Showing posts with label Ducks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ducks. Show all posts

Saturday, October 17, 2020

How To Raise DUCKS - Simple Tips To Help You In Keeping Ducks Whatever Your Reason Is

(Cairina moschata) with wings outstretched
(Cairina moschata) with wings outstretched (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Raising ducks has become more popular. Ducks can bring interest and variety to your life. Ducks can be a good source of income too. People raise them for meat or for eggs. Whatever your reasons, this guide will help you learn how to raise ducks.

The first thing to consider is your duck breed. Peking ducks are the most popular. People often visualize this white duck as the stereotype whenever they plan on raising ducks. However, there are other duck breeds that you can prefer. Another breed, the Rouen duck breed is also popular. The Muscovy duck is a good choice for pasture. Ornamental duck breeds like Wood Ducks and Mandarin Ducks are also good choices. You can always check a good guide on how to raise ducks whenever you encounter any issues.

Incubating and brooding your own duck eggs and ducklings can be considered as a start. People often use a broody chicken to hatch their duck eggs while others use incubators; the choice is yours. If you prefer artificial incubation, you may use incubators that does not require manual turning of eggs. You can choose hens if you choose to use chicken incubation as they make excellent mothers. A good choice is the Silkie breed.

Duck eggs may take about 28-30 days to hatch. They hatch longer than chickens. Other breeds like the Muscovy duck, may take up to 35 days before the eggs begin hatching.

Another important aspect on how to raise ducks is brooding. As soon as the ducklings hatch, they should be placed in a brooder. If you are using the chicken brooding method, however, the hen will do the job. Put a soft litter and make sure that the duck brooder is clean and dry. You can use wood shavings or corncob for your litter. Put a 250-watt lamp to ensure that your ducklings are getting adequate heat. About 90 degrees Fahrenheit temperature should be maintained; it should be decreased by 5 degrees on the succeeding weeks.

Chick feeds can be used as an alternative when feeding your ducklings. They are high in protein and will aid the growth of your ducks. Once they grow, you can use grower feeds for chicken. You can use an ordinary poultry waterer for their water. But make sure that the ducklings can dip their entire head and beak into it. Ducks need plenty of fresh, clean water just like any other waterfowls.
Ponds and pools are not often necessary but make sure that you put a place to keep their heads wet. If you are using a chicken coop to raise your ducks, make sure that there is plenty of space for them to roam. Brooding ducklings need about a half of a square foot. This should be doubled as they grow older.

Now you know how to raise ducks. Raising ducks can be hard but is very rewarding.



Wednesday, December 26, 2018

A Duck For a Pet, in the House, Wears Diapers - Yes!


(Cairina moschata) with wings outstretched
(Cairina moschata) with wings outstretched (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is surprising to hear and not many people have heard of this but; yes there are ducks that live in human homes. It is very rare but, seems to be occurring more often these days. Ducks are becoming domesticated in several areas of the country. Believe it or not, Ducks make great pets.

There is a lot involved in the care of having a Duck for a Pet. There is also a lot of learning to be done. Most families receive their ducks for Easter as gifts. Then families have no idea what to do with their duck. Families start to realize that their new duck is not around her/his mom and other ducklings that they need to grow and survive. Right after Easter, many families (if they care) have to start researching about Duck Care. Most families decide to give away their precious duck after they get them and bond with them. It is important for families to know that, within a few days of having their duck he/she has already "imprinted" with them. The family becomes his/her pack. What most families should do is learn how to care for this precious Duck without the neglect of leaving her outside, in a pen all day, and with no attention. This duck they have will need the love, affection, care, and attention that our other pets in their family always receive.

Nowadays, most duck owners start with the internet. The search can be started by searching for information on house training a duck, duck diapers, what to feed a duck, duck as pets, and much more. Pet Duck Care and Duck Diapers are easy to find in the search engines. More people are raising Ducks for Pets. But, some advice to be taken; there are all sorts of different opinions and advice for Domestic Duck and Goose Care. Pet duck owners will have to do some studying of on the different duck care sites and services that are now easier to find on the internet.

In the beginning, it will be very hard to care for this Duck. You see, ducks are very clean creatures in one way but, very messy in another. The messy part of a duck is the "Poop". It will be all over if you do not control it. If you are thinking of a way to "litter train" your duck...that will Never happen. The only thing that will control the duck poop is "The Miracle Duck Diapers". What a lifesaver and difference they will make. The diapers will allow your duck baby to be in the house anytime that he/she has the harness and diaper on. There are also Duck Outfits that are adorable and fun to sports ducks around in.

Not only will the new duck love being in the house with you but, he/she will just love to be in the duck bath more. Do not let them have baths for a few weeks though. They can get very ill and die is they are put into a cold bath within the first few weeks of their lives. They can also drown. The favorite thing for most ducks is bath time, rather it is by sprinkler, hose, or a special bath. They love outside kiddie pools so much and will literally swim, splash, and have a great time. Most ducks love to be out in the yard, graze the grass, and eat bugs. Their favorite bugs are mealworms. You can even raise your own mealworms. There are instructions for that on YouTube. Mealworms are getting pretty costly. If you raise them, not only will it be more economical, but there will also be more of an abundance of the worms.

If you do have or get a duck, it is important to know Exactly what their most favorite thing to do is. Their most favorite thing in the entire world is To Be With You or their Family. If you raise your duck from a little bitty baby, they "imprint" on you. You and the family become their "pack". If you put your "imprinted" duck with other ducks...your duck will not know what to do. Many people get and give ducks for Easter Gifts. Then they keep them until they are tired of them and then they dump them off where other ducks live. Big mistake! Those folks are setting their duck up for Death. A "Human Imprinted Duck" does not know how to survive with other ducks. Other ducks will not accept her/him either, and the "human imprinted duck" will not survive. Most often getting or giving a Duck for Easter is a Big Mistake. If you get or give a Duck for Easter, then you better be Serious about having one.



Did you know that Ducks have a lifespan of 20 years? It is true. It all depends on the care that they receive and the ailments that they endure.

If you are one who does have a duck or is serious about getting one, then you are more then likely looking for the right care. Experienced advice is to trust The "Gooses Mother and Father" site. You will be able to learn: the proper feeding for a duck, training, how to maintain good health for your duck, how to treat ailments or infections, and much, much more.

Just learn all that you can and the journey with your duck will be a great and a rewarding success.



Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Different Types of DUCKS - What You Need to Know Before You Start to RAISING DUCKS

English: Tradewinds park, coconut Creek, Flori...
Cairina moschata or Muscovy duck with ducklings.
(Photo credit: 
Wikipedia)
Raising ducks do not need to be hard if you know your reason. Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than the swans and geese, and may be found in both freshwater and seawater. Some people use "duck" specifically for adult females and "drake" for adult males, others use "hen" and "drake", respectively. Somehow, they are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons or divers, grebes, gallinules, and coots. Ducks are generally raised for eggs but when snail food gets scarce, they are sold for meat.

Before you start raising ducks, here are the different types for you to consider:

Egg - Type Ducks

1) Khaki Cambell Duck

Khaki Campbell ducks have characteristics brown color, have extremely active habits, do well in good range and show little desire for swimming. These ducks are good layers, they lay as many as 300 or more eggs a year which are fairly large, thick-shelled and weigh 70 to 75 grams each. The body weight at the point of lay is about 1.50kg. On the average, this duck could lay 285 eggs up to 72 weeks of age, with a mean egg weight of 75kg. This duck can be distinguished by their pure white feathers. Their eggs are either white or greenish.

2) Indian Runner
The Indian Runner Duck is a breed of domestic duck. They are native to the Indian-sub-continent and Malaysia. The breed, it is thought, was first brought to Europe via Whitehaven, Cumbria in the United Kingdom, by a sea captain prior to 1835, as they were exhibited at the London Zoological Gardens by this date.

This duck assumes a very erect normal posture with is the almost straight neck. The back is long, straight and narrow. An adult weighs about 2.10kg, while an adult weighs about 1.80kg. The egg production characteristics of this breed resemble that of the Khaki Campbell.

3) Tsaiya
This breed was developed in Taiwan. The original color ranges from black neck to pure white. Due to farmers preference, the brown breed was selected and raised as a major variety, while the white variety was developed for the production of mule ducks. Tsaiya ducks have small body size. An adult female weighs about 1.30kg, while the male weighs about 1.40kg.



Meat - Type Ducks

1) Muscovy Duck

The Muscovy Duck is a large duck which is native to Mexico and Central and South America. Muscovy is a heavy breed. It has a plump body and yellow skin. It has three varieties: the white, the colored and the blue. Unlike other breeds, Muscovy ducks prefer to stay on land.

All Muscovy Ducks have long claws on their feet and a wide flat tail. The drake (male) is about 86 cm long and weighs 4.6-6.8 kg, while the hen (female) is much smaller, at 64 cm in length and 2.7-3.6 kg in weight; domesticated males often weigh up to 8 kg, and domesticated females up to 5 kg.

2) Pekin Duck
Pekin duck was bred from the Mallard in China. The ancestors of those ducks originated from the canals which linked waterways in Nanjing, not Beijing, and originally had small bodies and black feathers. Sometimes it is mistaken for a goose because it carries its body rather upright. Pekin ducks are good layers, and duckling is ready for market at 2 or 3 months old.



Saturday, March 24, 2018

RUBBER DUCKS :-)

Three rubber ducks in foam bath
Three rubber ducks in foam bath (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some types of toys out there just seem to be a natural part of our culture. Most of us can remember bathing as a child with a yellow rubber duck. We also offer them for our own children. They offer plenty of entertainment and amusement in the bathtub while you are washing your child. In many instances, it will encourage them to actually get in there and to take a bath.

The earlier forms of rubber ducks were made from real rubber but today mostly synthetic materials are used. If you read the label you will likely find they are made of vinyl plastic. Of course, they are still called rubber ducks as we are just used to that. They also look the same as they once did. You will find rubber ducks in various sizes and even some different colors than yellow. You can even get a mother duck with several babies so your child will have a whole set to enjoy while bathing.

There are some rubber ducks that don’t make any sounds but the majority of them make a squeaking sound when you squeeze them. It doesn’t’ t really sound like a real duck but it is a fairly similar sound nonetheless. Some of them will even squirt water out of the mouth when they get squeezed. Children love these types of activities while they are playing in the water. In fact, they may come to view bath time as play time if they have some rubber ducks to play with.

You will find that some companies have started to release rubber ducks with different features. They may be dressed as various characters instead of just a plain old duck. Some of them are decorative for the different holidays while others are dressed as pirates, princesses, and other great images that children seem to take to very well.



Rubber ducks are very inexpensive and you can find them at many retail stores. Some people search for them in the toy aisle but they won’t usually be found there. Instead look at the bubble bath for children and you will likely find them. If your child is with you let them pick out a couple they really like. 




Sunday, February 4, 2018

How To Raise Ducks As Pets - Top Tips On Raising Ducks For Beginners

Photo: Wikimedia
Having a pet is a true delight. While most consider dogs as great pets, there are other animals and birds which people choose to have as their pets. Among these are ducks. These birds are very affable. They love to seek attention, too. Some people, though, think that raising them is rather weird and their only purpose is for their eggs or meat. They have no clue as to how to raise ducks as pets. 

Gardeners, however, find these creatures useful as they feed on bugs. These aquatic creatures are also a pleasure to look at. Children adore them very much.

It is thrilling to have ducks in our backyard. However, it is required of you to know how to raise ducks as pets. Ducks mature at about 7 months after hatching and they may live up to 10 years.
When considering raising ducks, you must make sure that a body of water is near. You should also at least 10 feet of yard space per duck. Once you have these, the rest is easy.

You should be knowledgeable about ducks' nature, eating habits and other important facts if you intend to raise ducks as pets. There are also a lot of tips that will tell you how to raise ducks as pets. You need to learn how to make them happy. One example is that ducks are social birds and should not be raised alone. A lone duck may feel lonely and show awkward, shy behavior. Be sure to raise it with a partner. It may be wise to keep one male and several females. Males can get too active when they mate and one female may not be able to handle it.

Be sure to create a shelter for your pets which will keep them from cruel weather conditions. It can be made from light materials like wood. Always check that it is kept dry and make sure to cover the ducks from the rain.

It shouldn't be surprising that ducks love water. It is ideal to have the shelter near a body of water so that the ducks can exercise and swim. If you choose to have an artificial pond, change the water regularly.

You now have the basics on how to raise ducks as pets. Raising them as pets has great benefits. Be sure to constantly observe the right pet care and ask the help of experts when needed. Ducks are attention-seekers, so remember to shower them with love.

    Are you looking for more tips on caring for ducks as pets? If you think you still need guidance on where to start, consulting existing duck owners and farmers will certainly be a big help. If you would like to learn more about how to raise ducks correctly, go to Raising Ducks Tip site.
    Article Source: EzineArticles


Wednesday, January 24, 2018

MALLARD DUCK

Two Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Male a...
Two Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Male and female. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Mallard duck is the most common species you will find around. It can be found in areas around the world where there are fairly warm temperatures. Most of them head down South for the winter months though. They feature beautiful colors and you can easily tell the males from the females. Only the male Mallard ducks feature the beautiful emerald green color on their heads and upper body. The females feature a very light tan or brown color in that area of their body.

During the warmer times of the year, it is common to find Mallard ducks relaxing on the waters of ponds and small lakes. They quickly catch on to the fact that people will come to these areas to feed them. Their natural diet consists of seeds, plants, and even small fish and frogs. They will also eat bread and popcorn when people come around with it. In fact, they will fight each other for it even though they aren’t hungry. They will consume all that is coming their way.

Even so, Mallard ducks are considered to be a wild type of duck. They are decedents of the various forms of domestic ducks out there though. They do seem to be comfortable around people. Those that have become accustomed to getting fed by them will even go up to people and take what they have to offer. 

Mallard ducks breed quite easily as long as their basic needs are being met. They will lay approximately 10 eggs at a time. The young ducks will hatch in about 60 days and the mother will take very good care of them. They know how to swim instinctively from the moment they hatch. She will teach them how to stay away from predators as well as how to search for food. They are very loving and caring mothers to their young babies. 

Some individuals keep Mallard ducks as pets. They have a small pond on their property that they ducks live on. If they have well cared for them will return to the same location year after year. Some people put them in cages but they tend not to do well in such isolation. They will refuse to eat and many will die if you don’t allow them to have the freedom to explore. 




Monday, January 1, 2018

Wood DUCKS

Wood Duck public domain from USFWS
Wood Duck public domain from USFWS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The wood duck offers many beautiful colors on its body for people to enjoy. It is commonly referred to as the Carolina duck as well but they are the same species. Some people mistake full grown wood ducks for younger ones though because they don’t grow to be as large as many other types of ducks you will see. You will find the males have more colors than the females even though both of them are extremely attractive. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the eyes. Females have a white ring around them while males are just red in color.

Wood ducks are found in many areas of the United States, especially along the west coast due to the very warm weather. They are also found throughout Mexico. They tend to stick around marshes, ponds, and lakes. They aren’t as receptive to people being around them as many other types of ducks are though. They tend to be very set on sticking to only interacting with their group.

They lay about 9-14 eggs at a time but many of them end up in the water due to them placing them so close to the shore. Many people take these eggs belonging to wood ducks too as they walk along the edges of the body of water. It is an instinct that allows the wood ducks to lay the eggs in this area so that their young can immediately enter the water. To help protect them though they often select murky bodies of water to place their eggs into.

Some wood ducks migrate but many of them stay where they are at all year long. This is because they tend to live in climates where it does stay a good temperature for them all year long. However, we have all realized shifts in weather patterns in the past decade. As a result of this more, wood ducks are migrating annually than ever before.

They have very skinny yet strong legs so they can walk rapidly and also take off into flight very quickly. They survive off of plants and berries that they find around them. They also like to eat bird seed so you may get some wood ducks in your area as they are migrating for the winter months.




Thursday, December 7, 2017

DUCKS

The Mallards, the archetypal "wild ducks&...
The Mallards, the archetypal "wild ducks", probably the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks, are dabbling ducks who breed throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand (where they are currently the most common duck species), and Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ducks are classified as birds and there are many different species of them. They feature different colors and different sizes as adults. Most species of ducks are very smart animals. They can fly but most of them are content to stay in a location where they have food, water, and companionship. Males and females pair off until the female has laid her eggs and then she is alone to take care of her young. The number of eggs she will lay depends on the species. It can be from 6-12 and the incubation period can be from 45-60 days.

The female ducks in all species seem to take very good care of their young. They lay their eggs and then the babies are able to swim as soon as they are born. They will line up and follow their mother. Ducks will follow the first thing they see when they are born which can be funny if that isn’t their own mother. She will teach them how to gather food and they will stay with her until they are mature enough to fully care for themselves. Most will still stay together though.

Some species of ducks are hunted for food. Many areas allow duck hunting season to take place due to the large numbers of them. Overpopulation can result in problems due to not enough food for them. This hunting season is generally in the early winter time when most are heading south for the winter. You will need to look into the specifics of duck hunting in your area.

Some hunters use decoys as well to get those they wish to hunt into the area. They display what looks like a real duck. They also use calls to make the sounds of that species of duck. The males will come to check out what they think is a female calling them and then they will be shot. Some people raise ducks on farms in order to sale them for food once they are adults.

Not all species of duck though are good for eating. You will need to know what you should be after if you want to eat this type of bird. Many people don’t like the taste of duck but if you haven’t tried it you may want to at least experiment so you can get a taste of it.




Sunday, October 29, 2017

Raising MALLARD DUCKS - 5 Vital Tips For Beginners

Mallard Duck Hen - Photo: Maxpixel
Ducks are the commonly found pets and social birds too. They can be easily raised by human beings. Though these pretty birds fear the human, it is quite easy to raise the ducklings. Pets are just like our children, they understand the language of love and compassion. So, if you are thinking of raising Mallard ducks, then some tips given below can be quite useful.

1. Caging
Cages are very important for the raising Mallard ducks. It is always good to raise more than one duckling since these social pets love the company of others. Initially, these cute pets can be stored in cages with some material that can be the source of warmth for them. In the absence of their mother duck, these ducklings need to grow in the similar and natural warmth, isn't it? The ducklings with their mother do not need any heat source since the mother takes complete care of them.

As the ducklings are raised, one can find them moving around in the time span of 2 to 3 weeks. These birds generally look for warmth in the beginning. After they grow to ducks within 4 to 5 weeks, one can see them moving in any type of environment, either warm or cold. The cage for one duck is generally larger in size that measures around 10 sq. ft.

2. Water
Raising Mallard ducks cannot be done without sufficient water. If ducklings are alone, then, little water is supplied for them. Ducklings without their mother cannot swim because they cannot produce the oil for their features that help them to swim. Due to this, we need to be careful because these cute pets might drown. When they are with their mother, the duck oils the feathers for her ducklings and then they can swim easily. For the ducks, ponds are the best for swimming. Even when they can leave without them, it is always good to have an artificial pond to keep the ducks happy.

3. Food
Ducklings love to have fresh greens and weeds. Game bird starter feed is also good for them. Once they grow to ducks in 5 weeks, one can change their feed to the game bird grower feed. You can also try a special duck feeder that can be easily available in the pet stores that provide the feed for raising Mallard ducks. Drinking water can be stored in a large clean bowl for the ducks.



4. Shelter
Shelter plays very important role in raising Mallard ducks. Shelter protects them from the heat, rain, snow, and cold. A wooden shelter can be easily made for the comfort of your beloved pets.

5. Special Care
The health and happiness of the ducks can give them a longer life. Your ducks need special care and for that, some tips below can be useful in raising Mallard ducks.
1. One needs to take them out of the pen daily.
2. After that they are free searching for food, flying and swimming
3. Keep a watch on your ducks to protect them from predators
4. Cleaning their cage is very important
5. Make sure that the floor for the ducks is not too hard for them to walk
So, finally, your pets need a lot of food, water, shelter, and care too. Well, raising Mallard ducks is quite interesting and can be done will complete care of the pets.

    By Mary Louise
    Are you looking for more tips on raising Peking ducks or Mallard ducks? If you think you still need guidance on where to start, consulting existing duck owners and farmers will certainly be a big help. If you would like to learn more about raising ducks correctly, click here: howtoraiseducks.com
    Article Source: EzineArticles