Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 13:05:45 GMT
Hello! Does anyone keep free range ducks? Do they damage your garden plants or are they only interested in bugs? How well can they keep away from predators? My wife and I are interested in adding ducks but I dont want to set us up for constant heartache... thanks!
|
|
|
Post by bergere on Jun 14, 2015 13:36:07 GMT
I raised Dutch Hook Bill ducks when I lived in NW WA. They did free range in my pastures during the day, but even with my fencing locked up at night.
You will need a predator proof fence.... I had woven field fence and hot wire. Keep the ducks in and the predators out. Without it, you will loose your ducks.
I ran my ducks in my kitchen garden during the winter, as they ate all the bugs that were in the ground. Was a great way, to keep pests from being a problem in the garden. Also had a problem with Liverflukes and my sheep, ducks fixed that too.
Tried to run some Cayuga's when I moved to OR.... had some fencing but not good enough. All gone in one night. That was spendy and I knew better.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2015 15:32:29 GMT
I keep my ducks fenced up, I have had them for 1 1/2 years and just today we found two missing. We don't know if they wandered off (doubtful) or something got them. Ducks are very messy and I like to contain the mess. My gardens are all fenced ( because of deer, dogs and the goats) so I don't have to worry about the ducks getting in if I free ranged them because they can't fly well.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2015 13:02:29 GMT
Thank you both for your reply! janisr, I'm sorry about your recent loss I haven't checked to see what supplies I could recycle or what it would cost to do this, but - If I were able to fence in my garden and keep the ducks in there permanently - should I include a top on it? Any recomendations on what type of fencing? I'm thinking - 8 ft high so we can comfortably walk in / have some kind of fencing or wire on the ground so nothing can (easily) dig through / we'd keep a kiddie pool with water inside for the ducks to swim... any other ideas or suggestions? We are looking at adding goats in a couple of months also, so we need a good fence for the garden anyway.
|
|
|
Post by okiemomof3 on Jun 15, 2015 13:21:55 GMT
ducks need to be protected, at least night, because they can't fun fast or fly, so foxes can get them super easy. they are too heavy owls (most breeds). I do let mine out to free range with my chickens and i have turned them loose in my fenced garden to eat bugs. they don't scratch and they don't harm my plants, and only get the bugs.
|
|
|
Post by manygoatsnmore on Jun 15, 2015 22:10:45 GMT
Ducks love ripe tomatoes, nearly ripe tomatoes, and green tomatoes. Ask me how I know. In my experience, ducks are best kept fenced out of the garden during gardening season. During the winter, let them in to eat slugs.
|
|