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Will put up flat-pack coop.. honest !

Ruth
edited August 2009 in Introductions
Hi all,

On an impulse of wishful thinking... recently bought a hen-house on Ebay, to go in my vegetable garden. I started out thinking I wanted hens (for eggs) - I now want ducks, since I've completely fallen in love with duck eggs - hence the rethink & 2 month delay in putting up the coop !

Any clues on duck types would be gratefully appreciated - I'd like a friendly sort of duck that would be happy in a veg. garden and won't murder my plants or put a hole in my polytunnel. There's a river near, but outside of the safety of the veg. garden (p.s. what stops ducks from 'running away' anyway??). I'd ideally keep them in the garden and provider water for them.

Advice, breeder contact near Wicklow would be great.

Comments

  • DeCarabas
    edited November -1
    Hiya,
    I'd be interested in this also. I'm a newbie myself - see my other post but understand that ducks must be clipped to stop from flying away and therefore would imagine they will run away via the river unless you could fence in part of this also but that might be outside your boundary and/or be a planning/fisheries issue, I don't know.
    Probably best fence them into your property. A neighbour (vet) also advised they are quite smelly compared to chickens.
    I'd love to know how you get on though as I plan to get a couple when I learn more.
    Best of luck.
  • admin
    edited November -1
    Runner Ducks and other heavy breeds shouldn't fly or run away. On the other hand, breeds like call ducks and mandarins could, and very easily would. I would suggest going with a breed such as the runner duck as they are a great layer, or the pekin or alyesbury that are lovely birds. Here is a link to a topic on our old forum where one of our members ask 's about starting with ducks: http://n2.nabble.com/First-timer-with-ducks---any-advice-td2677916.html Look at the links to photos of her aylesbury ducks as they grow up.

    Here is a breeder from our breeders list that lives in Kildare and has Aylesburys and Indian Runner Ducks:

    Adrian kelly

    BREEDING FOR 2010 INCLUDES………..
    CHICKEN = MARAN (CUCKOO)

    DUCKS = AYLESBURY , CAYUGA , CAMPBELLS (WHITE)CAMPBELLS (KHAKI), MUSCOVIES,INDIAN RUNNERS (FAWN AND WHITE),

    GEESE = GIANT GREY TOULOUSE, AFRICAN (GREY), CHINESE (GREY) AND WHITE

    phone: 0871204670
    address: Co. Kildare
  • Ruth
    edited November -1
    Hi all,

    Thanks - choosing the breed is a bit of a mix of the heart and the head... possibly a visit to a breeder with a variety of types will sort that one out. Yep, have a deer-fenced veg. garden of about 1/3 acre & will get a child's paddling pool to start with - since I garden largely on granite !!

    Biggest problem is keeping foxes out of the pen. Will also have to see how messy they are, would like to keep them free-range as possible in the garden (which is away from the house) with the benefit of free-organic-slug eating thrown in - but, without wrecking the plants themselves. Does anyone keep their ducks with veg. and how does this work out for them?? Also, are they placid enough not to want to squeeze through deer fencing and escape?
  • Ruth
    edited November -1
    I seem to be communicating a certain obsession with escapologist fowl ! Far from it - I've obviously just watched Chicken Run a few too many times... ;)
  • admin
    edited November -1
    "Ruth" said:
    I seem to be communicating a certain obsession with escapologist fowl ! Far from it - I've obviously just watched Chicken Run a few too many times... ;)
    :lol:
  • corrachombra
    edited November -1
    We used to keep different breeds of ducks - now I have only Muscovies because I just love their character and temperament. They are far more laid-back than the other slightly hysterical breeds and much, much cleaner!!! As for the vegetables: all poultry LOVE plants, especially flowers and veg, and don't mind walking on little plants either; I tried and then abandonded the idea of biological slug control IN the veg garden and have runs BESIDE it now.
    Btw Connor, are Runner ducks a heavy breed??!! ;)
  • admin
    edited November -1
    "corrachombra" said:
    We used to keep different breeds of ducks - now I have only Muscovies because I just love their character and temperament. They are far more laid-back than the other slightly hysterical breeds and much, much cleaner!!! As for the vegetables: all poultry LOVE plants, especially flowers and veg, and don't mind walking on little plants either; I tried and then abandonded the idea of biological slug control IN the veg garden and have runs BESIDE it now.
    Btw Connor, are Runner ducks a heavy breed??!! ;)
    Oh :D That didn't phrase right, it should be runner ducks and heavy breeds shouldn't fly much...or run much :D
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