FowlBlog.com

Ducks are only good house pets as long as you can keep them comfortable in a large box or cage. As the ducklings mature to about 6-8 weeks of age, their care demands will change such that they need access to water, will become a bit messier, and will require more space.

Ducks are not meant to live in houses, despite some owner's best efforts.

Generally, we consider the 6-8 week old mark to be “pond ready”, when ducks can be released as primarily yard or pond ducks.  Granted, they’ll still need some type of duck housing, but their domain should move to a more natural environment at this age.

Now there are certainly exceptions to these guidelines as there are for nearly any bit of pet waterfowl care knowledge.  We receive many testimonials of pet duck owners who keep their friends primarily indoors, but most breeders and experts will agree that they need to be more of a yard pet.

Do duck get along with other pets?  To put it briefly…not really.

While there are countless people who do in fact keep a myriad of pets together, including ducks, the potential for catastrophe always remains and should be respected at all times.

Scenes such as this are uncommon, but possible. Photo by Dok1

Most dogs and cats, and many other wild animals, instinctively view ducks as a food source.  In most cases, we do not recommend that you have both dogs/cats and pet ducks unless you are prepared to take the utmost care to ensure their harmony.

Many breeds of domestic duck lack the ability to fly.  Thus, they do not have their primary defense mechanism available to them when they feel threatened.  Furthermore, most pet ducks you will raise have been bred to be farm fowl (meat ducks, egg layers, etc.).

Also, ducklings must be protected from other ducks in many instances, specifically from males.  If you’re breeding ducks, do not isolate ducklings from their mothers, but be vigilant around the older male ducks, including their father.

Here are a few pointers if you are ready to travel down the road of duck and dog/cat coexistance -

• Always be vigilant around the animals.  A careful and active owner is the key to success in all aspects of pet duck ownership.
• Never simply allow your dogs and ducks to roam freely together, as animal instincts can surface at anytime resulting in serious injury or death.
• If you feel confident that you can directly introduce you duck to a cat or dog, hold the duck in your hands and be prepared to defend your animals and yourself at all times.
• Keep ducklings in a cage or fully enclosed box which will prevent access to any would be predators.
• Never assume your dog/cat and ducks are trained and conditioned to live in harmony, predatorial instincts may surface at any moment.

If anyone else has any tips to share on this topic, please do.  I am asked about ducks and other pets quite frequently, and I’m interested to hear what others are doing in regards to this endeavor.  Thanks!

Yes, your pet ducks need housing.  They need an escape from weather, predators, and general stress…just like a human does.  If you take some relatively simple steps to ensure you pet ducks have adequate shelter, it will go a long in promoting their well-being and happiness.

Once again, we turn to the pet duck experts at LiveDucks.com for advice on how to house ducks.  Also, a lot of the general waterfowl knowledge for this article comes from the section on keeping ducks and geese at PoultryKeeper.com .

Here are some guidelines for providing your ducks with excellent shelter -

• Roaming – Ideally, you’ll allow your ducks to roam your entire yard.  If this is not viable, give them as large of an area as you can, ensuring that it is clean and safe from predators.  Also, use and area that is accessible to you for feeding, cleaning, and socializing.
• Cages and Kennels – Do not fully cage your adult ducks unless it is to provide protection from predators.  If you must cage your ducks,  have the floor covered with bedding as a wire frame cage or even a flat metal surface can damage your ducks’ legs.  Also, make sure the gaps in the wire frame aren’t too wide so the ducks don’t stick their heads or wings through them, as this can result in injury.

If you use wire framing of any kind, ensure the floor has appropriate bedding and the wire gaps aren't too large.

• Nighttime – Ducks should have access to a sheltered area for bedding and protection at night time.  If you bring in your ducks at night you greatly reduce the liklihood of an attack from predators and weather hazards.  A pen with a sheltered area usually works great.
• Size – Avoid cramped enclosures that do not allow the duck to flap their wings and move around.  If you buy ducks at eFowl.com, their instructions suggests that ducklings need ½ square foot of floor space the first week, 1 square foot the second week, and 3 square feet after that.
• Bedding – It is important that you use appropriate bedding to provide your ducks with adequate comfort and insulation.  Also, change bedding regularly to prevent mold from building up.  This can be hazardous to you and to your ducks.
  • Recommended Bedding Materials – hay, straw, fleece, newspaper strips (but not for the long term)
  • Materials to NOT use – wood chips, litter, anything that presents a choking hazard

Hay or Straw makes the best bedding. Be sure to change it often.

• Ducklings – Keeping ducklings in a cardboard box for safety and warmth reasons is perfectly acceptable.  However, be sure that their bedding is not a flat surface, as this can cause spraddled or splay legs.
• Heat – Even when conditions are mild or warm, ducks of up to about 4 weeks old need a steady heat source.  Usually this is a heat lamp placed high enough such that ducks will not burn themselves.

Great all-around duckling housing - note the heat lamps providing ample warmth

By being careful to avoid potential harzards, and providing your ducks with basic comforts you can create a safe any happy environment for your pets.