. They are natural antidepressants. Love'em.

At 3 months of age.

 

[SignoraBel]

They are adorable... You cracked me up with the initiated by comment lol

 

[jenniemig]

You need to start a blog about your adventure with your ducks! I love your humor and style of writing

 

[SignoraBel]

lol Ty. I have. Let me know what you think Seems all the rocks I am bound to trip on might help others laugh and avoid them

I call it the sisterhood of the egg laying kind You might be able to find it in a search (rules against posting actual links)

PM me for more if you'd like.

 

[laughingdog]

So good I'm bumping! Good luck with them, they are my two fave types of mallard breeds (at least till see how my KCs turn out).