Ducks - anyone here have them and can give advise to newbie?
Discussion
We've been discussing getting ducks for a few years and now we have a large garden feel now is the time.
There are a few questions which may be totally silly but here goes -
My local hatchery has some kahki Campbell ducklings available - will their wings come clipped?
Will it be ok to have 2 or 3?
Can I leave them free range during the day (secure 6 ft fence)
If foxes are a worry will those plastic peat deterrents on the top of fence help stop them getting in?
Should I be concerned about the regular local cat visit?
Will they eat my roses and jasmine plants?
I'm thinking of getting an Eglu with 3m run and using a large Belfast sink with old bricks for steps into it - does this sound suitable?
Will the ducks annoy the neighbours?
Thank you
There are a few questions which may be totally silly but here goes -
My local hatchery has some kahki Campbell ducklings available - will their wings come clipped?
Will it be ok to have 2 or 3?
Can I leave them free range during the day (secure 6 ft fence)
If foxes are a worry will those plastic peat deterrents on the top of fence help stop them getting in?
Should I be concerned about the regular local cat visit?
Will they eat my roses and jasmine plants?
I'm thinking of getting an Eglu with 3m run and using a large Belfast sink with old bricks for steps into it - does this sound suitable?
Will the ducks annoy the neighbours?
Thank you
mangos said:
We've been discussing getting ducks for a few years and now we have a large garden feel now is the time.
Will the ducks annoy the neighbours?
Thank you
My neighbour had 6 running ducks, they annoyed the hell out of me. Will the ducks annoy the neighbours?
Thank you
Don't have ducks myself but a few people in the village have them. They are all free range and wonder around quacking and doing duck stuff.
Foxes are a problem in our area but as we have a game farm in the area we have a rather gruff game keeper that keeps them under control. However a few of my neighbours have been taken by foxes and I know they have tried a few things to keep them out with little success. Buy a shotgun and make sure you put them inside their house thing at night time.
I’ve had Campbells for around ten years. Best Duck imo. They willl lay daily as this is what they were bred for, and the most delicious eggs. Best used for baking, cakes if you like.
Get three. Most genuine breeders would insist on a trio. Two females and a Drake. He will keep them happy and in check and also protect them. They’re hard to breed as they don’t like to sit on nests so you’ll be ok there. He will be the one with the curly tail feathers.
Ducklings won’t be clipped as too young. But it’s easy to do and tbh Campbells are fat puddle ducks so can’t fly anyway. Though can ‘get air’.
They’ll be fine free ranging in a 6’ surround. Lock them up at night though. Foxes will take their heads off to shut them up but won’t eat them. It’s not nice.
Cat shouldn’t be a problem. I have five of them and they’d just watch them with interest. As will you. They can take up hours if your time as are so entertaining.
They’ll certainly eat all the bugs that eat your plants. They may nibble the plants but mine never ate them.
I wouldn’t use an Eglu for three Campbells. Sink is fine but you need to change water regularly so make sure you can empty easily. I use a blue plastic shell kids paddling pool.
They’ll probably annoy close neighbours. Unless you ply neighbours with delicious eggs and assure them you don’t leave food out to attract rats.
They’re fab. I’ll post photos later.
Get three. Most genuine breeders would insist on a trio. Two females and a Drake. He will keep them happy and in check and also protect them. They’re hard to breed as they don’t like to sit on nests so you’ll be ok there. He will be the one with the curly tail feathers.
Ducklings won’t be clipped as too young. But it’s easy to do and tbh Campbells are fat puddle ducks so can’t fly anyway. Though can ‘get air’.
They’ll be fine free ranging in a 6’ surround. Lock them up at night though. Foxes will take their heads off to shut them up but won’t eat them. It’s not nice.
Cat shouldn’t be a problem. I have five of them and they’d just watch them with interest. As will you. They can take up hours if your time as are so entertaining.
They’ll certainly eat all the bugs that eat your plants. They may nibble the plants but mine never ate them.
I wouldn’t use an Eglu for three Campbells. Sink is fine but you need to change water regularly so make sure you can empty easily. I use a blue plastic shell kids paddling pool.
They’ll probably annoy close neighbours. Unless you ply neighbours with delicious eggs and assure them you don’t leave food out to attract rats.
They’re fab. I’ll post photos later.
So long as they're secured before dusk you'll be fine.
We had a dozen or so khaki campbells plus a few mallards and muscovys, as well as three geese and a bleedin' goat. Nearly forgot a dozen to 18 hens plus cockerel and half a dozen bantams for sitting. And the usual cats and dogs.
My mother was a bit mental.
From a very young age, it taught my brother and I a great love of animals and a real sense of responsibility.
They were in an acre or so of land with lots of fruit trees and bushes but no pond. They were fine.
We had a dozen or so khaki campbells plus a few mallards and muscovys, as well as three geese and a bleedin' goat. Nearly forgot a dozen to 18 hens plus cockerel and half a dozen bantams for sitting. And the usual cats and dogs.
My mother was a bit mental.
From a very young age, it taught my brother and I a great love of animals and a real sense of responsibility.
They were in an acre or so of land with lots of fruit trees and bushes but no pond. They were fine.
Never you mind said:
My neighbour had 6 running ducks, they annoyed the hell out of me.
Don't have ducks myself but a few people in the village have them. They are all free range and wonder around quacking and doing duck stuff.
Foxes are a problem in our area but as we have a game farm in the area we have a rather gruff game keeper that keeps them under control. However a few of my neighbours have been taken by foxes and I know they have tried a few things to keep them out with little success. Buy a shotgun and make sure you put them inside their house thing at night time.
Im hoping Campbells arent too noisy. Don't have ducks myself but a few people in the village have them. They are all free range and wonder around quacking and doing duck stuff.
Foxes are a problem in our area but as we have a game farm in the area we have a rather gruff game keeper that keeps them under control. However a few of my neighbours have been taken by foxes and I know they have tried a few things to keep them out with little success. Buy a shotgun and make sure you put them inside their house thing at night time.
I wouldn't have worried about the neighbours before as the location they would be in is 100ft away from our houses, but another house sold off the rear of his garden recently and a house has just been built just a few feet away from where they will be.
Im not too sure if anyone has moved in yet...
Gretchen said:
I’ve had Campbells for around ten years. Best Duck imo. They willl lay daily as this is what they were bred for, and the most delicious eggs. Best used for baking, cakes if you like.
Get three. Most genuine breeders would insist on a trio. Two females and a Drake. He will keep them happy and in check and also protect them. They’re hard to breed as they don’t like to sit on nests so you’ll be ok there. He will be the one with the curly tail feathers.
Ducklings won’t be clipped as too young. But it’s easy to do and tbh Campbells are fat puddle ducks so can’t fly anyway. Though can ‘get air’.
They’ll be fine free ranging in a 6’ surround. Lock them up at night though. Foxes will take their heads off to shut them up but won’t eat them. It’s not nice.
Cat shouldn’t be a problem. I have five of them and they’d just watch them with interest. As will you. They can take up hours if your time as are so entertaining.
They’ll certainly eat all the bugs that eat your plants. They may nibble the plants but mine never ate them.
I wouldn’t use an Eglu for three Campbells. Sink is fine but you need to change water regularly so make sure you can empty easily. I use a blue plastic shell kids paddling pool.
They’ll probably annoy close neighbours. Unless you ply neighbours with delicious eggs and assure them you don’t leave food out to attract rats.
They’re fab. I’ll post photos later.
Could you suggest a suitable duck house and run instead of the Eglu? I liked that the Eglu was fox proof and as its plastic rather than wood so doesnt get attacked by mites. Get three. Most genuine breeders would insist on a trio. Two females and a Drake. He will keep them happy and in check and also protect them. They’re hard to breed as they don’t like to sit on nests so you’ll be ok there. He will be the one with the curly tail feathers.
Ducklings won’t be clipped as too young. But it’s easy to do and tbh Campbells are fat puddle ducks so can’t fly anyway. Though can ‘get air’.
They’ll be fine free ranging in a 6’ surround. Lock them up at night though. Foxes will take their heads off to shut them up but won’t eat them. It’s not nice.
Cat shouldn’t be a problem. I have five of them and they’d just watch them with interest. As will you. They can take up hours if your time as are so entertaining.
They’ll certainly eat all the bugs that eat your plants. They may nibble the plants but mine never ate them.
I wouldn’t use an Eglu for three Campbells. Sink is fine but you need to change water regularly so make sure you can empty easily. I use a blue plastic shell kids paddling pool.
They’ll probably annoy close neighbours. Unless you ply neighbours with delicious eggs and assure them you don’t leave food out to attract rats.
They’re fab. I’ll post photos later.
The sink should be easy to empty as it can have a ply in the bottom. A shell paddling pool sounds like a much more spacious option for them though...
mangos said:
Never you mind said:
My neighbour had 6 running ducks, they annoyed the hell out of me.
Don't have ducks myself but a few people in the village have them. They are all free range and wonder around quacking and doing duck stuff.
Foxes are a problem in our area but as we have a game farm in the area we have a rather gruff game keeper that keeps them under control. However a few of my neighbours have been taken by foxes and I know they have tried a few things to keep them out with little success. Buy a shotgun and make sure you put them inside their house thing at night time.
Im hoping Campbells arent too noisy. Don't have ducks myself but a few people in the village have them. They are all free range and wonder around quacking and doing duck stuff.
Foxes are a problem in our area but as we have a game farm in the area we have a rather gruff game keeper that keeps them under control. However a few of my neighbours have been taken by foxes and I know they have tried a few things to keep them out with little success. Buy a shotgun and make sure you put them inside their house thing at night time.
I wouldn't have worried about the neighbours before as the location they would be in is 100ft away from our houses, but another house sold off the rear of his garden recently and a house has just been built just a few feet away from where they will be.
Im not too sure if anyone has moved in yet...
mangos said:
Could you suggest a suitable duck house and run instead of the Eglu? I liked that the Eglu was fox proof and as its plastic rather than wood so doesnt get attacked by mites.
The sink should be easy to empty as it can have a ply in the bottom. A shell paddling pool sounds like a much more spacious option for them though...
If you’re just getting the coop part I’m sure it’ll be fine. I just don’t like the small runs they come with. Ducks can’t use ladders like chickens obviously so you need a ramp or it’ll need to be on the ground. The sink should be easy to empty as it can have a ply in the bottom. A shell paddling pool sounds like a much more spacious option for them though...
A light dusting of food grade Diatomaceous Earth will rid of mites. I buy from eBay rather than pet shop/poultry supplies as it’s far cheaper.
Will happily live with chickens and as adults can eat the same layers pellets. They must have access to face deep water as they need to duck themselves when they eat. The more water they have the more mess they will make... they will love to splash you and are hilarious when you give them a freshly filled paddling pool. I sectioned off some garden and fenced it as a mini paddock.
Gretchen said:
If you’re just getting the coop part I’m sure it’ll be fine. I just don’t like the small runs they come with. Ducks can’t use ladders like chickens obviously so you need a ramp or it’ll need to be on the ground.
A light dusting of food grade Diatomaceous Earth will rid of mites. I buy from eBay rather than pet shop/poultry supplies as it’s far cheaper.
Will happily live with chickens and as adults can eat the same layers pellets. They must have access to face deep water as they need to duck themselves when they eat. The more water they have the more mess they will make... they will love to splash you and are hilarious when you give them a freshly filled paddling pool. I sectioned off some garden and fenced it as a mini paddock.
Gorgeous ducks! A light dusting of food grade Diatomaceous Earth will rid of mites. I buy from eBay rather than pet shop/poultry supplies as it’s far cheaper.
Will happily live with chickens and as adults can eat the same layers pellets. They must have access to face deep water as they need to duck themselves when they eat. The more water they have the more mess they will make... they will love to splash you and are hilarious when you give them a freshly filled paddling pool. I sectioned off some garden and fenced it as a mini paddock.
Ive just reserved 3 to collect this weekend. Very excited!
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff