Can you raise ducks in your backyard? Yes, with the proper care.
Raising ducks in your backyard can be a rewarding and entertaining experience. Ducks are not only a great source of fresh eggs, but they can also help control pests in your garden and add character to your outdoor space. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how you can successfully raise backyard ducks, discussing factors such as breed selection, housing, feeding, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced backyard poultry keeper, this article will provide valuable information to help you make the most of your duck-raising experience.
Advantages of Raising Ducks in Your Backyard
Ducks provide many benefits as backyard companions. Here are some of the advantages of raising ducks in your backyard:
Egg Production
Ducks are known for being prolific egg layers. Some breeds can lay up to 300 eggs per year, providing you with a steady supply of fresh, nutritious eggs for your family. Duck eggs are larger and have a richer taste than chicken eggs, making them an excellent choice for baking.
We have 14 ducks. Eight of them are female. In the height of laying season we can get a dozen eggs a day! Most days we get around 6-8.
Pest Control
Ducks are natural foragers and will happily help control pests in your garden. They love to eat slugs, snails, insects, and weed seeds, making them a valuable addition to your backyard ecosystem.
Entertainment and Companionship
Ducks have unique personalities and can be quite entertaining to watch as they waddle around your yard, bathe, and interact with each other. They are social animals and enjoy the company of other ducks, making them ideal for keeping in small groups.
Low Maintenance
Compared to chickens, ducks are relatively low maintenance. They are hardy animals, resistant to disease and cold weather, and require less elaborate housing. This makes them a great choice for busy backyard poultry keepers.
Choosing the Right Breed for Your Backyard
There are several duck breeds suitable for backyard keeping. When selecting a breed, consider factors such as egg production, size, temperament, and noise levels. Here are a few popular breeds for backyard ducks:
Khaki Campbell
Khaki Campbells are excellent layers, producing up to 300 eggs per year. They are a medium-sized duck breed, making them suitable for smaller backyards. Their calm temperament and relatively low noise levels make them a popular choice for suburban settings.
Indian Runner
Indian Runner ducks are known for their upright posture and unique walking style. They are also prolific layers, producing 200 to 300 eggs per year. Indian Runners are highly active foragers and will happily help control pests in your garden.
Our ducks are Indian Runners.
Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequins are a smaller breed, known for their attractive plumage and good egg production. They are friendly and calm ducks, making them ideal for families with children.
Pekin
Pekin ducks are larger, making them suitable for larger backyards. They are good seasonal layers and are often raised for their meat as well. Pekins have a friendly and calm temperament, making them popular backyard companions.
Housing Your Backyard Ducks
Can you raise ducks in your yard if you don’t have a large space?
Proper housing is essential for keeping your ducks safe and healthy. Here are some tips on setting up suitable duck housing:
Shelter
Ducks require a sheltered area to protect them from the elements and predators. A simple shed-like structure or a modified chicken coop will suffice. The shelter should have a minimum of three to five square feet of floor space per duck if they are housed only at night. If ducks are kept inside during severe weather, providing eight to 15 square feet per bird is recommended.
Fencing
Ducks should be kept in a securely fenced yard to protect them from predators. Woven wire or netting at least four feet high is recommended. In areas with known predators such as raccoons, weasels, or large owls, it is safer to lock ducks in a predator-proof pen or building at night.
Bedding
A thick layer of dry straw, sand, leaves, or wood shavings should be used as bedding in the duck shelter. This will help keep the shelter clean and dry and provide a comfortable nesting area for your ducks.
Plan on cleaning your duck shelter often as they love to make a mess. Keeping their shelter dry and their water clean will also cut down on the smell.
Lighting
For consistent egg production, ducks require a minimum of 13 to 14 hours of light daily. During the shorter days of the year, supplemental lighting may be needed. A 25-watt clear or white bulb located five to six feet above the floor level will provide sufficient illumination for approximately 100 square feet of ground space.
We do not provide supplemental lighting for our ducks and rely only on natural lighting. That does mean egg production decreases when the days get shorter. It also means we don’t have any eggs for 2-3 months of the year. However, we feel the break is important for the health of our ducks.
Feeding Your Backyard Ducks
A balanced diet is essential for the health and productivity of your ducks. Here are some tips on feeding your backyard ducks:
Commercial Feed
Non-medicated layer pellets are a complete feed for egg-laying ducks. Pellets are preferred over crumbles or mashes, as ducks waste less food when fed pellets. Feed can be provided in a trough or hopper feeder, or given twice daily in quantities that the ducks will consume in 10 to 15 minutes.
Greens and Scraps
Ducks enjoy a variety of greens and vegetable scraps. Crush harder vegetables such as carrots and celery before offering them to your ducks, as they are unable to break larger pieces with their bill.
Calcium Supplements
Ducks require additional calcium to support strong eggshells. Offering calcium-rich products such as shell grit will allow ducks to supplement their diet as needed.
Fresh Water
Ducks need a constant supply of fresh drinking water. This is important for their overall health and for maintaining egg production. Water containers should be at least four to six inches deep to allow ducks to clean their bills and eyes.
Ducks LOVE to poop in their water. When they do, it does smell pretty bad. Keeping their water fresh will cut down on the smell.
Managing Duck Health and Hygiene
Maintaining a clean, healthy environment is essential for the well-being of your backyard ducks. Here are some tips on managing duck health and hygiene:
Clean Housing
Regularly clean the duck shelter and replace bedding to keep the environment sanitary and dry. This will help prevent the spread of disease and keep your ducks healthy.
Drinking Water
Provide clean drinking water for your ducks by changing it at least several times weekly. This will help prevent the buildup of bacteria and contaminants in the water.
Disease Prevention
Ducks are generally hardy animals and resistant to disease. However, it is essential to monitor your flock for signs of illness and seek veterinary advice if needed.
Can you raise ducks in your backyard? Check to see if there is a vet in your area that can offer the proper services.
Dealing with Duck Noise and Neighbors
Can you raise ducks in your backyard? Check with your neighbors, your HOA, and city ordinances first!
Duck noise can be a concern for those living in close proximity to neighbors. Here are some tips on managing duck noise and maintaining good relations with your neighbors:
Choose Calm Breeds
Some duck breeds are quieter than others. Calmer breeds like Khaki Campbell and Welsh Harlequin are less likely to disturb your neighbors with excessive quacking.
Communicate with Neighbors
Keep an open line of communication with your neighbors, letting them know about your ducks and the steps you are taking to minimize noise. This can help prevent misunderstandings and maintain a positive relationship with your neighbors.
Raising Ducklings
Raising ducklings can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips on caring for your growing ducklings:
Feeding Ducklings
Ducklings should be fed poultry grower pellets up to the age of 20 weeks, along with the opportunity to forage in a safe, protected area.
Duckling Housing
Provide ducklings with a warm, dry, and spacious pen with non-slip flooring. Smooth, slippery floors can cause leg problems in adult ducks.
Supervision and Protection
Monitor the ducklings closely and protect them from predators and hazards in their environment. Keep them warm and dry and provide fresh drinking water at all times.
We keep all duckings indoors in a brooder until they are big enough and the outside temperature is warm enoug
Integrating Ducks with Other Backyard Animals
Can you raise ducks in your backyard if you have other animals?
Ducks can usually coexist peacefully with other backyard animals, such as chickens or rabbits. However, it is essential to monitor their interactions and ensure that all animals have adequate space and resources to prevent conflict.
Our guineas and chickens sometimes end up in the duck area. We haven’t had any issues. Our ducks and geese live in the same area and get along great, but the geese were raised with the ducks and introduced when they were still smaller than the ducks.
We have two dogs that interact well with the ducks and two that don’t. We keep the two that don’t completely away from the ducks.
Handling and Transporting Ducks
Ducks should be handled gently and with care to prevent injury. When catching and holding ducks, grasp them securely by the neck and then place one hand over each wing to calm them down. Lift the bird from the ground, resting its weight on your forearm, with its head facing backward and its wings pinned against your body.
Final Thoughts
Raising ducks in your backyard can be a rewarding experience, providing you with fresh eggs, natural pest control, and entertaining companionship. By carefully selecting the right breed, providing proper housing and nutrition, and maintaining a clean and healthy environment, you can enjoy the many benefits of backyard ducks. So, can you raise ducks in your backyard? Absolutely! With the right knowledge and commitment, you can successfully raise happy, healthy ducks that will enrich your outdoor space and your life.
We love raising ducks!
