What do you think of these ducks???

[Tweetypie]

I have 4 hens at the moment and did consider having a couple of call ducks before I got them, but the fact that hens lay more eggs tipped the balance. If I ever move to a house with a small paddock, I would love to have some ducks. I've heard they don't need a pond, but it would be a deam to have a pond, with ducks. As I work full time and my retired husband does all the cleaning out and poo picking, I feel that adding a couple of ducks may lead to divorce

[dorsetduckowner]

Upper brook Farm, I think best practice with any waterfowl is to provide a pond of some description, even if its a plastic kiddy pool I am a Big believer in the opinion that if you cannot provide an animal with what it needs to fulfil its natural behaviours, then its probably best not keeping that animal. I know many people disagree with this opinion but I feel quite strongly about it

[Marigold]

Totally agree, dorsetduckowner. During my working life, when the children were growing up, we kept all sorts of livestock, from aquarium species to chickens, little furries and ponies. All of these could be left in their various environments during the day when we were at work, and were much loved, if sometimes short-lived. What we all really wanted was a dog, but as we were out all day, it just wasn't possible - until the day after we retired, when our first puppy came home with us. I feel particularly strongly about dogs, so many of which end up in rescue because owners don't realise their need for company and sensible training, but as you say, the same is true for any type of animal.

[valeriebutterley]

I think the call ducks are beautiful, interesting that they do not need water, I may investigate further in a minute.

[dorsetduckowner]

Valerie, all ducks need water to fulfil their behavioural requirements and keep their feathers, eyes and nares healthy. It is even suggested in legal terms for farmed species. They need at least a tub that they can bath in, if not a proper pond.

[Upper Brook Farm]

Upper brook Farm, I think best practice with any waterfowl is to provide a pond of some description, even if its a plastic kiddy pool I am a Big believer in the opinion that if you cannot provide an animal with what it needs to fulfil its natural behaviours, then its probably best not keeping that animal. I know many people disagree with this opinion but I feel quite strongly about it

Dorset duck owner, all of my ducks have access to lakes. However, bantam ducks DO NOT need water - I know you said they need to fulfil their natural behaviour but the truth is they don’t need it. Even a washing up bowl is fine.

[Upper Brook Farm]

I think the call ducks are beautiful, interesting that they do not need water, I may investigate further in a minute.

Please see the post I sent to DDO.

[rick]

They have an interesting history, don't they? I'm glad they are not used as decoys anymore.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a bantam duck!

[dorsetduckowner]

Upper Brook Farm, I am wondering what research/behavioral observations you base your opinions on in regard to call ducks emphatically not needing water? In your opinion, what makes them different to other ducks?

[Margaid]

Upper brook Farm, I think best practice with any waterfowl is to provide a pond of some description, even if its a plastic kiddy pool I am a Big believer in the opinion that if you cannot provide an animal with what it needs to fulfil its natural behaviours, then its probably best not keeping that animal. I know many people disagree with this opinion but I feel quite strongly about it

Dorset duck owner, all of my ducks have access to lakes. However, bantam ducks DO NOT need water - I know you said they need to fulfil their natural behaviour but the truth is they don’t need it. Even a washing up bowl is fine.

I find this very confusing: DDO says something like a plastic kiddy pool is fine, UBF then says they don't need water, but adds that "Even a washing up bowl is fine". So UBF are you saying they don't need a pond or lake as long as they have some water available! I can see that a washing up bowl would possibly be big enough for small ducks to do whatever ducks need to do in water - something to do with preening I think??