Keeping Ducks

Reader Contribution by Nicole Wilkey
Published on January 23, 2019
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Ducklings may be some of the cutest things out there, but that’s not a good reason to start keeping ducks. A better reason might be for duck eggs or for meat, Duck à l’Orange anyone? Ducks also are a great form of pest control when it comes to slugs and flies, among other bugs.

As ducklings, they may be fed unmedicated chick feed or a special waterfowl feed. On occasion ducklings may need to be supplemented with niacin (vitamin B3) to prevent or correct developmental issues. With a balanced diet, water to to drink and play, and a safe home to sleep at night, you are on your way to having happy ducks.

When it comes to housing, they do not require anything fancy. I have successfully kept my ducks and chickens together for a few years now and they all share the same coop. While they don’t go to bed as early as the chickens, they will put themselves to bed at night. When it comes to laying eggs (more details on what makes duck eggs special later on) they don’t need a nesting box, they seem to prefer making their own nest in the bedding each morning to lay their eggs. They do love water for both drinking and play, so if you do not want your coop to be a muddy mess or for them to waste too much food, it is best to keep food and water separate. We keep food inside the coop, which also cuts down on the lure to predators, and the water outside in their pasture. The coop stays dry, the food stays dry and there is less mess for everyone.

Ducks are hearty animals and love to explore the mud, puddles, ponds, kiddie pools or any other water feature they can find. A rainstorm does not stop their water play, that may be when they are happiest! Providing them with some form of water area will allow them to express their natural behaviors.

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