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Author Topic: Ducks in the City Lot
DIYSeattle
Administrator
Posts: 105
Post Ducks in the City Lot
on: January 25, 2011, 22:07

I had looked into ducks. As it turns out there are some ducks that do not fly. Are these ducks good layers? Do they stink and make a lot of noise? Do they need a pond to swim in?
OSUman
Moderator
Posts: 9
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: January 26, 2011, 11:01

The layer hybrids that i have seen are larger birds so i assume that they cant fly very well, if you have hen ducks you will have a problem with their noise, the drakes dont really make any noise, Muscovy ducks can fly but to abide bye the law you could have them pinioned so they cant fly also they dont make much noise at all. also ducks dont NEED a pond but they do heed a lot of water and they will find a way to make that water nasty.
Bad Boy-
Blue
Newbie
Posts: 15
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: January 27, 2011, 15:54

I have seen a few people who keep the khaki cambel ducks sucessfully on rooftop setups. Their coop was pretty darn messy but I heard they layed just as well as chickens. Ducks do not need a pond but they do need a dish or bowl where they can completley submerse their heads in the water to prevent eye and nostril problems.
Kestrel
Newbie
Posts: 23
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: January 27, 2011, 17:29

Muscovies, a good duck that will fly unless their wings are clipped, will probably not be the best layer, since they are extremely reproduction-oriented, and the hens purportedly “lay eggs and then desperately want to brood. ” (I quote loosely from a forgotten source. ) I can’t vouch for whether they “stink” or not, since I move mine at least once a day.

As for Khaki Campbells, ours, a free-ranging trio, are extremely peripatetic, but then, aren’t most birds, given a chance? I don’t recall seeing them fly, but they’ve probably just never had the urge. So I can’t vouch for whether they deal well with captivity. And they lay much better than scovies. Of course, this is one time when THEY would probably be more practically locked up. They find their own nesting places, and happily deposit their eggs there. Lacking hiding places, they are also content to just “drop them where they plop”…..like right in the middle of their muddy run.
blueduckli-
ngs
Newbie
Posts: 4
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: February 1, 2011, 17:51

I have indian runners. They can’t fly and they lay a jumbo egg each everyday. An average of about 300 eggs a year..more than chickens.
Indian runners stand upright and weigh 4 to 4.5 lbs.
They also eat all the bugs and slugs in the garden.
They live in a tractor that I push around, so the entire yard gets fertilized eventually.
I read Storey’s book on raising ducks. You’ll learn more than you need from this book. Available at KCLS.
Good luck.

Last summer the grass grew 3 times faster.

I am new to raising ducks…
I have a pair of blue Indian Runners and a female penciled Indian Runner.
Built my incubator & am ready waiting for my ducks to lay!!
Kestrel
Newbie
Posts: 23
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: February 1, 2011, 20:27

@Blueducklings: I see both you and I share a fondness for Storey’s Guides. We have at least half a dozen for different livestock (either ones we have or ones we might get in the future).

How much space do you raise your Indian runners on? Oh! and impressive egg capacities your fellas have there! (Or, should I say, your GIRLS have there, LOL!)

I’m not sure if we should be happy about grass growing tons faster or not?
Fertilizer=good. Mowing=bad. (Well, exercising is good….)
blueduckli-
ngs
Newbie
Posts: 4
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: February 1, 2011, 22:37

I have 3 runners right now and they are in a tractor that is 6′ X 8′. They sleep & lay their eggs in the loft “upstairs” and playdownstairs.
I am planning to buy some ducklings from the Holderreads later this week if you are interested in ducks, I can split an order with you.
Their website is : http://www.holderreadfarm.com

I am new to raising ducks…
I have a pair of blue Indian Runners and a female penciled Indian Runner.
Built my incubator & am ready waiting for my ducks to lay!!
Kestrel
Newbie
Posts: 23
Post Re: Ducks in the City Lot
on: February 2, 2011, 18:11

@Blueducklings: Sorry, I am not interested in splitting up an order, though Holderreads’ policy of shipping only “robust” birds is an attractive one for sure!

You have any pictures of aforesaid duck tractor? :D
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