Everything You Need To Know On How To Raise Happy Ducks!
If ducks are as messy as everyone says they are, why in the world would anyone want to keep them?
'Cause let me tell you, friend, keeping ducks will be one of your most cherished memories for years to come!
They are wonderful animals, and in my opinion, everyone should own a duck at least once in their lives. They have brought us so much joy, entertainment, and other advantages.
Scroll down to learn all you need to know about how to raise happy, healthy ducks in your own backyard.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Why we keep ducks
Ducks are pretty hardy, easy to care for, don't generally struggle with viruses or diseases, get along well with other flock species, are inexpensive, and make great friends and pets! And this is why we love them!
Ducks are very intelligent and emotional creatures and can even understand commands. They will play with toys, play games, beg for snuggles, and give kisses if you take the time to work with and tame them.
If you handle them frequently from an early age, ducks will become sociable with people and be like true pets.
Ducks are also excellent pest controllers, and they will help a lot in keeping your garden and grounds weed-, pest-, and bug-free.
Nothing is too messy or too challenging for a duck. They will devour a slug effortlessly and chase down any unwanted creepy crawlies! Ducks love grasshoppers and flies, too, which other fowl can't keep up with.
what are the best backyard ducks?
Many duck breeds are suitable for backyard flocks. Here are some popular and recommended backyard duck breeds:
Pekin
Pekins are some of the best backyard ducks to keep, as they are docile and easy to care for. They are entirely white and lay a large number of white eggs. They grow quickly, are calm, curious, and have very enjoyable personalities. We have had many over the years and love them very much!
Runner
These ducks are known for their upright posture and are excellent egg layers, often producing over 200 eggs per year. They come in a variety of colors and are great foragers and pest controllers. We are getting some runner ducks in April and look forward to letting them forage around our garden and keep pests down.
Khaki Campbell
This breed is known for its high egg production, with some hens laying up to 300 beautiful cream-colored eggs yearly. They are also good foragers and have calm and friendly personalities.
Buff Orpington
These ducks are a beautiful golden color known for their friendly and docile nature. They are actually a rare breed and listed as threatened. They lay about 3 -5 eggs per week.
Cayuga
Cayugas are beautiful with black feathers reflecting green in certain light. Their eggs are also black, how fun! They produce about three to four eggs per week during the laying season. They have a calm personalities.
Rouen
Their calm and friendly personalities make them great as pets, and they lay about 3-5 bluish-tinted eggs per week.
White Call
White Calls are petite and have a playful attitude and calm temperament, making them very popular as backyard ducks. However, they have a loud call, so may not be ideal if you have close neighbors.
Muscovy
Although technically not a duck, Muscovy ducks are often kept in backyard flocks since they do not quack. Instead, they make breathing sounds and coos. They are also docile and make excellent mothers.
Mallard
Mallards are very common and smaller compared to other duck breeds. Although they are common and pretty, their small size makes it easier for them to fly away, so their wings must be clipped. They also have some of the lowest egg-laying rates, laying only a few eggs weekly. They also don't tolerate confinement very well. So consider these factors in making your choices.
These are just a few of the many duck breeds suitable for backyard flocks. When choosing a breed, it's important to consider factors such as temperament, egg production, and personal preferences and needs.
how many ducks should I get?
The number of ducks you should keep is mostly up to you. Still, several factors need to be considered, including available space, your ability to care for them, time, effort, financial means, and your reason for keeping them.
ducks need their tribe
Ducks are generally social animals, so for backyard pets, keeping at least three (ideally 5-6) is recommended so they can keep each other company. The ideal group will be either all 3 hens or drakes or 4 - 5 hens for 1 drake (male duck). A group of all drakes can get rowdy at times so all hens are recommended the most.
Your reason for keeping them
Do you want ducks for their eggs, for pest control, to simply enjoy as pets, to breed with, or for meat? This will influence your decision.
If you want some eggs from the ducks, 4-5 duck hens will give you around 4-5 eggs per week during the laying season. And no need to worry; you don't need a drake for the hens to produce eggs, only to fertilize them if you want to continue breeding.
How much space and resources do you have?
You need, on average, between 4 and 6 square feet in the coop and around 16 square feet of outdoor space per duck.
A large flock will require much more feed, space, time, and effort to look after them.
I would advise starting small and increasing the number of ducks as you gain experience and a better understanding of their needs.
LITTLE DUCKLINGS ARE JUST THE SWEETEST THING EVER!
Duck feed requirements
Unlike chickens, ducks mostly leave out your vegetables (except for lettuce greens and strawberries, so watch out!).
Ducks love to forage, making it often cheaper to keep them. But you should still supplement their foraging and feed them unmedicated chicken feed.
Feed according to age
For the first two weeks, feed ducklings a non-medicated duck or chicken starter, a special ration for young birds. Please be sure the feed is not medicated. It can be toxic to them with as much as they consume feed.
For weeks 3-12 they should be fed duck grower, which is optimal for growth and development.
From week 12, your ducks can eat standard pellet maintenance feed or chicken feed.
Other supplements
It's essential that ducks have access to grit to help grind up food in their gizzards.
Ducks need a steady supply of niacin (vitamin B3), an essential nutrient for bone development, growth, and overall health. Since ducks need more niacin than chickens, you must supplement the chicken feed with niacin.
Ducklings need about 10mg and adult ducks about 12.5 mg per day. Sources of niacin include brewers yeast, peas, and wheat bran. I order brewers yeast on amazon and it’s easy. You can get some HERE
Ducks drink plenty of water, and it should always be provided near the feed so they can flush their food down. Waterers should be cleaned 2-3 times per week to avoid the building up of bacteria and diseases. For water you must provide a bucket or something that allows them to fully submerge their bill under. This is the only way they can clean their nostrils.
READ MORE: What to feed ducklings and ducks - a complete nutritional guide
do ducks need a pond?
Ducks don't need a huge pond, but they at least need a small pool or bowls where they can submerge their head in. This helps to keep the mucous membranes moist and clean.
However, if you can provide them with a pond or small pool, it would be ideal! It will allow them to bathe in it, which helps them keep clean and clear from parasites and mites and keeps their feathers healthy.
Water also activates their oil glands which are essential in helping them to swim and protecting them from rain and cold.
Remember that ducks are pretty messy, so you will need to check and refill water in bowls and mini pools daily. For this reason, we also recommend sticking to a small flock to make it more manageable for you.
Do ducks need shelter?
Ducks need minimal shelter to sleep at night. Still, an enclosed run with protection and shade against the elements (cold winters and hot summers) would be great.
They also are easy targets for predators since domestic ducks move very slowly on the ground and can't fly if you clip their wings. So ensure the areas where they roam and sleep are safe and enclosed. A fence at least three feet high will do, but higher is always better.
If you already have a chicken coop, everyone can be kept together in the same coop at night, provided there is enough room.
Ducks don't roost and will be happy sleeping on soft straw or wood shavings on the coop floor.
do ducks need a nesting box?
Ducks do not necessarily need a nesting box to lay eggs, but providing one can help encourage them to lay eggs in a specific location, making it easier for you to collect the eggs. At least, this is what we wish for!
Ducks often create a nest in a secluded area, such as under a bush or in tall grass. And it may differ every single time. So I advise you to keep an eye on your ducks and their habits to ensure that you find all their eggs.
However, if you want to provide a nesting box, it should be at ground level, with dimensions of approximately 14-16 inches wide, 14-16 inches tall, and 24-36 inches deep. The box should also have a slight slope to the floor to help keep eggs in place.
When providing a nesting box, fill it with clean, dry bedding, such as straw or wood shavings.
Ducks also appreciate a privacy screen to give them a sense of security when nesting (hence them laying eggs in all kinds of weird places!)
when do ducks start to lay eggs?
Ducks generally start to lay eggs between 4 and 7 months old, depending on the breed and environmental factors such as lighting and temperature.
Some smaller breeds, such as bantams and Runners, may start laying as early as 4 months old, while other breeds, such as Pekin ducks, may start closer to 6-7 months old.
Factors influencing egg laying:
The time of year can influence when ducks start laying eggs. Ducks are seasonal layers and tend to lay more eggs in the spring and summer months when the days are longer.
The amount of daylight is essential in triggering egg production, so providing adequate lighting in the duck coop during the fall and winter months is important to encourage egg production. Some breeds, such as Khaki Campbells, lay eggs all year, no matter the time.
It's also important to note that stress, illness, and environmental changes can affect a duck's egg-laying behavior.
If your ducks are not laying eggs, ensure they have access to a clean and comfortable living environment, a well-balanced diet, and adequate lighting. If you have concerns about their egg-laying behavior or overall health, consult a vet with poultry experience.
how to keep ducks from flying away
Keeping ducks from flying away requires a combination of proper care, training, and physical measures to prevent flight. Here are some tips:
Provide proper care
Ducks are less likely to fly away if they are well-fed, adequately hydrated, and have a safe and comfortable living environment. Make sure they have access to fresh water and food at all times.
Train them to return
Train your ducks to return to their enclosure by calling them with a specific sound or using treats. Repeat this training regularly so that they learn to associate the sound or treat with returning home.
Clip their wings
Clipping the primary feathers on one wing can prevent ducks from flying away. Don't worry, this does not cause permanent harm or hurt them. It simply prevents the duck from getting lift on one side of its body. Be sure to only clip the primary feathers and not the secondary feathers.
Use fencing
Fencing can be used to prevent ducks from flying away. Ensure the fence is at least 3 feet high and extends 1 foot underground to prevent the ducks from digging under it. Also, ensure the fence is secure and has no gaps that ducks can escape through.
Supervise them
If you allow your ducks to roam freely, supervise them however best you can to prevent them from flying away. Keep an eye on them and make sure they stay within the designated area.
It's important to note that some breeds of ducks are more prone to flying than others. If you're considering getting ducks and don't have a huge yard where they can roam freely, research to find a breed that is less likely to fly away.
Common duck diseases to look out for
Ducks are pretty hardy and don't often struggle with parasites, viruses, or diseases. However, you need to look out for a few common duck diseases. Some of these include:
Aspergillosis
This is caused by mold spores in wet feed or bedding. Signs of infection include difficulty breathing and coughing, tail bobbing, lethargy, listlessness, and losing weight.
Botulism
Botulism is caused by bacteria found in stagnant water. Symptoms include sitting or lying on the ground, hunched over, and unable to stand. They are floppy and weak and cannot hold their heads up.
Bumblefoot
A staphylococcus infection caused by a cut, hard landing or splinter. Bumblefoot will cause a black scab on the bottom of the foot. Ducks will be reluctant to walk and limp.
"Hardware" disease
Not really a disease but poisoning from eating shiny things, including screws, bolts, spare change, wire, staples, or pieces of metal.
Niacin Deficiency
A lack of niacin in their diet can cause bowed legs and/or enlarged hock joints. If left untreated, ducks will ultimately become so crippled and weak that they cannot walk.
Wet feather
A condition where their preen gland, keeping their feathers well-oiled and waterproofed, stops working. This usually happens due to unsanitary conditions and a lack of regular water access.
can you raise ducks with chickens?
Yes, you absolutely can raise ducks with chickens! We have a mixed flock, and they all live in perfect harmony.
The most critical factors are ensuring everyone has enough space in the coop and run and enough free-range time. This way, they will all be happy and escape a heated situation if need be!
Most birds in a mixed flock, like chickens, ducks, and turkeys, generally eat similar things, which makes it a bit easier!
Another important thing to note is the male-to-female ratio. If there are not enough females to males, there will be over-breeding, cross-breeding, and more squabbling issues.
I would also advise having a rooster, drake (male duck), and a tom (male turkey) so each can keep themselves busy with their own kind ;-)
OUR MIXED FLOCK - WE EVEN GOT GUINEA FOWLS IN THERE TOO NOW!
Chickens or ducks - which is right for my farm?
A big thank you to my friend Angela for making this amazing graphic
Phew, what a mouthful of info! Although it may seem like a lot and overwhelming, I assure you friend, it is not. If you start with 3-4 ducks and get into the rhythm of caring for them, they will be a breeze to look after!
And if you start with ducklings, I promise you it is such a lovely experience caring for such precious little things.
Just remember they will grow up, and although that initial cuteness overload may fade away, they will still be lovable animals when they are grown up and bring you endless joy!
If you are interested in getting ducklings, check out these blogs:
The difference between raising chicks and ducklings
Love, Annette xx