DUCKS... anyone???

[uhmanda00]

Has anyone here ever raised a duck?

I'm getting one on Wednesday. It's a baby duckling... and I'll be letting it go once it is grown up and has all of its adult feathers.

If you've owned one... what would you recommend for housing, feeding, etc.

Anything else is great!

[little liz]

Hi I don't have any ducks only 11 hens but you may find some useful information on a site which my partner uses. yes it is essentially a hen site but it does have a ducks section and there are a few members who own ducks who I am sure would offer some helpful advice.

[Sweet72947]

I don't think you can raise it then set it free, it won't know how to survive in the wild!

[Lizmo]

^^ that's what I was thinking. =/

[FoxyWench]

baby ducks imprint, its unlikely youll ever be able to re-release a duck after its been raised by people.

What kind of duck is it?

As for keeping it, the absolut minimal easiest way is a cardboard box, carefresh litter (i dont like shavings) and a heat lamp. as it gets older bigger box less heat lamp and as it gets older a sheltered spot outside is good.

http://www.newagrarian.com/homestead/ducks/

is a good site.

But honestly, unless your planning on keeping the duck, it might be best to let an experienced rehabber or a farm have and raise it because they imprint pretty strongly and arnt the easiest animal to rehab for release.

[uhmanda00]

well, i went to look at them. they were the white ducks, so they probably wouldn't be as good for releasing as a mallard. so i'm not getting one.

[midnightbirdgirl]

I am a mom of two ducks and when we move I plan on getting more.
I have a Pekin and a Rowen now.


I feed them laying mix, Cherrios, worms, and egg shells, as well as all sorts of greens. The have a dog house where they sleep at night, keeps them safe too as I close it, right now they have a kiddie pool which I dump and refill every other day. They are messy and since we live in a tract home I have them on turf in the fenced off dog run. Your chick will be full grown in about 20 days, and should be laying in about 3 months more or less!!
You really should not release a duck once you raise it...it is not likely to live. If that is your plan give it to a sanctuary, where it can stay indefinitely. If you need help with this please let me know.
MBG

[Julie]

I wouldn't release into the wild either, good choice on not getting one.

On the other hand, we have a creek that runs through our town, which as long as I can remember has had many ducks living on it. White ducks, mallards, and cross breed funny looking ducks. They get fed alot of food from town people, and actually thrive living there. There is one lady that feeds corn everyday and she knows how old each one is, who the parents are, and can tell you their birthdates. They know the sound of her truck and the mallards will fly beside her vehicle at feeding time. Our town is kinda famous around here for "feeding ducks"... Lol

[midnightbirdgirl]

Originally Posted by Julie

I wouldn't release into the wild either, good choice on not getting one.

On the other hand, we have a creek that runs through our town, which as long as I can remember has had many ducks living on it. White ducks, mallards, and cross breed funny looking ducks. They get fed alot of food from town people, and actually thrive living there. There is one lady that feeds corn everyday and she knows how old each one is, who the parents are, and can tell you their birthdates. They know the sound of her truck and the mallards will fly beside her vehicle at feeding time. Our town is kinda famous around here for "feeding ducks"... Lol

Julie, can you let folks know not to feed them white bread and the like? It is really bad for them. Ducks love it, I know, but it is about as good for them as potato chips are for us! No nutritional value, but it fills them up! Mash,cracked corn, and cereals like Cheerios are best, as are greens, they even do well on wild bird seed.
All the best,
MBG