New home for Ducks

Ding Dong

I will be getting a few ducks soon and they will be in an enclosed run with house etc. I will be letting them out to forage in the garden, but how long should I have them enclosed so that they will recongnise their new home and not wander off if I let them out?

LisaO

If you can, collect your new ducks & bring them home in the evening & then put them straight in their new house & shut them in for the night. The next day, just let them into the run, with access to their house,food, water. You will be able to judge from their behaviour if they are settling OK & then maybe let them out to free-range the next day or day after.

Just a word of caution - ducks are much more difficult to "herd" than hens, so try to avoid having to herd them into their house if you can. We find waiting until it is dark & using a torch the easist way! In my experience, ducks tend to stay out later than chickens & often don't go in until it is quite dark!

Enjoy your new ducks - what kind are you getting?

Ding Dong

Thanks for that! Im not sure which breed yet. No heavy breeds anyway. Im looking for a breed thats not too noisy, cant fly and would stay near enough to the house etc. Any suggestions?

LisaO

Campbells, Indian Runners, Aylesburys should all fit the bill. A look at the Omlet site might be useful:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Ducks&cat=About Ducks