Ducks are a great alternative to raising chickens – and good companions for them if you want to raise both species!
Learn everything there is to know about this friendly livestock and how to take care of it.
We’ve all seen the videos of ducks waddling around inside their owner’s home, acting just like any other pet. It’s pretty darn cute, and if you like ducks the appeal is obvious. Who wouldn’t want their feathered friend hanging out inside with you? But what about the practicality of it? Ducks aren’t like dogs or …
As a little girl, my grandmother used to take me to a lake close to her home every Sunday to feed the ducks. I loved those visits so much that I used to hide bits of my own food from my parents during the week so that I would have more for the ducks on …
15+ Delicious Treats for Ducks That Should Be Fed in Moderation Read More »
Chickens might literally and figuratively rule the roost when it comes to poultry for homesteaders but there are other birds besides those. Next to our trusty yard birds ducks are the most popular option. Similar in many respects, ducks are obviously aquatic and also more capable fliers than chickens. This raises an obvious question: if …
It is no revelation that ducks can fly. Of course they can! When people think of ducks, they naturally think of them sitting serenely on the water or flying through the air. Simple as that! But what would you say if I told you that there are some ducks that, naturally, cannot fly at all? …
Baby ducks are probably the hands-down cutest critters that will ever be on your homestead. And while adult ducks are surprisingly hardy animals, baby ducks are conversely quite delicate. They require constant but specialized nutrition so they can grow up strong without any health issues. Though ducks can eat a variety of foods and are …
If you raise ducks, you already know that the most magical time in the whole process is waiting on those eggs to hatch. The excitement, the anticipation, and the simple joy and wonder of the circle of life, endlessly turning. No matter how many times you go through it never loses its charm. But if …
It’s a cold, snowy winter day, and you’re out for a walk by the lake. You see ducks swimming on the icy water as a few stray snowflakes drift lazily down. You pull your parka tighter around you as you appreciate the magnificent poetry of life. Then the thought hits you like a ton of …
Every year, my husband and I have a mental battle with ourselves (and each other!) about whether we will add new animals to the farm. Usually, we both give in – we add something new! It’s hard to resist the allure of new baby animals, particularly if it’s a new species you’ve never raised before. …
14 Pros and 8 Cons of Raising Ducks on the Homestead Read More »
If you’re familiar with hatching chicken eggs, you may want to continue your journey to trying to hatch your own duck eggs, too. Hatching your own duck eggs is easy, particularly if you have experience incubating other kinds of poultry. However, that’s not to say that it’s totally without effort. I like incubating duck eggs …
My grandmother used to take me to feed bread to the ducks at a lake near her home. Through the years, I learned about animal husbandry and a great deal more about the nutrition of the various animals we have kept. I think bread is the best place to start when talking about feeding ducks. …
The Ultimate Duck Feed Guide from A to Z [PDF Checklist] Read More »
