ails Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Help! My friends son arrived home last night with a young duck apparently he passed a farm with a sign advertsing ducks for sale and decided to buy one. His parents were none too impressed esp as the poor little duck is clearly lonely on its own. My friends have now asked if we would take the duck into live with our 3 chickens. I have no idea what type of duck it is - it is black/dark brown with a tiny bit of white on the underside of its neck. It has black legs and feet and a black beak/bill. Anyone any idea what tye of breed it might be? It still has quite fluffy down like feathers. Apparently when Tim bought it he was told it was 3 weeks old and would happily live on weetabix. Will one duck integrate with 3 chickens? Will it be able to eat layers mash and layers pellets? How nosy will a duck be? Bit worried our neighbours might not be impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffordmum Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 kids! - great aren't they Whilst I'm no eggspert on ducks, I will say my neighbour keeps one with a whole load of bantams - quite happy it is too Pretty sure Weetabix isn't the answer tho'. This one eats what the chickens do - layers pellets and mixed corn ... She keeps a lil' paddling pool within the coop so it can do what ducks do. Apart from that, it happily follows the chickens around all day - one big family As for the noise, well we live rurally and so it's not an issue for us. How irresponsible for these ppl to sell to a child in the first instance Shame you don't know if it's make or female - at least then you'd know whether to expect eggs Good luck and keep us posted ... Kind rgds, Pat & Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Could they no take it back to where he got it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Hi Yes mash and even better chicken pellets are fine for a duck(they can eat them when they are quite small) But there up keep is very different to chickens they wont be able to go up ramps etc they just sleep on the floor and mess everywhere they like. Ducks do need some water to put their head under. The duck would be better with other ducks really?? I am surprised too that someone would sell ONE duck! to a child with possibly no concern for its welfare?? People do keep them together but make sure the chickens arent going to attack it. rehoming with ducks would be better option good luck indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Don't feed mash to ducks - it can clog their nostrils as they eat differently to hens - ducks sccop their food, hens peck. I would suggest it was taken back to whoever sold it and a right telling off be given - how irresponsible to sell a duck to a child and give poor information about how to keep it. Ducks are better off with other ducks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 It sounds like it might be a Campbell duck I agree with the others, it needs returning by the childs parents with a stern word, don't let them pass the problem on to you! It will make a mess of your chicken's run and house, ducks need keeping in a separate pen with other ducks where they can make all the mess they like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
