Can Ducks Fly?

[OllieMartin]

Alright, I know ducks can fly. I've been thinking about keeping ducks in the back garden for a while now as I'm not a huge fan of chickens. My research has suggested that Campbells are a good choice (quiet, pretty, good layers and friendly), but how high would I need to build the fence to insure they could not escape? (assuming they have their wings clipped)

[OverWyreGrower]

Alright, I know ducks can fly. I've been thinking about keeping ducks in the back garden for a while now as I'm not a huge fan of chickens. My research has suggested that Campbells are a good choice (quiet, pretty, good layers and friendly), but how high would I need to build the fence to insure they could not escape? (assuming they have their wings clipped)

I have Khaki Campbells and I can assure you they are NOT quiet or friendly!! They are very vocal ducks, and 'chat' to each other a lot. They are quite nervous ducks, and changes freak them out (I got a new feed bucket the other day and you'd have thought I'd shot them....)

However, they are very funny to watch and are superb egg layers

They don't really 'fly' very much. I've never seen them get more than a couple of feet off the ground. We have ours in a fully enclosed, roofed pen though. They seem to need a very large run-up to get anywhere off the ground.

They are fairly big ducks (mine are nearly on a par with the Indian Runners), so I can't see them getting very far if they do take off!!

[Snadger]

Ducks stink, make a mess, and when you grab them it's like wrestling with an anaconda!

[Eco-Chic]

I'm not a huge fan of chickens.

On behalf of chickens everywhere HOW VERY DARE YOU SIR!?

This is a chicken forum doncha know?

I find your comment in very poor taste

[MaureenHall]

On behalf of chickens everywhere HOW VERY DARE YOU SIR!?

This is a chicken forum doncha know?

Sorry, but it's not just for chickens. There's turkeys, geese, pheasants, quail as well as ducks all chatted about on "the roost"



but I think chickens are the bestest

[Snadger]

Sorry, but it's not just for chickens. There's turkeys, geese, pheasants, quail as well as ducks all chatted about on "the roost"



but I think chickens are the bestest

Do ducks roost?

[Snadger]

Just thought I'd better clarify...............nothing against ducks, talking about ducks, eating ducks etc.

Just I don't like duck eggs and ducks aint for me!

[OllieMartin]

Cheers for the responses. I had read that Campbells were second quietest after Muscovy, I read omlet.co.uk 'cover-to-cover'.

So how high would the fence need to be? Or is that a "how long is a piece of string?" question? (oooh, an interrogative within an interrogative!)

[Snadger]

Cheers for the responses. I had read that Campbells were second quietest after Muscovy, I read omlet.co.uk 'cover-to-cover'.

So how high would the fence need to be? Or is that a "how long is a piece of string?" question? (oooh, an interrogative within an interrogative!)

Well put it this way Ollie.......I often see ducks flying overhead at what appears to be stratosphere height!
One of the guys at the allotments had a pair of Mallards which stayed for a while then flew away. I've seen tame ducks doing a vertical take off similar to a harrier jump jet .......not sure about Khaki Cambells though!

[bubblewrap]

Do ducks roost?

I thought the question was can ducks swim or was it do ducks crap in the woods?

[Polly Fouracre]

I once had three Khaki Campbell ducks who wandered where they pleased and as far as I can remember, never took to the skies or were any trouble except for having to be herded in, with much quacking and grumbling, at bed-time. Their eggs were lovely AND they laid right through the winter!

[HeyWayne]

I've seen a housefly.

I've seen a horselfy.

[Polly Fouracre]

I've seen a housefly.

I've seen a horselfy.

But I've done seen 'bout everythin' when I see an elephant fly!

[OverWyreGrower]

Well put it this way Ollie.......I often see ducks flying overhead at what appears to be stratosphere height!
One of the guys at the allotments had a pair of Mallards which stayed for a while then flew away. I've seen tame ducks doing a vertical take off similar to a harrier jump jet .......not sure about Khaki Cambells though!

I think they are way too big and heavy to get off the ground without a decent run up... was looking to see if I had a decent picture of mine for a size comparison...

Attached is a rather rubbish picture

Towards the back are the IR ducks (Francis and Mary) and you can just about see the Campbells next to them...

At the front are some of the chickens and one of the turkeys....

[bluemoon]

I asked this of a lady who was trying to flog me 2 ducklings (I resisted, but only because I'd nowhere to keep them at the time, they were just soooooo cute) Anyway her answer was; 'Yes, but why on earth would they when they're spoilt rotten, have the best food money can buy, a lovely pond, nice, warm house and as many treats as they ask for'? I suppose she had a point. Mind you, I wasn't just meaning flying in general, but more flying south and never coming back.