FowlBlog.com

Raising poultry such as chickens and waterfowl is becoming an increasingly popular hobby in the United States.  However, many people who want to partake in a pet duck, have no idea where to begin in selecting one.

Breeding ducks has been a pursuit of many devoted farmers and bird enthusiasts for hundreds of years, yielding a wide variety of ducks with varying characteristics and traits.  Some ducks produce more eggs than others, some are excellent birds for their meat.  Which ducks make the best pets?  Meaning which birds are the best behaved, the most adaptable, the friendliest, and the most aesthetically pleasing.

Here is a run down of the four most popular duck breeds, along with their basic Pros and Cons -

Pekin Ducks – are the large white ducks (think Aflac commercials), they have a calm demeanor and relaxed temperament.  Pekin ducklings are the soft, yellow ducklings that you are probably used to seeing.  They are the most popular breed of domestic duck in the United States.

Pekins are the large, white duck people frequently see

• Pekin Pros - calm, sociable, very adaptable, unable to fly, easy to purchase
• Pekin Cons – unexciting coloration, can be loud

Rouen Ducks – are larger cousins of the mallard ducks, having the exact same beautiful coloration.  They are very calm and sociable, and bred to be a pet duck or farm duck.  They key difference between a Mallard and a Rouen is that Rouens are too large to fly, and you won’t have to worry about clipping wings.

Rouens are larger cousins of the Mallard

• Rouen Pros - beautiful coloration, calm, sociable, too large to fly, easy to purchase
• Rouen Cons – Rouens can have a cumbersome stature

Cayuga Ducks – are medium sized ducks (still too large to fly), which have a very unique iridescent green plumage.  They are the quietest pet ducks, and are often the choice for people who live in close proximity to their neighbors.

Cayugas are the quietest ducks

• Cayuga Pros - very cool coloration, great stature, very quiet
• Cayuga Cons – harder to find

Mallard Ducks – are popular as well because people frequently see them in the wild.  However, domesticated mallards will still retain the ability to fly, which makes them somewhat less suitable as pets as it may be necessary to clip their wings.

Mallards will be able to fly

• Mallard Pros - very cool coloration, great stature, very quiet
• Mallard Cons – will be able to fly, harder birds to ship

Many people ask us how to handle a pet duck during the winter months.  Given the outdoor nature of a ducks and other waterfowl, the winter can pose some threats to your pet’s well-being.  However, with some simple preparation and care, your pet ducks or even ducklings can thrive and love the winter months.

Here are some guidelines to follow-

• Shelter – Even in the harsh winter months, ducks are capable of being outside.  The key is that you must provide them the heat source which will allow them to get warm if they need to.  Essentially, you should either provide a shelter that the ducks can freely move in and out of (such as a Rubbermaid Shed), or you should bring them in every night into a garage or shed.

• Insulation – Any shelter you create should be well insulated, have adequate duck bedding , be windproof, and be waterproof.  Also, if you have a pen or shelter that the ducks will have free access to, the doorway should not be open.  A rubber flap or something in line with a doggie door works great stop heat loss due to draftiness.
• Shelter Size – Depending on the size of your flock, the size of the shelter should be small enough that the collected heat of the ducks will warm it, but large enough to provide the animals with freedom of movement and the ability to escape the heat should they get too warm.
• Heat Lamp – An artificial heating source such as a heat lamp works wonderfully to provide the ducks and other farm fowl with warming spot.  However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using this method -
  • LiveDucks recommends a 75-100 watt of the standard variety, ceramic type, or infrared type.
  • Ensure the heat lamp is out of all animals’ reach, and is not near any flammable materials.
  • Make sure the ducks can escape from the heat lamp area (without going outside), should they get too warm.
• Dryness – Even though ducks are inherently waterfowl, it is vital that they are capable of drying themselves to stay alive.  This is especially true during the winter time.  Again, it is key to make sure there is adequate, clean and dry bedding available for them.  You should change this often (once / day) to prevent mold buildup which is especially hazardous during the winter.
• Breed Hardiness – Many of the types of ducks that are available as pets are domestic breeds that are very hardy during harsh winters.  The Pekin Ducks or Rouen Ducks, for example, are large enough such that they will survive quite well.  If you have a smaller breed such as Call Ducks or Mallard Ducks, you may need to take extra winter precaution in colder climates.
• Ventilation - Make sure the air inside any shelter doesn’t become trapped or stagnant.  If you are using a smaller shelter this can be hazardous.  Small air holes combined with good insulation are key to achieving the right balance of heat and fresh air.
• Ponds – Pet Ducks will still enjoy bathing and splashing in ponds just like during the Summer.  There are some deicing solutions available which will keep your pond area liquid if you would like to provide this comfort.  Also, for small ponds, a pond heater may work wonderfully.  LiveDucks.com recommends a company called Pond Solutions for small pond heating and deicing.

Ducks still love the water in the cold, and they will love access to ice free water

Ducks and other waterfowl are like other animals in that they have adapted to their climate and to all weather that they are naturally exposed to.  However, keep in mind that your pet duck is most likely a domesticated breed.  Much of their survival characteristics have been bred out over hundreds of years to make them a strong farm fowl.

Finally, do not let a harsh Winter intimidate you or keep you from ordering a pet duck.  One of the main hatcheries eFowl.com uses is near the frigid Winters of the Canadian border, and the ducks still thrive as healthy as ever.  Like most aspects of pet ownership, simple research and preparation will trump any extreme conditions that you may encounter.

Wild and Domestic Ducks are inherently different, and must be fed appropriately.

You’re the proud caretaker of a new duck, and you face one of the most basic questions of pet ownership. What exactly do you feed a duck?

LiveDucks.com offers a great duck feeding resource, which we’ve summarized here.  This is a compliation of the knowledge of various avian veternarians, wildlife caretakers, breeders, and all around experts.

Make sure your ducks have access to water while they eat. They don't have teeth and use water to soften food.

One of the key things to avoid when feeding your pet duck is any food that is medicated, always use non-medicated foods. Poultry farms and commercial operations will use medicated foods to prevent communicable diseases in waterfowl.  This works for large scale operations, but not for personal pets.

A solid diet should consist of a solid staple food with some vegetable or fruit trimmings to provide complementary nutruition.  Here are some ideas for each of those food categories -

Staples -

• Non-Medicated Duck/Chick Starter for ducklings and growing birds
• Non-Medicated Pelleted Mash for adults
• Cracked Corn

Trimmings –

• Fresh Vegetables like shredded carrots
• Chopped, Hard-Broiled Eggs
• Tomatoes
• Cottage Cheese
• Garden Snails (only if you do not use pesticides or snail bait)
• Worms of all sorts

Ducks need a nutrition packed staple in their diet, like Non-Medicated Pelleted Duck Mash

Protein Levels – Striving to feed your duck an optimum level of protein is important.  At different stages of life, they need different levels.  Too much or too little may cause feathering problems.

• Duckings (0 – 3 weeks old) – 20-22% protein, easily obtained from Duck/Chick Starter
• Adolescents (4 weeks – fully grown) – 16% protein
• Adults (fully grown) – 14-16 % protein
• Laying Hens (fully grown) – 16-18%, easily obtained from store bought Laying Rations or Mash

Where do I get duck specific foods? A local farm supply or pet store is usually the optimum choice.  It can be expensive to purchase online due to heavy shipping costs, but there are a few places available.

What NOT to feed ducks -

• Bread – it’s NOT okay for wild ducks and it’s NOT okay for domestic
• Seeds and Nuts – these are too difficult to digest
• Fatty, Salty or Sweet Foods
• Chocolate
• Popcorn
• Anything that will fill up your duck without offering nutritional value

Bread is NOT okay for wild ducks in the park or domestic ducks, as it will make them fat and lazy.

So you’ve decided to raise some young ducklings and you’re looking for some tips on keeping them as safe, healthy, and happy as possible?  We’ve consulted a few experts and compiled 10 Tips on Raising Ducklings for people with limited knowledge of these wonderful animals.

1. First Drink: When you get your duckings or goslings dip their beaks in water.  Let them drink for 5 or 10 minutes then take the water away for a half hour or so.  This is so they don’t die from over drinking when they are too thirsty.  After you have controlled their drinking a a few times, you may give them full access to water.
2. Energy Boost: If they have had a hard trip and seem weak, a bit of sugar in the water will give them quick energy.
   

   Some sugar after a long trip can give a duckling extra energy!

3. Bedding: Do not use smooth paper for bedding as this may cause spraddled legs.  They need a rougher surface to get footing to stand.
4. Feed: Use non-medicated feed. A commercial crumble is best to start them out on.
5. Heated Space: If they huddle together under their heat source they are too cold, but if they are trying to get away or puffing they are too hot.  It is best to give them enough room to get away from the heat if they wish, but not so much room that they can’t find their way back to the warmth when wanted.
6. Dry Conditions: Wet conditions are deadly to young ducks and geese.  If kept on a floor they should have dry bedding sprinkled 2 or 3 times a day.
   

   Ducklings need a way to stay dry.

7. Predators: They must be protected from predators.  Animals like rats, stray cats, coons, mink, dogs, etc., should be kept out of their pens.
8. New Foods: When they get about three weeks old, grain such as cracked corn, oats, or wheat can be gradually added to their diets.  Also, grit or a bit of fine gravel needs to be provided.
9. Grazing: Goslings love grass and as soon as weather permits they should be allowed to graze.  Also, Ducklings are very good at catching insects and get a lot of protein this way.
10. Weather Shelter: Until they are feathered out, they need some protection from long or severe rain showers.

Why would anyone choose to raise waterfowl?

A countless many enjoy participating in this endeavor for a wide variety of reasons including -

• Pets – Waterfowl make great pets as one watches their growth, behaviors, and playful antics.
• Shows – Raising waterfowl for shows and exhibitions is a highly engaging and competitive pursuit.
• Farms – Waterfowl provide excellent farming assistance as they are avid controllers of insects and grass in their environments.
• Food – Historically, waterfowl have been prominent food source. People consume the meat and eggs, yielding exquisite dishes.

Today, the typical reason people have waterfowl is to keep as pets. They provide countless hours of enjoyment through observation and interaction. If one raises a duck or goose from its infancy, they can grow to become excellent companions.

Ducklings are ridiculously cute

Also, Showing ducks and geese at fairs and poultry exhibitions provides fulfillment for the farm hobbyist. These events serves as venues for breeders and hatcheries to showcase their unique flocks and network with other enthusiasts.

On a farm, waterfowl can provide many benefits to the crops and environment. For example, ducks and geese can serve to weed and remove harmful insects from grasses, crops, and gardens through with their avid foraging. Furthermore, many environmentally conscious farmers utilize waterfowl to accomplish this task as it is a natural and organic alternate method as opposed to herbicides and insecticides.

Ducks patrol and maintain their grounds.

Finally, waterfowl are source of meat and other products which provide tremendous quality and functionality. Duck has always been a staple meat to many cultures. Furthermore, feathers offer soft and warm stuffing for pillows and coats. Even the fat can be used to make shortenings and hand cremes!

With such a wide range of uses, raising waterfowl can appeal to many tastes and functions. If you are interested in raising waterfowl, learn some breed-specific waterfowl information and order some ducklings to get started!