by Carol Dunn

Created on: January 05, 2011

Tips for Keeping Ducks as Pets

If you’ve never raised ducks, prepare yourself for the experience before you get ducklings or before someone gives you full grown ducks.  Ducks are social, so if you decide you want to raise ducks, be sure to have at least two.  Research duck species and determine which type(s) are best for your location.  Ideal Poultry and McMurray Hatchery are two large hatcheries with elaborate web sites that show each species and its description.

Ducks are entertaining birds, with mannerisms unlike any other barnyard animal.  They waddle; they quack; they exercise their wings; they chase other animals, even dogs, when they feel threatened.  Although they may not be as snuggly as a puppy, they are lots of fun, and kids love them.  But ducks are some of the messiest pets you will own. 

They constantly crave water, whether they are swimming in it or “gumming” through it to find food.  They bring the water into their bill, swish it around, then spit it back into the container, along with anything else that was in the mouth at the time.  When they aren’t resting in the sun, they are scrounging for food in this manner.  Any dish, poultry fountain or mud puddle will do.  And though they need fresh water for drinking, it takes little time for them to muddy up any pool you might provide for them to swim.  For instance, they do not leave the water to defecate, which is a runny stool similar to that of geese.  Their pool may need to be dumped and refilled a couple times a day, especially on a hot summer day.

Since ducks will soil the water in a poultry fountain until it is undrinkable by chickens or turkeys, it is unwise to house ducks with other poultry.  They will also chase other poultry away from the food container.

The duck pen should provide about ten square feet for each duck.  It should have a layer of bedding to absorb droppings and needs to be replaced as necessary to keep the floor dry.  Ducks roost on the ground, and they prefer to huddle together in a nest under an overhang or in a darkened corner of the barn or pen.  Although most kids’ stories show ducks enjoying rain and mud puddles, domestic ducks need shelter from storms and a place to get out of the cold.  If predators are a danger to your ducks, make sure all openings in the shelter are covered by chicken wire, leaving no opening larger than the width of two fingers.   

Most duck owners feed their flock a high-protein game food ration or mixed grains, available at agricultural feed stores.  They will be happy with either.  If you have duck hens, they will eventually lay eggs and will need some crushed oyster shell or limestone supplement as a source of calcium.  You can collect the duck eggs and use them in baking.  They are more viscous than a chicken egg and richer in taste.  If you want one of your hens to hatch her eggs, don’t bother the hen once she becomes broody.  For instance, don’t try to move the nest to a “better” location, or she will abandon it.  Set some food and water near her, but otherwise leave her alone.  She will occasionally get up to stretch her legs and get some nourishment, but if she’s a good momma, she’ll see the clutch through until the last one hatches –usually around 28 days. 

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