Keeping ducks out of the garden

[JoyAnna]

When I decided to get ducks, besides the idea of those wonderful eggs, I thought they would 'earn their keep' in my veggie gardens. You know, all those slugs here in the PNW, etc. So I brought home four Khaki Campbell ducklings. Changed my life forever

We made it through the in-house brooding time and they now live in their coop and (too small) pen, but they get to graze in the yards as much as possible. Then one day they discovered all the dandelions out in the driveway out to the street, so now they can only be out of pen if I can be out there with them. I have just assembled all the material to get the front fenced off so they will be safer, but now I see that they love, not only the dandelions, but also the lettuce, kale, etc. growing in my raised beds. There is more wonderful grazing in the back of the house, BUT I have about a dozen young blueberry bushes in full bloom so I have to keep them out of that side. My question is: will a two-foot tall fence be enough to keep them out of the places where they can be destructive? I have four-foot heavy plastic fencing for the front and had to buy a lot more than needed for that, so was thinking of cutting it in half to place around any of the places where they can be destructive. That way, I can easily step over the fence without the need of gates, etc. I've never been around ducks before, and I have now concluded that everyone should have ducks: they just make you smile!

 

[gottsegnet]

My guess is yes, that would be enough. I don't have Khaki Campbells, but I do have Welsh Harlequins which are descended from them so I'm guessing they are very similar in habits.

Mine have never tried to fly. Sometimes if they get scared, they'll flap their wings while they run as if it makes them go faster or something, but they never leave the ground. They can jump into a kiddie pool for a swim, but I've never seen them jump anything bigger than that, and they only go over that because they really want in the water.

That's no guarantee, but try it and see if it works. Or you could try a tractor, but I haven't had much luck with those. It seems that most of my losses have been while birds were trapped in a tractor and couldn't escape.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

When I decided to get ducks, besides the idea of those wonderful eggs, I thought they would 'earn their keep' in my veggie gardens. You know, all those slugs here in the PNW, etc. So I brought home four Khaki Campbell ducklings. Changed my life forever

We made it through the in-house brooding time and they now live in their coop and (too small) pen, but they get to graze in the yards as much as possible. Then one day they discovered all the dandelions out in the driveway out to the street, so now they can only be out of pen if I can be out there with them. I have just assembled all the material to get the front fenced off so they will be safer, but now I see that they love, not only the dandelions, but also the lettuce, kale, etc. growing in my raised beds. There is more wonderful grazing in the back of the house, BUT I have about a dozen young blueberry bushes in full bloom so I have to keep them out of that side. My question is: will a two-foot tall fence be enough to keep them out of the places where they can be destructive? I have four-foot heavy plastic fencing for the front and had to buy a lot more than needed for that, so was thinking of cutting it in half to place around any of the places where they can be destructive. That way, I can easily step over the fence without the need of gates, etc. I've never been around ducks before, and I have now concluded that everyone should have ducks: they just make you smile!

The two foot fence should probably be fine for KC's. A little higher might be better because they can stretch about two feet tall when they really try. But if that's what you have, it'll work.

I like the moveable poultry netting fences, but they're pricey.

I grew up with a Joyanna and I'm also in the NW. Great name, fairly uncommon.

 

[Going Quackers]

I have a small ornamental pond out the front of my house, it has Koi/Goldfish obviously i don't want the duckies in it, i just used a simple wire garden fence..( yes, the short small ones)

They just leave it alone now, my girls can fly but see the fence as a 'no' and not worth the hassle to navigate ... My veggie garden has asparagus i have tied it off with binder twine the 'duck tape' of the farm LOL and they stay out of it too. Of coarse they have acres of there own to wander upon so these small restricted areas don't seem to be a huge concern to be restricted from.

 

[JoyAnna]

My guess is yes, that would be enough. I don't have Khaki Campbells, but I do have Welsh Harlequins which are descended from them so I'm guessing they are very similar in habits.

Mine have never tried to fly. Sometimes if they get scared, they'll flap their wings while they run as if it makes them go faster or something, but they never leave the ground. They can jump into a kiddie pool for a swim, but I've never seen them jump anything bigger than that, and they only go over that because they really want in the water.

That's no guarantee, but try it and see if it works. Or you could try a tractor, but I haven't had much luck with those. It seems that most of my losses have been while birds were trapped in a tractor and couldn't escape.

Thanks. I don't worry about them flying, although at just 9 weeks, they love to run flapping wings vigorously, but that is simply shear exuberance and joy at being out of the pen. Since I use raised beds, the idea of the tractor has never appealed. Besides, I want them to have as much freedom as possible both because they love it so, and all that grazing helps keep feed costs down.

 

[JoyAnna]

The two foot fence should probably be fine for KC's. A little higher might be better because they can stretch about two feet tall when they really try. But if that's what you have, it'll work.

I like the moveable poultry netting fences, but they're pricey.

I grew up with a Joyanna and I'm also in the NW. Great name, fairly uncommon.

Wow! I don't find many with my name. And I wonder where you are located. I am up close tot he border near Sumas.

You mention the very thing that has concerned me: that they can stretch up about two feet. So I figure if I can keep the fence a slight distance from the plants it should work. What is the 'movable poultry netting fence'? Sounds like what I am trying to create.

 

[JoyAnna]

I have a small ornamental pond out the front of my house, it has Koi/Goldfish obviously i don't want the duckies in it, i just used a simple wire garden fence..( yes, the short small ones)

They just leave it alone now, my girls can fly but see the fence as a 'no' and not worth the hassle to navigate ... My veggie garden has asparagus i have tied it off with binder twine the 'duck tape' of the farm LOL and they stay out of it too. Of coarse they have acres of there own to wander upon so these small restricted areas don't seem to be a huge concern to be restricted from.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have only about a third-acre, but after I get the street/driveway fenced off they will have a large area of natural woods to explore and forage. That fence will also keep any stray dogs out. (Of course they are secure in the coop and pen at night.) This is all so new to me, but I enjoy the process of learning their ways, and solving the conflicts with MY ways.

What is binder twine?

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

Wow! I don't find many with my name. And I wonder where you are located. I am up close tot he border near Sumas.

You mention the very thing that has concerned me: that they can stretch up about two feet. So I figure if I can keep the fence a slight distance from the plants it should work. What is the 'movable poultry netting fence'? Sounds like what I am trying to create.

I am in Port Orchard. My childhood friend lives in Renton.

Here's a link to what we use on the farm I work at: http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=24022