How much do ducks cost?

[LilJoe]

Going to save up and get enough money to get ducks. (Maybe) Feed and maintenance wise how much do they cost? Yes, I understand that they require a place to sleep, somewhere to swim, etc.



Edited by Staff

 

[LRH97]

Well it really depends. How many ducks do you want? What type of housing are you offering? If you use a type of litter for the floor of their house/coop, what type will you use? What type of feed will you feed? I can tell you that with about 45 chickens and five ducks, I spend about $60.00 a month on feed alone. Plus, say about $10.00 on litter (I use pine shavings and keep them well-stocked). And say an extra $25.00 dollars on "extra" stuff, whether it be medication or various supplies I need or run out of. Now that's just my entire flock "budget" if you will, to give you an idea. If you only have a few ducks, say three or four, you may only go through two, maybe three bags of feed a month (give or take), and other costs may not be high. Feed prices will depend on brand and type of feed. (I use Nutrena all-flock, but if you get an organic feed, the price can shoot up) Ducks are pretty hardy as well and the only thing I've medicated a duck for was a niacin problem, therefore medication expense will probably be minimal. That being said, I'd say your biggest expenses will most likely be feed, the ducks themselves, and litter for their house, assuming you have housing squared away.

 

[LilJoe]

Well it really depends. How many ducks do you want? What type of housing are you offering? If you use a type of litter for the floor of their house/coop, what type will you use? What type of feed will you feed? I can tell you that with about 45 chickens and five ducks, I spend about $60.00 a month on feed alone. Plus, say about $10.00 on litter (I use pine shavings and keep them well-stocked). And say an extra $25.00 dollars on "extra" stuff, whether it be medication or various supplies I need or run out of. Now that's just my entire flock "budget" if you will, to give you an idea. If you only have a few ducks, say three or four, you may only go through two, maybe three bags of feed a month (give or take), and other costs may not be high. Feed prices will depend on brand and type of feed. (I use Nutrena all-flock, but if you get an organic feed, the price can shoot up) Ducks are pretty hardy as well and the only thing I've medicated a duck for was a niacin problem, therefore medication expense will probably be minimal. That being said, I'd say your biggest expenses will most likely be feed, the ducks themselves, and litter for their house, assuming you have housing squared away.   

I am wanting atleast 3. I don't have housing at the moment, maybe a tractor or gonna build something small. For out chickens we use pine shavings so probably that. I'm not sure what feed but most likely not the real expensive stuff. So, with the 31 chicks I have which they eat about 2-3 bags of food a month then add the cost of the duck's food which they may eat about a bag or two of feed. Then the litter expenses which we use about 4-5 bags of pine chips a month...yeah I'm not adding all that up

 

[LilJoe]

Also, I've read somewhere that you shouldn't let chickens and ducks house or free-range together because ducks are very messy and could make the chickens sick. Which I'm guessing they mean respiratory things. Is that true?

 

[LRH97]

I am wanting atleast 3. I don't have housing at the moment, maybe a tractor or gonna build something small. For out chickens we use pine shavings so probably that. I'm not sure what feed but most likely not the real expensive stuff. So, with the 31 chicks I have which they eat about 2-3 bags of food a month then add the cost of the duck's food which they may eat about a bag or two of feed. Then the litter expenses which we use about 4-5 bags of pine chips a month...yeah I'm not adding all that up

That sounds like a good summary of your expenses. Add it together and see if the price is within your budget.

Also, I've read somewhere that you shouldn't let chickens and ducks house or free-range together because ducks are very messy and could make the chickens sick. Which I'm guessing they mean respiratory things. Is that true?

I actually house my five ducks with my chickens. Eat, drink, forage, they do everything together. It is true that ducks are very messy. Nothing can be closer to the truth. My ducks and chickens even drink out of the same waterer and all I do is take extra care that the water is clean. I've kept a duck in with the chickens since my big Pekin hen lost her flock mates, which was about six years ago. However, I don't brood ducklings and chicks together. They never fail to get water all over the brooder and, if you had chicks with them, could possibly chill them. Plus its just a pain to keep cleaning up. That's why I always opt to hatch ducklings the natural way.

 

[LilJoe]

That sounds like a good summary of your expenses. Add it together and see if the price is within your budget. 

I actually house my five ducks with my chickens. Eat, drink, forage, they do everything together. It is true that ducks are very messy. Nothing can be closer to the truth. My ducks and chickens even drink out of the same waterer and all I do is take extra care that the water is clean. I've kept a duck in with the chickens since my big Pekin hen lost her flock mates, which was about six years ago. However, I don't brood ducklings and chicks together. They never fail to get water all over the brooder and, if you had chicks with them, could possibly chill them. Plus its just a pain to keep cleaning up. That's why I always opt to hatch ducklings the natural way.   

I'm not sure what the prices are though, and thank you for giving me tips on the duck stuff

 

[LRH97]

I'm not sure what the prices are though, and thank you for giving me tips on the duck stuff

Very welcome!

 

[dekel18042]

I'm not sure what the prices are though, and thank you for giving me tips on the duck stuff

My ducks and chickens eat the same food but it does seem the ducks eat a lot less. They're excellent at foraging. However they are a LOT messier than chickens as some have pointed out.
Also, depending on why you want ducks, if you get a breed like khaki campbells they are excellent layers. Some of my chickens are molting and the ducks are outlaying them. The only breed beating them are my California greys and my EE's are tying them.
Your area might be different, but here ducklings are usually $5.00 each. Don't know how much older ducks are.