Caring for Ducks
Ducks are amazing creatures, but here are some very basic things you should know about caring for them.
Ducks are Messy!
Ducks love to play in the mud and dig for grubs. Before getting ducks, understand that they will make a mess. If you are like me, you will love them all the more for their silly antics.
Food requirements
An average duck will consume about 0.5 lbs of feed each day. Most feed stores recommend a high quality layer feed for females and duck food for males. Duck food with oyster shell supplements for female ducks can be good as well. Calcium is a must for females to prevent egg binding and other reproductive mishaps.
Water Requirements
While ducks love a good dip in a pond, ponds are not necessary for good health. The top priority is making sure that they are provided with a deep bucket of water to rinse their nares in every day. Multiple water buckets are recommended to try to alleviate large amounts of dirt being accumulated in one bucket.
Housing Requirements
Ducks need a predator proof enclosure and a shelter to be locked in at night. Make sure to clean their coop often to prevent ammonia buildup that can cause health problems and moisture in the coop. To learn more about this topic, click the image to link to another article.
Male to Female Ratio
Only a certain number of males can be kept with female ducks. For most active breeds of ducks, 7 – 10 females per male is necessary to prevent overmating and harm to the female.