Ducks

[flowerpower]

A coworker of my BF's is giving away his Pekin Ducks. The 4 that come here are very lucky. The rest will be made into roast duck. All the ducks are female. Anything I should know about their care that's different from chickens? The man is feeding them ''turkey finisher''. They will be on layer feed here. And they will only lay in the spring right?

[plantsnobin]

We haven't had ducks for many years, and then we just had maybe 3 call ducks for the girls. I know that you can't give them chick starter that is medicated, but I really don't know about their laying habits as we had males. I just like the look of the male mallard type. We let ours wonder around wherever they wanted, and we didn't have a pond for them and they did ok. They are better is some ways for the garden than chickens, because they don't scratch around, and they love bugs. They won't peck your ripe tomatoes so they are pretty safe to let into the garden.

[bluelacedredhead]

Do not feed them medicated feeds of any sort. (I know you don't feed medicated anyway, but always worthy of a mention). Poultry meds are designed with chickens in mind. Ducks don't tolerate the same dosages at all.

Ducks eat and poop eat and poop eat and poop.

And they are most entertaining when invited to dinner where Cointreau and Marmalade sauce are being served.

If you won't do that, then make certain they have lots of water to bathe in every day during good weather. But note that their housing should be cleaned regularly in winter. It becomes wet and moldy quickly and causes foot rot and other unsavory disease conditions. In subzero conditions, restrict the size of the water container or they may attempt to swim and get frostbite. Remember the story about my Duck named Knuckles??

[flowerpower]

I won't be cooking the ducks. The few times I have eaten it, I didn't care for it. Ducks would actually be my last choice for new birds, especially this breed. Just what I need, extra work all winter. I do remember that story. They will be here late tonight. I'll let ya know what shape they are in.

[bluelacedredhead]

Ah but! You have Long Island Seed Project seeds, now you will have Long Island Ducks. A theme park Farm, LOL

[flowerpower]

The man called in sick on Friday, so the birds will be here at the end of the week. They said to put them on game bird finisher at Agway. My stupid question is- are these birds going to want to go out when there is alot of snow on the ground? It's really windy here too. So I am concerned about foot problems.

[flowerpower]

The birds got here just fine. There is one male and 3 females. They seem to be in pretty good shape. I didn't really get to examine them yet. The poor chickens flipped out when they saw the ducks. lol I used a "turtle" sandbox as a fake pond. They seem content with it.

[bluelacedredhead]

One Drake, three Ducks is a good ratio.
And don't worry about it being a Turtle pool. I used to have a Slip and Slide or whatever it was called, that was elevated at one end and had a smooth surface for sliding into the pool. They loved it!
I think you'll thoroughly enjoy your new feathered friends once you all get into a routine.

[bunkie]

flowerpower, how are your ducks doing? i don't know much about the Pekin breed. we grew and will be growing Kahki Campbells in the past and this spring. they loved the winter except on days when the wind blew. we had a very small little house for them and i put fresh straw in every other day or when it was needed. i used a thick blanket for a door so they could go in and out as they pleased...they always stayed in at night. i dug a hole in the snow and put an igloo cooler chest in it and put fresh water in it for them to swim/clean themselves in every day when their pond froze over and we couldn't break the ice anymore. i made a little board run for them to go up and down it too. they would take turns, one by one and have lots of fun! never had a foot problem with them...maybe cause they came and went as they pleased during the cold and snow. here's a pics of two of them on a sunny winter day ...one playing in the pond, the other playing in the hose spraying water!

www.imageuploads.net/ims/pic.php?u=27615PDlUo&i=161615

[flowerpower]

The ducks are doing well. I am using a big bowl at the moment for them to bathe in. And they have to use it outside. It's just big emough for them to bathe in. I had to put the chick's water out of their reach, because they are so messy. The duck eggs are HUGE and everyone says they are delicious. All the birds can go in/out during the day. I am concerned about the ducks' feet since they'd rather sleep in the snow than the barn. I call the drake ''Mr Stink-Eye'' b/c he gives anyone who comes near him a dirty look. But at least he comes waddling when I call him. lol

Dumb questions- do ducks molt? They are only a few mos old, will egg prod die down next fall?

[bunkie]

yes, ducks do molt.

as far as egg production, i think every variety is different. our kahki campbells laid in the spring, summer, and fall.

i know about the 'dirty looks'! i had TWO drakes that did it all the time, especially when the girls were laying! ;D

[flowerpower]

My friend says she thinks I hate the ducks "a little bit less" now. lol

[flowerpower]

I see the drake humping the females all the time. Yet I have only seen one fertile duck egg. Could he be too fat? lol

[flowerpower]

I finally found a new Pekin male. I also took a mucovey hen. She was following him around so much, I couldn't leave her there. I called some man and he found me the duck. He was really nice. I am going back to his place later in the week. He has some nice looking hens to sell. Lots of bantams. And I may try to entice one of the peacocks into the truck. lol They are so beautiful. And he had some nice looking pheasant and turkey too.

Here is a pic of all the ducks. The 2 new ones are on the ends. That's Stinkerbelle in the front & Stinkerella in the back.

[Penny]

They are so cute......good luck with them~