Information on ducks and ponds?

[sherpa]

Hi there,
Was looking for info on keeping ducks. I am going to buy 2 ducks this sunday, not sue what type yet, probably a medium - small breed. I have a small brook near by but nothing that they may find immediatley and it isn't on our land. So I was going to get pond plastic laying, dig a hole and line the hole and fill with water for them to wash, ride!! etc.... anyway I know I will have to change the water regularly but with the method I am thinking of using it won't be so easy to empty and refill. Any tips, Should I just get a big paddling pool? I know people keep ducks without water, but I really don't think this would be nice for them.
Thanks.

[OverWyreGrower]

Most breeds of duck do need water. They don't particularly need to swim in it, but use it to paddle and bathe in...

If you dig a pond etc, you will need to be able to empty and clean it on a VERY regular basis. Ducks are very messy, and will need clean water at least every other day.

I would go for a child's paddling pool option - easy to empty, clean and refill, and also move around. We've got a turtle shaped one for our ducks

[sherpa]

That's great thanks. On the case for a sand pit! My mother used to keep ducks, but i have never kept them myself. Dp isn't too keen (as he says he always ends up having to spend days making up something that I bring into the house!!)but I have told him they will live happily with the hens and are no more trouble than the hens, maybe just abit more encouragment to go in at night. Have I got it right or are they much more work than hens?

Thanks.

[OverWyreGrower]

They are much more destructive and messy than hens, but I have 6 ducks and 5 hens in the same run/pen; and they are not really anymore work.

The only difference is that the ducks often need to be herded to bed, whereas the hens put themselves to bed!

You could ask on freecycle for a sandpit/pond? I used a 'freeads' service where I work, and got one that had been lounging in someone's garden for a few years as her kids had grown out of it!

[sherpa]

The destructivness may be a problem, not for me but the neighbours. My hens visit next door everyday, which they don't mind but they may do if 2 ducks come toddling in and start uprouting their prized lawn!! Do they wander far? would they follow the hens?

[HayleyB]

Our ducks do wander a little but they have the room in their pen to do so, they can be difficult little wotsits at bedtime although the child's garden chair technique is pretty good - think lion tamer

[sherpa]

Ourts will be totally free range, our pen is Very small and only used in absolute emergencies where we mightn't be home. It's ok for our 4 hens but I think with 2 ducks to the mix it may be a tight squeze so I mind try and block off the way into the neighbours. I woun't tell dp bout the toruble of getting them to bed, I think I'll let him find out for himself! not much different to children so! lol

[sherpa]

Also is there a breed you would recommend? and a good age to buy them at? I would like them to be layers.

[OverWyreGrower]

Khaki Campbells are good layers, however, can be very skittish and nervous. We had ours from 6 weeks old and handled them a lot, however they are almost untouchable now (at 1 year old). They can be herded etc easily though.

They are good layers, with large white eggs

[HayleyB]

OWG do you reckon Campbells will get on with Mallards, we'll have two girls once the Drakes have gone

[OverWyreGrower]

Don't see why not, ours live with Runner Ducks and chickens... they are much heavier built than either of the other breeds but don't seem to mind at all, and we've had no accidents etc

[sherpa]

Thank you all your advise, they all have been great. I look forward to my poultry sale on Sunday!

[HayleyB]

That's it then when Donald and Donald Too go then I'll be getting Campbells

[Hilary B]

Ducks being destructive is often a matter of making places muddy. They poo a lot and they have flat feet. Anytime I had both ducks and chickens, the chickens pecked things, and the ducks trompled the lawn......
Campbells are great if you only want eggs, but can be flighty. If you are considering eaters, there are Silver Appleyards, Welsh Harlequins and Cayugas, proper dual purpose types. I like the Cayugas, they are black (with a beautiful green sheen) and lay proper 'duck egg green' eggs. All 3 of these breeds lay almost as many eggs as the Campbells (and bigger eggs). Of course the downside is that they eat a bit more.

PS, I think the smaller version of the Cayuga is the Black East Indian, but occasionally I get a panicky reaction of wondering whether the Cayuga isn't the small one and the Black East Indian the big one........

[OllieMartin]

I've been thinking of keeping ducks and was reading up about it a couple of days ago.
I found this website very useful:

Omlet UK | Guide | Ducks