Are ducks easy to keep? Which ducks are good start offs?????

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:19 pm

hi
im looking at getting some ducks i want some pretty ones as well ones that are easy to keep and good natured
Thanks
chooklover101 than657

Andy_Bundy · **Joined:** Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:11 pm **Posts:** 1

Yes they are very easy and I started with mallards which I think are the easiest along with muscovy which are the ideal beginners duck. Make sure you have a good water supply for them and grass for grazing and they will be fine

originbreed · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:47 am

mallards are very easy. they are not a very big duck and they dont take up much space. some of the larger breeds can be a bit vicious if u are just begining and a bit unsure of their nature. if you get them young and handle them often they will follow u around the yard and be very friendly.

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:12 am

is it ok to have them in a area with chickens?does the water they swim have to be fresh?also, will they scare off wild natural ducks?? than657

originbreed · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:43 pm

make sure you get 2 ducks.dont ever get just 1. they need a friend.
give them clean water every day. i have seperate water dishes for the chooks and ducks.
the ducks dirty thier drinking water very quickly. they dont need a permanent water source to swim in and breed in. we have a plactic clam shell that is quick to fill and quick to put away when they are finished their swimming and cleaning. i tip the water out so the chooks arent drinking the duck water.
its good for the garden but not the best for the chooks.
the ducks sleep in the same shed as the chooks and some nites they actually put themselves to bed like the chooks do.

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:39 pm

hi thanks everyone
one question though: arent mallards a wild duck species? can i get them on the sunshine coast qld? than657

originbreed · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:21 pm

mallards are a wild breed but they can and have been domesticated for several centuries. they are the ancestor to most of the domestic breeds of ducks. you will see the natural mallard color in runners, rouens, and variations of lite and dark phase coloration in welsh harlequin khaki campbells just to mention a few. mallards come in other colors as well, such as white, fawn, blue fawn and variations with white bibs.
if you go to your local poultry club you can often find out who is breeding them. there are always sections for mallards at any local show.
duck33

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:27 pm

ah thanks
is there anything really important i need to know that will help me with ducks? Also, should i start with babies or adults?
Thanks than657

ColacWaterfowl · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:40 pm

originbreed wrote:

make sure you get 2 ducks.dont ever get just 1. they need a friend. give them clean water every day.

Good advice

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:48 pm

hehehe i would never get 1 at least 4 :lol:

to everyone who offered advice than657

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