couple of ducks
- Thread starter lewisdale
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dorsetduckowner
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There are sometimes rescues available 
What sort of set up do you have for them?
What kind of ducks are you looking to get?
Zo
What sort of set up do you have for them?
What kind of ducks are you looking to get?
Zo
they will have the run of the garden, and have a small shed for them to be housed in and will have a pool set up for them, i am pretty new to this and as im a beginner i havent really looked too much into the different breeds, but to be honest im not too fussed on the breed
thanks
thanks
dorsetduckowner
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Well I suspect getting ducks wont be an issue, it all depends on if you would prefer rescues or some from a breeder.
It is a good idea to read up on them first, they are quite different to other pets and are quite high maintenance.
I started with 4 and now have 18 rescues and they are a lifelong 24/7 commitment!
They will have a good go at destroying your garden, but if you only have 2 and a large area you should be ok, grass will get a bit trashed though!
They will need protection from the fox in the form of an electric fence for when you are not around (I am sure you know all this!) they will muck up their pond almost daily, although I have a 15,000 litre pond that gets cleaned out every 12 weeks, most small ponds need emptying weekly at least.
I will PM you with a couple of suggestions of good books etc to have and also the best breeds to get if you would like?
zo
x
It is a good idea to read up on them first, they are quite different to other pets and are quite high maintenance.
I started with 4 and now have 18 rescues and they are a lifelong 24/7 commitment!
They will have a good go at destroying your garden, but if you only have 2 and a large area you should be ok, grass will get a bit trashed though!
They will need protection from the fox in the form of an electric fence for when you are not around (I am sure you know all this!) they will muck up their pond almost daily, although I have a 15,000 litre pond that gets cleaned out every 12 weeks, most small ponds need emptying weekly at least.
I will PM you with a couple of suggestions of good books etc to have and also the best breeds to get if you would like?
zo
x
dorsetduckowner
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Figured it would be useful to post the info publicly
Calls are small but very noisy. Then you have all your posh breeds such as the buff orpington, true aylesbury, cayuga, etc etc.... the show breeds dont tend to lay as much as utility ducks such as your Cherry Valley (also incorrectly sold as pekin or aylesbury) or Khaki Campbell duck. However it is worth remembering that the more eggs your ducks lay a year the more chance they have of getting peritonitis which can kill them in 24 hours or if caught early can be treated but to fair expense and may be recurrent.
I would argue that ALL ducks need water to bathe in, although some people disagree and say they only need to submerge their heads. Ducks that have access to bathing water will always have better plumage condition and be able to express more of their natural behaviours than those that don't.
If you have just girls, they can become noisy in mating season calling for drakes. If you have a mixed group try and go for 3:1 females to drakes.
A couple of good books are:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Ultimate-Pet-Duck-Guidebook/dp/1442172657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357839697&sr=8-1
I cannot recommend this enough, written by someone who has run a duck sanctuary for years, although it is American and has a few odd things in it, it is excellent if you see your ducks as pets or family members.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diseases-Free-Range-Poultry-Including-Pheasants/dp/1873580789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357839764&sr=8-1
This is for medical issues, written by one of the most respected poultry vets in the UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Domestic-Duck-Chris-Ashton/dp/1847970508/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357839796&sr=1-10
This covers everything from rearing for meat to genetics, written by very respected breeders. A must if you want to breed or show.
I would strongly suggest the first 2 and get the first one before you get your ducks.
They are very susceptible to health issues from mold which can come from wet hay or straw bedding and moldy or out of date feed.
They will also need the right nutrients, so they will need duck and goose pellets. Breeder pellets or layer pellets. They will also need access to oyster shell for when they are laying. They will need daily or weekly cleaning out, they are very very messy due to the fact they use (not drink) so much water. Good bedding material is wood shavings from the pet shop, straw or hemp (I use Aubiose). You can either change bedding each day or top up and change totally each week.
They will need worming, using flubenvet, you can either do this every year or if you have worm issues. Worms can cause all sorts of odd symptoms so make sure you are registered with a vet who has knowledge of waterfowl or who is happy to consult with someone who does.
When you choose overnight housing for them, remember that in the winter they will be in there for 16 hours a night, so it is useful to ensure they have a large area and if possible have drinking water available. Lots of people dont have drinking water overnight for their ducks as it is very messy, but 16 hours is a long time to go without a drink if you are thirsty!
They will need easy access in and out of the pool as they can hurt their legs easily, ducks are very clumsy and walk through things rather than around them. Some kind of ramp or step system or pool with gently sloping sides is best.
They have to be put to bed at night, they don't go by themselves like chickens do and they will need to be put away at dusk and let out at dawn as such someone will need to be there for them every day at those times. Duck sitters are hard to come by and require much bribery with wine chocolates and compliments
They are also the most suspicious animals that ever lived, if you go out to them with a hat on they will freak out, if you change the colour of their feed bowl they wont go near it for a day, they are totally neophobic!
The number one thing to remember is the amount of time you will waste watching them. They are fascinating, endearing and hilarious and will likely become a huge part of your life!
I have a duck behaviour group on facebook, as ducks have some very odd behaviours and can baffle new duck owners! Please feel free to join and ask questions and share experiences: http://www.facebook.com/groups/287784711232717/
Phew, there you go!
Zo
p.s. get rescues if you can
Calls are small but very noisy. Then you have all your posh breeds such as the buff orpington, true aylesbury, cayuga, etc etc.... the show breeds dont tend to lay as much as utility ducks such as your Cherry Valley (also incorrectly sold as pekin or aylesbury) or Khaki Campbell duck. However it is worth remembering that the more eggs your ducks lay a year the more chance they have of getting peritonitis which can kill them in 24 hours or if caught early can be treated but to fair expense and may be recurrent.
I would argue that ALL ducks need water to bathe in, although some people disagree and say they only need to submerge their heads. Ducks that have access to bathing water will always have better plumage condition and be able to express more of their natural behaviours than those that don't.
If you have just girls, they can become noisy in mating season calling for drakes. If you have a mixed group try and go for 3:1 females to drakes.
A couple of good books are:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Ultimate-Pet-Duck-Guidebook/dp/1442172657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357839697&sr=8-1
I cannot recommend this enough, written by someone who has run a duck sanctuary for years, although it is American and has a few odd things in it, it is excellent if you see your ducks as pets or family members.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diseases-Free-Range-Poultry-Including-Pheasants/dp/1873580789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357839764&sr=8-1
This is for medical issues, written by one of the most respected poultry vets in the UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Domestic-Duck-Chris-Ashton/dp/1847970508/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357839796&sr=1-10
This covers everything from rearing for meat to genetics, written by very respected breeders. A must if you want to breed or show.
I would strongly suggest the first 2 and get the first one before you get your ducks.
They are very susceptible to health issues from mold which can come from wet hay or straw bedding and moldy or out of date feed.
They will also need the right nutrients, so they will need duck and goose pellets. Breeder pellets or layer pellets. They will also need access to oyster shell for when they are laying. They will need daily or weekly cleaning out, they are very very messy due to the fact they use (not drink) so much water. Good bedding material is wood shavings from the pet shop, straw or hemp (I use Aubiose). You can either change bedding each day or top up and change totally each week.
They will need worming, using flubenvet, you can either do this every year or if you have worm issues. Worms can cause all sorts of odd symptoms so make sure you are registered with a vet who has knowledge of waterfowl or who is happy to consult with someone who does.
When you choose overnight housing for them, remember that in the winter they will be in there for 16 hours a night, so it is useful to ensure they have a large area and if possible have drinking water available. Lots of people dont have drinking water overnight for their ducks as it is very messy, but 16 hours is a long time to go without a drink if you are thirsty!
They will need easy access in and out of the pool as they can hurt their legs easily, ducks are very clumsy and walk through things rather than around them. Some kind of ramp or step system or pool with gently sloping sides is best.
They have to be put to bed at night, they don't go by themselves like chickens do and they will need to be put away at dusk and let out at dawn as such someone will need to be there for them every day at those times. Duck sitters are hard to come by and require much bribery with wine chocolates and compliments
They are also the most suspicious animals that ever lived, if you go out to them with a hat on they will freak out, if you change the colour of their feed bowl they wont go near it for a day, they are totally neophobic!
The number one thing to remember is the amount of time you will waste watching them. They are fascinating, endearing and hilarious and will likely become a huge part of your life!
I have a duck behaviour group on facebook, as ducks have some very odd behaviours and can baffle new duck owners! Please feel free to join and ask questions and share experiences: http://www.facebook.com/groups/287784711232717/
Phew, there you go!
Zo
p.s. get rescues if you can
