2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[ducky]

ive been considering getting a duck for my children and mostly me for a couple of years. I've got lots of questions and hoped someone could help me? Firstly what duck to get? I don't have a pond so want something thats not too bothered about water except for the odd swim in a paddling pool or ducking its head? Also I like Aylesbury ducks but are they really big? Ive got a fairly large garden in the a town? Wot duck do you think I should get I don't want it to be really noisy cos of the neighbours mainly, laying lots of eggs is a bonus but I'm not bother about huge amounts! It needs to be a friendly breed so that the children can handle it and look after it and also I don't want it to ruin all my flower beds do Aylesburys do this cos there so big? I've only ever had the usual pets growing up dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and fish and my dad has kept pigeons for 40 years??? so ive got quite a bit experience with animals but are ducks a lot different and do they need a lot of work as say a dog? Soooo many questions I hope someone can help cos after hours and hours of searching the internet I really need to make a decision? Lastly are they ok with cats and dogs once they grow I take it my cat won't try to kill it once its a good size? Sorry for the essay!!!!

[chicken bark]

I'm very new to Duck keeping (since Saturday ) and they do needs lots of work, but as with dogs you get rewarded for what you put in.

 

It could be simple with just providing a house, food and fresh water, but I'm discovering if you want them to come to you , you need to put in some leg work. I imagine this would be less the younger you get them.

 

I went for Cayuga's that are a heavy breed but have a very quiet quack so ideal for urban areas. Aylesbury's are a heavy breed and bigger than mine but other than that I don't know much about them. Very lovely ducks though - how I imagine a duck to look IYKWIM.

 

I'm only using a paddling pool and have already discovered that the water needs changing every other day.

 

I think you should go for it. I'm loving every minute of learning about them. I never knew their necks were so flexible.

[wuckyduckspenno]

Totally agree with Chicken Bark - they are sooooo rewarding

 

My Dad has a couple of Aylesburys ladies and they are big old girls so you will need more space than the mini silver appleyards I have.

 

Chicken Bark's Cayugas are stunning and you can get Black East Indians which are basically smaller versions of them. Personally I would start with a smaller bird as they make less mess. Some tips if they help:

 

- Set up a walk in run on a concrete/slab base with your pond/water tub on it to minimise digging near a water source. They get really messy and my Dad is now putting slabs down as his girls have dug their own pond

- if you don't have a walk in run then you will need to sort an electric fence to protect your ladies as the foxes are brazen and come out during the day and I would not wish finding a dead duck on anyone

- Get your girls as young as possible so you can imprint on them and as Chicken Bark says you need to dedicate time to them to get the reward of friendliness

- Although I have mini silver appleyards which are soooo friendly I also considered khaki campbells/Black East Indians and Cayugas. The omlet site has some good info on friendly breeds

 

They are really easy - I water and feed the girls first thing and they get a treat mid afternoon and a little nibble to tempt them to bed around 9pm and I only have to hose their pen down and change their bedding regularly.

 

Go for it and post the piccies when you have made your choice

 

Good luck

 

Wucky

[ducky]

Thanks for your comments its really helpful I'll have a look at the mini apples maybe an aylesbury isn't the best choice? Do you think I need to get two ducks then just wanted one girl but don't want it to be lonely?

[wuckyduckspenno]

Yep - you def need 2 girls. They will start laying eggs Feb/Mar next year and they will also keep themselves occupied as a pair - even if it is to peck affectionately at your trousers like my two have just been doing

 

Wucky

[miller30]

Hi i always do things in 3 now as if something happens to one of them you end up with a lonely sad duck leanne.

[Chucky1]

Leanne makes a good point - three is a good number

[corey12]

Wow I'm so glad to have found this forum! I absolutely love ducks and have been thinking of getting one for years but didn't know where to start. This info is great.

 

I guess my big questions are:

 

1. How do you keep them safe during the day? We have a lot of urban foxes in the area of London I live. I have a back garden and often see them in it so how do people go about keeping them safe? Do you keep them indoors for parts of the day or do you just have to build a really robust coup?

 

2. Where do people recommend you should buy them from?

 

3. Do people on here also have dogs? If so how have they found their dogs and ducks mixing? I have a pretty passive Bulldog. She basically wouldnt move unless you made her. That said if she see's a kite or a plastic water bottle she goes nuts... what are the chances she'd react that way with a duck I wonder?

 

Sorry if any of the above are too obvious or basic for people but would love owners feedback so I can weigh things up.

 

Cheers

[zoejames]

Hiya, I have had 'urban' ducks for many years now and there are some things you need to consider, if you do decide to get them they are well worth the effort!

 

If you don't have a pond or bathing facilities then get runner ducks or muscovy ducks, ALL ducks like to bathe and get their heads and backs wet, so at least offer them a paddling pool that they can stand in.

 

If you only get females they WILL call in mating season, which can be very very noisy! Noisiest breed are the little Call ducks.

 

You must get more than 1 as they are flock animals and will be very very miserable on their own.

 

If they are a fairly large breed they should be alright with your dog, but it's hard to say as each dog is different, you would have to see what happens there.

 

They will need secure fencing to be safe from foxes, I have my entire garden surrounded by 8 foot electric fencing with an overhang. An urban fox WILL take a duck, whatever size it is, especially during the colder months.

 

All ducks will 'dibble' in the grass, and ALL ducks will eat any greenery they can including all your prized flowers, they will also destroy your lawn when it rains. However.... foraging is their main activity during the day, if they cannot swim nor forage (if you keep them on concrete) they will be very bored frustrated duckies.

 

It's also worth remembering that concrete surfaces are very hard on their legs and they will suffer leg problems and probably pododermatitis if you do keep them on concrete.

 

If you have a nice large garden I would suggest you build a large enclosed pen that can be moved where the ducks have grass, perhaps a small paved area where you can put their bathing water (which will need changing every day), and their house which they will need to be put to bed in every night.

 

Do you have a supplier of duck pellets where you live? If not there are some online options I can let you have. I'm guessing you already know they cannot be fed bread? When laying they also need a supply of oyster shell. If you get them from a very young age they need a different feed than when they are older.

 

I'm not sure where people get them from, usually farms or breeders, but it's a bit late in the year to be able to buy ducklings. p.s. try here: http://www.waterfowlsanctuary.co.uk/pet_shop.htm

 

They are truly the most rewarding pets ever, but take a great deal of looking after for them to be happy. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

Zo

[corey12]

Wow thank you so much Zoe for your informative and thorough response. That was more than I was expecting and given me so much food for thought. I need to really have a think on some of the points you raise as I definitely don't want to make my duckies miserable so have to have everything in place well before I get them.

 

Thanks so much for your response. It was wonderful.

Thanks

Corey

[zoejames]

Welcome Feel free to message me with any questions!

Zo

[wuckyduckspenno]

Hi there - go for it is all I can say.

 

We live in a fairly urban area and have chosen to get a walk in run (WIR) built - really good size - 6 sq m for 2 x mini silver appleyards. I do have a concrete base as it makes it easier to keep clean by hosing down every other day or so and it reduced the pong. My breeder who is also a vet and shows his ducks advised this is absolutely fine and it is how he keeps his - but with access to the soft grass. However, I do agree with Zo that once they have been on the grass and had a chance to dibble (destruct it!) that is what they crave and if they see you are at home and not letting them out they will crane there necks and moan at you to come out!!. We manage to keep ours very happy by having the pond in their WIR with their Eglu on a raised platform so they have variety in their space as well as letting them out regularly. To be honest as long as they come out for a bit they soon retreat to sit on their pond in the WIR. On ebay you can get plastic tubs with plugs which are really handy to use as a small pond.

 

My 2 girls see me in the morning and then in the evening when I let them out for a roam. I also work from home a lot so I let them out during the day but have the door/window open to keep an ear out for them. My girls are not very quacky - I get a large hello every time i see them but they do not persist in quacking after the initial flurry or when I am not there (so the neghbours tell me!)

 

I would not be without them now and as chickenbark mentions above if you want any breed to be friendly you either need to get them very young or if 6-8 weeks you need to spend a lot of time with them and let them get used to eating from your hand or as mine do walking all over me and pecking my ears

 

In terms of security I agree with Zo that an electrcic fence is best - I cannot imagine how awful it would feel to come home to an attack on your girls.

 

If you want a good layer then a Khaki Campbell will do that for you - agree that call ducks are not the best if you want to keep your neigbours happy. Aylesburys are large and an effort and I am very biased towards my mini silvers as they are the right size for me and ultra friendly - also a big fan of Black East Indians (also small) and chickenbark's cayugas are fab!2 or 3 would be good as a starter!

 

Good luck and don't forget to post photos of your new arrivals when they come!!

 

Wucky

[porgia123]

i have 2 khaki campbells and one abacot ranger, the campbells are noisier than the ranger lol

but introduce your dog slowly please!! last night my jack russel terrier got my abacot ranger and she has open wounds on her back, and my run is dog proof. he just pushed his may in and locked his jaw on her, she played dead but once we got him off she got up, luckily he didnt get her air sac or there would have been a fatality lol but i love them to bits there characters are amazing, if you have cats i would say dont get a call duck as they are tiny , but campbells and cayugas are a very good choice