Are Ducks easy to raise??

[Differentiation]

So last month I bought three bantam chickens for the first time. I realised how low maintenance and easy it was to raise chickens. This March I was thinking about hatching ducklings. About three to start with. But I know nothing about raising ducks. What are the best breeds to start with?(preferably a small one). And are ducks very messy???

 

[CarleeAnn]

I’ve heard that it’s hard to hatch duck eggs, but I bought my two at about three days old so maybe take the word of someone experienced with hatching. Not hard at all hard to raise! I am a first time duck owner. They are a little messy because they love water soooo much, but there are ways to make sure they stay clean. I would just make sure you have your set up ready before you buy the ducks- they grow up fast! I had to keep mine inside the brooder longer because their yard was incomplete when it was time for them to go out. Not a big problem, just an annoyance. The smaller the breed the more likely they will fly, I believe the smallest is a call duck, but they will definetly fly unless you clip their wings. I got a Cayuga and Blue Swedish, I was told they are good beginner birds with a mild temperament and medium size. Average egg layers too. Pekins and Muscovies are on the bigger end, a bit messier and Pekins are loud!

 

[chickens really]

Hello...
Calls are fantastic little Ducks...I love mine dearly..Ducks are like feathered puppies all their lives...
Yes, Ducks are messy and then messy again...Lol
They require water deep enough to clean nares and eyes multiple times a day..Bath water to oil up in and water to help swallow feed or they choke...
Duck eggs are a bit trickier to hatch but not impossible...Just more stressful....

 

[Chickiemom25]

Well, I got most of my ducks at about 4 months .. I have muscovies which are quieter but larger than most ducks. One of my hens hatched a clutch a week ago and she seems to be doing great with them. No supplemental feed as she is keeping them at the pond. The rest of the ducks come back to the duck house every night. Simple to keep. I let mine free range and just coop them at night. cuts down on cleaning. I still have to change the pool by the coop frequently and the water in he coop daily.

 

[Homestead1]

Ducks are easy to raise and so rewarding. I have three Pekins (large ducks) they are 24 weeks old and these are the first ducks I have raised. They are very messy but so much fun, they all have their own personalities and are very loyal. I raised them indoors for a while in a brooder and then gradually got them used to going outside. I researched on the internet at different stages and learnt so much about raising ducklings. I wouldn't be without my Pekins they are lovely and make me happy.

 

[Snoozeys]

Ducks are no harder to raise than chickens except a bit more messy ... they do require a constant fresh supply of water as they dehydrate quickly !!!

 

[MrsBlack]

I have call ducks. They are just so much fun and have lovely little traits.

Next door has chickens, I wouldn't say ducks are any harder to manage than the chickens but I would be a bad a person if I didn't back the others up when they say the are messy. They really really are. We use a kiddie pool for them to splash around in and change the water EVERY day. It gets muddy quick and they won't go in it once they've messed it up