Chortle Chook Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 I've noticed that there are a lot fewer constant contributers to the duck part of the Omlet forum than the chicken part. Is it because ducks are hardier - so have fewer problems to ask about, or is it because there is just not the same popularity around backyard duck keeping as chicken keeping because they are more difficult to keep? (Or is it just that duck owners are more pragmatic than chicken owners and chat about / indulge their critters less?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balti Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 You could be right. But i wonder what proportion of people are on here have chickens compared to ducks? I would love to have ducks, and am sure i would be adding my questions on here if i had them. But from my research they are harder to keep, most need water, they are muckier and i think not as convenient to keep. I know i have searched for a nice duck house ( I would like indian runners ) and i would need a sufficient run attached to the house to keep them in when i didn't want them running round. I cannot find one i like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 My little call ducks are yet to arrive but according to all the books I've read and the Domestic Fowl Trust they don't need huge amounts of water - a tin bath or similar would do. As for the house, have you seen the Flyte so Fancy Puddle Duck House which has been designed explicitly for runners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balti Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Mm not badly priced. I guess i could source a run to put it in. I suppose i should try and sort a bit of harmony out with the chicks first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Ducks are hardier than chickens, I keep both! I worm them when I worm the chickens as they all eat the same food. They don't appeer to get lice and mites however I do treet their in the same way I treet the chickens . The eggs are more regular, 1 a day of each without fail from March and they are very tasty. They will go off lay in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balti Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Yes i think they are quite messy? , and the smaller the space you have the worse it all becomes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
