Duck entertainment-any ideas from chook owners?

[Qwerty]

Hi, I'ts me again and I would like some ideas on entertaining my ducks. I know more people keep chickens than ducks so do they have any ideas for occuping Poultry. they are call ducks, and are happy, but are there any ways to make them happier? Like training them or giving them special treats? So, any info will be great.

From Qwerty, your fellow duck owner.

[yoanbob]

they like corn just like chooks do, if they have swimming water thats the best thing to keep them happy.
snails are brill, they will try and crush the shells and when the snails are too big they end up playing catch with them its very amusing to watch

[Qwerty]

I do have a big pond just for the ducks and they enjoy that, but corn & snails are great ideas! I think i will add you to my bud list.

[4chickens]

Hi Qwerty,
Would you mind giving me some tips? I'm planning on getting a couple call ducks soon. I already have chickens and am working on a small pond. Is there anything you wish you'd done or not done before you got them?

[davefromthechipie]

Not owned call ducks but had alsbury ducks for many years Wots your pond size and land space ? Aslong as they have a male I found they find there own entertainment xxx
Not had hens for long ( just a few weeks ) but found they seem to need more Entertainment/ places to hunt dig etc .. then my ducks ever did . All i can say if they are laying and seem happy to you they are fine . still one thing more is make sure your pond is wild ie got earth /mud bottom and many plants so they spend there days finding bugs,grubs and so on

[Qwerty]

Helpful helpyness.

Hi Qwerty,
Would you mind giving me some tips? I'm planning on getting a couple call ducks soon. I already have chickens and am working on a small pond. Is there anything you wish you'd done or not done before you got them?

Sure! Hey, good choice of duck. Call ducks are perfect for first time owners are intelligent and fun, and can become very tame. Make your pond aboud 30 cm deep, and nice and long and wide For about 4 or so call ducks. Slope one bank so small creatures can get out if they fall in. Remember to clean it every weekend! Put in the pen some boulders, rocks and logs to create a natural enviroment. Try and place your pen under a tree for added protection. If you want to put them in a hutch a night (advised) then I strongly recommend building your own, because ones at the shop cost a bomb! Make it about 1m cubed, and give it a lift off lid so you can collect eggs and so you can change the straw every weekend. when you first get the tiny cute cheepers, keep them in a cardboard box indoors with a bedding of paper. And underneath the paper, put a plastic bag there to keep the box dry. Keep them under a heat lamp, but turn it off if they pant and at night-time. They will cheep like mad, so to soothe them, you could croo like a pidgoen. works for me! also give them a large, deep plate of water each day so they learn to wash and preen. Start by feeding them starter crumbs, then slowly moving on to layers pellets and cornstuffs. Then, when you think your ready, take them outside every now and then, slowly progressing into them sleeping in the hutch. Dont do it to quickly though. IMPORTANT: Fence off the pond when they are ducklings. They cant swim at first! I would advise getting them sometime in the holidays so you can care for them properly. (SUMMER HOLIDAYS! SUMMER HOLIDAYS! SUMMER HOLIDAYS! Or is that a bit soon?) PHEW! That was a long type. hope this helps. here is a link to a useful book. Amazon.co.uk: Starting with Ducks (Starting with): Katie Thear: Books

[4chickens]

Sorry, just found your replies. Thanks for the advice.

[Qwerty]

No probs. I will help you through getting ducks, just ask for help and I shall gladly give it.
Good luck!!

[4chickens]

Phoned the nice lady and ordered them today. Getting them at the end of August - she can't sex them yet as they are still little yellow dots. Wonder what the chickens will do. Do you think I should segregate them for a while until they get used to it? I have a hen house with a run - so could lock the chooks up for a while.

[lynda66]

would it be worth putting parrot toys in the run and a mirror? or do chickens and ducks not notice things like that?

[di]

Our chooks have got 2 sunken tractor tyres & a small plastic toddler climbing frame to play on!they seem to like them!

[Qwerty]

Im glad you've gone ahead and getting call ducks please ask me for advice if you need it.

[Twinkle]

A-ha
glad I found this as I was toying with getting a couple of ducks as hopefully a solution to my slug and snail problem.
I have an old Eglu that my hens outgrew, and I have a fenced-in veg plot (to keep out deer and hens) that they'd live in. There's room for a small pond if I shuffle the compost heaps around a bit.

Do you reckon that would work ? Won't they fly away ?

[Qwerty]

Now I'm a bit vauge on eglus, so I will have to look into it. But if you get there wings clipped they will not be able to fly. many ducks already have clipped wings when you get them. Call ducks are good for beginners but d'ont produce many eggs, but muscovy ducks lay loads but d'ont appear that hansome. But it sounds good, so I should try.

[lynda66]

i was looking at ducks the other day, and indian runner ducks apparently don't fly and they are very cute .... muscovy ducks are pig ugly lol