Thinking about getting ducks

[L Home Farm]

My chickens have been a disaster. They all have Coryza, and I’ve lost a lot and they don’t lay much, but I’ve decided to keep the ones I have until they die naturally.

Anyway I found out that ducks don’t get Coryza?

So it got me thinking, maybe I could get ducks?

They would be kept separate to the chickens. Maybe with my geese?

But really, I know nothing about ducks. If someone could talk me through keeping ducks it would be so appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I only have ducks so others with chickens or geese may be better at answering some questions for you. But, I am happy to give you my basics. I have had ducks for eggs for the last eight years. I suspect they are similar to geese care. I have lost some to being egg-bound but never disease.

Just like chickens, there are egg breeds (Khaki Campbell’s, Indian Runners, etc.) and meat breeds (Pekin, Rouen, etc.). The egg breeds are usually smaller and produce more eggs per year. You want one drake per 5-6 hens, if you want fertile eggs.

For their housing, they do not like to go up. So, they do not like ramps and do not roost. A low coop is preferred for night, free range during the day.

They love water and mud! Water has to be deep enough for them to submerge their whole bill, preferably their whole head. The water will stay clean for about 3 seconds. It needs to be changed daily. They do best with some sort of pool. Submerging in water keeps them cool, clean, and drowns parasites like mites. But, the pool does not have to be big or deep. Mine seem to prefer horse feed dishes with the water changed daily as it also stays clean about 3 seconds. The dirty water is great for plants and can be poured directly on them. Expect them to make mud around the pools and to drill into it for worms.

In the coop, I keep large dishpans filled with hay for laying boxes. The eggs are huge and yummy!

They love treats of greens, peas, or mealworms and will run to you and eat out of your hand. I believe they are pickier than chickens.

They are fun to watch with their floppy feet and antics. They do not like to be picked up or held. They will however quack to me when they hear my car in the driveway or the back door open.

My neighbor has chickens. She often goes out of town and just leaves them with extra food and water. I have a duck sitter come morning and night to let them out and herd them back in.

What else would you like to know?

 

[Blue Andalusian]

My chickens have been a disaster. They all have Coryza, and I’ve lost a lot and they don’t lay much, but I’ve decided to keep the ones I have until they die naturally.

Anyway I found out that ducks don’t get Coryza?

So it got me thinking, maybe I could get ducks?

They would be kept separate to the chickens. Maybe with my geese?

But really, I know nothing about ducks. If someone could talk me through keeping ducks it would be so appreciated.

Thanks!

Things to keep in mind when getting ducks

1. They are VERY Messy

2. You need 3 Ducks Minimum

3. You either have to have a Equal amount of Males and Females, or more Females then Males

4. Ducks can be with Chickens (If your planning to put them together)

5. They NEED something to swim it (Deepish Kiddie Pool. where they're legs can't touch, a tub. A tank. Anything That works, that they can all swim in. And they're legs don't touch the bottom, preferably a Pond)


If you have anymore Questions you can ask me or probably anyone else on here

 

[KathiQuacks]

So sorry about your chickens.

Seems like you’re right about Coryza. Ducks are pretty resistant to disease and parasites in general. I haven’t given my birds any vaccinations or had any get ill yet.

Ducks can possibly be kept in the same yard / run with your geese. I’m not sure what your geese are like, but it’s recommended they at least have separate coops over night, as geese tend to like having their own space to sleep & nest and can be very territorial otherwise.

For housing, ducks don’t need roosting bars or nesting boxes (maybe with the exception of Muscovy ducks - I hear they like to perch & nest in trees!!). They are perfectly content just having some bedding for their coop floor. I find I have to change out their bedding every 1-2 weeks. I’ve heard there’s some ‘deep litter method’ with chickens, but I’m not sure that works with ducks. Housing materials and sizing are the same, I believe; 4-6 sqft for the coop, 10-15 sqft for the run. With proper protection from the wind and rain, they can withstand well into the negative temperatures.

I recommend around a 1:4 or 1:5 male-to-female ratio. You may need more or less depending on the drake’s (male duck) temperament. Personally, I have a 1:5, and it’s been great for my birds.
Drakes do have their role in the flock, but definitely not as much of a role as roosters do. A good drake will keep watch for predators, lead the group, and let the hens eat first. But, they cannot / will not protect the hens from threats. Ducks are not built for fighting whatsoever.

For feed, most duck, waterfowl, and all-flock feeds work very well. Personally, my ducks get Purina duck feed + some of my geese’s Mazuri waterfowl feed as a treat. The biggest lookout for in a feed is protein content (16-20%) and niacin content (minimum 55 ppm / 25 mg/lb, but larger ducks may need more). They need a deep water dish in order to eat properly, else they will sneeze and choke. They also need it to clean out their nares and eyes. They need grit provided if it’s unavailable in the yard, and extra calcium when laying.
For treats, corn, oats, peas, lettuce, mealworms, minnows, grapes, tomatoes, etc. are good. There’s an old thread here about treats.

Minimum swim time 1-2 days per week, but more is better. My ducks swim every day and love it!
Ducks much prefer to mate in the water, but they will mate on land if necessary. They can be a little crazy about mating, hens on hens, triple stack, etc., but if your ratios are good, there’s little concern.

Like geese, ducks are susceptible to angel wing when young (<16 weeks), but it’s easy to treat, and with good diet & exercise, most likely it won’t even appear. And ample niacin will prevent / help any leg issues.

Yes, there are bantam, light, medium, and heavy-weight ducks, with different appearances, purposes, and general temperaments. Best to keeps ducks of the same or adjacent weight class imo.

My ducks have learned to come when called and climb stairs (took 1 week to learn, and they need railings!). They follow me around, eat from my hand, and don’t mind me being nearby, but.. they still don’t like when I approach them, or try to pick them up. And they can be pretty skittish around new things, people, or experiences. It’s just how they are.. have patience!

Not sure what else to write. Definitely feel free to ask more questions