Little Bear Swamp Farm: Ducks

DUCKS

One of our sons raises ducks.
The breeds of our females are: Indian Runner, Blue Swedish, Magpie cross.
The drake (pictures to be uploaded soon), is an Ancona.
We used to raise purebred Anconas, but our flock was wiped out by a racoon raid last year. We may return to raising Anconas, but for now, we are happy to have these lovely ducks and drake.

Our son expects to have duckings for sale in the springtime.

Our ducks are free range, enjoying acres of property, searching for insects, and swimming in the stream or the little pool.

They receive pelleted food and fish based grain free dog food, in the cold months.
Their favorite vegetable is cooked sweet pototatoes.
In the warm months, nearly all of their nutrition comes directly from their free ranging.

Ducks are very hearty. We've never had a duck become ill for any reason. They do not catch typical poultry respiratory illnesses. They thrive in cold weather and in hot weather.

Our ducks' main purpose is egg production.
When they "go broody" (desire to set eggs) in the spring time, we always let them. We enjoy watching them become motherly, setting eggs with endurance then wholeheartedly giving all of themselves to the care of their ducklings. Mother ducks are courageous and nurturing.

Before setting time, the duck will eat nearly constantly. The timing is perfect, as springtime brings in many new insects including grubs and earthworms. The drake does not need so much food, so he will stand guard, watching for predators while his ladies eat.

Ducks will lay an egg each day in the springtime. They begin to set them when there is usually a dozen or more. When a duck begins setting, she will set on the eggs all day and night, with just two short breaks to go get some food and water. When she leaves the nest, she will cover the eggs, so no one can see them. Our ducks all nest in their night time pen.

Ducks stop laying while nesting and do not lay eggs while caring for ducklings. So, our routine as been to have no eggs during late spring, nor all summer. The ducks resume laying eggs in the fall time and continue through winter. Different breeds have layed differently varying in number. Some breeds do not EVER nest, so they will lay eggs about 3-4 per week year round. Our purebred Anconas would lay no eggs at all for the month of nesting, nor for up to three months after, but would lay eggs 7 days per week, starting in the fall and lay each day all winter and continue until nesting time again in the spring.

Duck eggs have a thick shell and do not freeze so quickly as chicken eggs in the winter.

Our particular flock of ducks, has done a great job staying home. We've had some breeds who range too far, onto neighbor's properties. We have found the Anconas and the Buff ducks to do very well at staying close!

The three females we have now, are neither Ancona nor Buff, but stay home well.