batcatz Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Hi, just wondered if people kept pet ducks in small urban gardens? I know they are messing and noisy, but I don't mind and I have lovely neighbours. My garden is about 12 ' width by 60' long so not that small. Ducks could go out with the chickens most days, but otherwise they would be in a seperate run possibly at the side of my house which is concrete so they could have a hose dripping into a large tub for constant water to dunk their heads in. Is 4'x10' too small for 2 ducks e.g silver appleyard or bigger ducks like aylesbury? Alternatively they could have half my patio once I extend it. In winter I wouldn't let them out so much and sometimes they would have to stay in the run all day. I've experienced winter with chickens. I know they need twice as much space as chickens. I can''t stop reading about them. Just thought I'd ask as if it's not fair on the ducks I will wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Hi sounds good to me i have 10 ducks 9 chickens ones broody at the mo sitting on 8 eggs in an urban garden whereabouts in hampshire are you leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Oh cool! Thanks. I spent all evening looking up photos of ducks (again). There are three breeds I like now! cayuga, silver appleyard and aylesbury or white pekin. I'm thinking these all might be too large and I should go for a light duck breed. White duck is essential as I need a Jemima Puddleduck. lol. More research required. I'm not planning to get them just yet. I'd also like to hatch my own ducks so they imprint on me. I live in Southsea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Hi i forgot to say some females can be loud would your neighbours mind and also if you hatch them out you could end up with drakes im in fareham and your more than welcome to come and see mine and get a free lesson on keeping ducks leanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 i have a pair if miniture silver appleyards they are a perfect size and are very lovable pets hope you get your ducks soon they are so funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted May 20, 2010 Author Share Posted May 20, 2010 Hi i forgot to say some females can be loud would your neighbours mind and also if you hatch them out you could end up with drakes im in fareham and your more than welcome to come and see mine and get a free lesson on keeping ducks leanne. Hi, my neighbours are nice. They didn't mind when I had noisy cockateils and even said they loved the noise! I actually found it annoying at 5am haha. I haven't had any complaints about the hens when they do their egg song, but that's only for half an hour some afternoons. I'm looking for fairly quiet ducks, but I know all ducks can quack loudly, as long as it is not constant it should be okay. For example I wouldn't get call ducks as much as I think they are soooo cute. Hopefully, it would be okay, but I'd mention it to my close neighbours first. I told one who laughed and mentioned the size of eggs. She actually buys chicken eggs from me and also wants a parrot. I'm not sure about ending up with drakes if I hatch. I'll research into how hard it is to sell them or give them away first. I thought it might be easier than a cockerel. The noise wouldn't be a problem unlike cockerels so I could keep them for longer, but I understand they can fight so space will be a problem. I'm not rushing into this as still lots to think about, but would love to come n see your ducks. I'm thinking of getting smaller ducks now so they get more space in a run. I need to see some different breeds to get an idea of what size would be best for my garden. Large Fowl chicken size or medium would be fine. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted May 20, 2010 Author Share Posted May 20, 2010 i have a pair if miniture silver appleyards they are a perfect size and are very lovable pets hope you get your ducks soon they are so funny Hi, I've been looking at these or campbell's as they would have more space in a run due to their size. Do you clip their wings and are they noisy? Do they quack loudly all day long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 My pair of Aylesburys live in the WIR with the chickens + they get on ok now ... intros took a long time though. I use 2 big tub trugs as a 'pond' and they're great - really easy to empty + then jet-wash to clean. Another thing is that they don't put themselves to bed at night, like the chickens do. I go up + put them in the Go/wendy house but leave the door open and they just come back out so I leave them in the WIR Nugget ( ) is broody + has stolen 2 of the ducks eggs so I'm hoping we might have a duckling or 2 soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted May 21, 2010 Author Share Posted May 21, 2010 My pair of Aylesburys live in the WIR with the chickens + they get on ok now ... intros took a long time though. I use 2 big tub trugs as a 'pond' and they're great - really easy to empty + then jet-wash to clean. Another thing is that they don't put themselves to bed at night, like the chickens do. I go up + put them in the Go/wendy house but leave the door open and they just come back out so I leave them in the WIR Nugget ( ) is broody + has stolen 2 of the ducks eggs so I'm hoping we might have a duckling or 2 soon Ahh, bless Nuggest. That is cute. I like your setup. It would be good to just have one run for chickens and ducks with a seperate house for the ducks. Are aylesburys noisy and very large? I've seen them before, just can't remember. I want to train ducks to go to bed when I say bedtime. I only let my chickens out when I'm in the garden as I have seen foxes in daylight before. eek. I plan to use buckets for head dunking, tub trugs as I already have 2 and I might get a little kids turtle pool. I decided to make a little pond at the end of my garden yesterday, but it's for a frog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I had a cherry valley which looks like a aylesbury and she had a gob big enough to wake the dead her name was salt she got egg bound complications and died last june i still miss her now even if she did have a big mouth i have also had proper aylesburys and they were loud as well also i would think about maybe 3 ducks as i never do anything in twos anymore as if one dies your left with a rather lonely duck i have khakis campbells and i have never clipped their wings have a look at www.warraweeduckfarm.co.uk the ladies called nicky janaway this is where i got some of my ducks including salt she vent sexes so your garanteed girls its in copythorne not far from paultons you can buy from day olds or older hope this helps a bit more leanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I'm not sure if mine are pure Aylesburys (friends bought them for my 18th ) but they aren't really big - similar size to a LF hen Jemima is loud though! Anything can set her off + the pair of them always have to be together or they scream like mad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted May 27, 2010 Author Share Posted May 27, 2010 Thanks, stil thinking about getting ducks. My list of potential breeds is now: Welsh Harlequin white campbell cayagu mini appleyard black east indian muscovy - but think they are too large. So when I have housing ready for them I will go and look at some and listen how noisy they are. Depending on size I'd get 2 or 3 ducks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 sorry i did not get back to you sooner cliped my min silver appleyards last year when they were 20 wks old not neede to do them this year as they do not try to fly (poss to fat lol) they are pretty quiet Daisymay has quite a load quack but only when she wants food or some attention Donnald is much quieter he is constantly quacking at the moment as Daisymay is sitting and he is lonly so i am hoping to get females if they hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 sorry i did not get back to you sooner cliped my min silver appleyards last year when they were 20 wks old not neede to do them this year as they do not try to fly (poss to fat lol)they are pretty quiet Daisymay has quite a load quack but only when she wants food or some attention Donnald is much quieter he is constantly quacking at the moment as Daisymay is sitting and he is lonly so i am hoping to get females if they hatch Hi, that's ok. Thanks for the info, I'll prob clip wings just in case. I haven't taken the plunge yet! Still thinking about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 i took my 2 to the local vet it was a lot easier than trying to do it myself i was worried if one of them flaped as i cut i could have cut down to far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
