A couple of stupid questions about ducks...

kjmtidea

...if you don't mind! Googling is not getting me anywhere.

When I read that ducks need a certain amount of sunshine a day in order to lay eggs, does it mean daylight or actual sun shining on them?

We have no grass, only concrete slabs, can we still keep ducks if we cover the slabs with wood chips or something similar?

(Told you they were stupid ) Thanks!

Hintza

Don't worry ducks are stupid too.

They will want a bit of cover otherwise the eggs will be nabbed by the first passing crow or magpie. Bark and straw and few strategically placed bushy pot plants might help.

chrisaj

It refers to daylight hours, as the days get longer, you'll find that they start to lay. They'd appreciate a small pond, even if it's just a small baby bath.

kjmtidea

So a nice big coop with run, half a kids sandpit filled with water and we're sorted?
I think I was over thinking it a bit, started to stress about it all! So maybe it is doable then.
Thanks a lot!

chrisaj

They'll love you for that,
Have a look on the practical poultry site, there's a forum on there, all sorts of helpful advice on there including ducks

kjmtidea wrote: »

So a nice big coop with run, half a kids sandpit filled with water and we're sorted?
I think I was over thinking it a bit, started to stress about it all! So maybe it is doable then.
Thanks a lot!

kjmtidea

You're a star thank you, i'm off for a read on that forum.

Mojisola

If you're planning on hatching ducklings, make sure there is an easy way out of the sandpit pond for them. Ducklings can drown if they can't get out of the water.

SailorSam

If you were an MP you could get them a new home on expenses.

MaximumImpact

If you don't have grass, then it may be hard for you to keep ducks as they forage on grass. It would be best if you go to a forum that specialises in ducks as they aren't easy to keep. I have 5 but they are in a large grassy paddock and have a big pond. They need secure housing at night, a secure paddock during the day and every time they quack, they poo so be prepared for a lot of scrubbing and cleaning.

Ducks seem like a cute idea but please believe me when I say that they require a lot of care and specific conditions. All 5 of mine are rescues from people who thought that they could look after ducks and found them too much....

giantmutantbroccoli

I used to keep muscovy ducks, they're a bit stranger than mallard type ducks but the basics are the same. Ours spent all their time foraging, I don't know how well ducks would manage on concrete where they can't do that.

Be warned. You will not believe the amount of manure just a few ducks can produce. So far I haven't found anything as offensive to the nostrils as duck poo, either. I'm hoping it really is the foulest substance known to man. By the way, a lot of ducks will cunningly wait until you pick them up before they 'let loose', don't know if it's nerves or some sort of defense but trust me there are no words for the eew factor on that. We had a wooden duck house, quite large, for six ducks, and it needed cleaning on a weekly basis. Depending on the size you may need to clean yours out more often. They'll also foul the water up rather quickly, so it needs to be in a container you can clean out.

Mallard ducks are fairly noisy. Muscovy ducks are, like I said, weird - they make hissing and huffing noises constantly, but only quack when they're frightened or startled. Probably not suitable though as they do grow very large and really like to wander. We never clipped ours, so they'd turn up in all sorts of odd places. Top of the car first thing in the morning was a favourite, but so was the roof. Step outside with a sandwich and you'd just hear the whuffwhuff noise of wings and suddenly you're being mobbed


If it's just eggs you're after have you considered chickens instead? They are a heck of a lot easier to look after, and you get a lot more back from them as well in terms of eggs and meat. They're cleaner and neater and will happily live with a drinker rather than a massive water container.

kjmtidea

It is actually my other half who wants to get the ducks, he has wanted them for years but I got my way and got 2 kittens Next month we will have more time so have decided to go for it and get 2 or 3 ducks.
I did discuss chickens with him but he wants ducks, he is quite happy to do all the cleaning so I am happy to help out!