Raising Ducks and Chickens. The Differences

I can think of no greater joy than raising ducklings and chicks. They are cute and hilarious to watch. I was used to raising chickens and was not prepared for the differences in raising ducks. This article will point out some things to think about when choosing ducks or chickens or both!

The ducks will be shipped just like the chicks are. They need a nice warm spot with water and feed. Most people start chicks out on medicated feed, but ducklings are NOT supposed to eat that. You can find non medicated wild bird starter for the ducks.

Many people start chicks in the house in a cardboard box when they are small without too much trouble. But ducks are soon making you scramble to find a way to control their water mess. Yes, when ducks are tiny they already love water and want to spread it around. You can't successfully use a cardboard box very long without a plastic liner of some sort to catch the water.

We used a small livestock water tank that is made of black plastic. We laid newspapers and wood chips in the bottom of it. On one end was a heat lamp and on the other end was their waterer. Even at a young age, the ducks play with the water. They require a lot of water to digest their feed and keep themselves clean. But they also like splashing it around and they do make a mess of things. Re-bedding is a daily chore, but doesn't require much labor. Remove the wet bedding and replace it.

Ducks are friendlier right from the start. When walking up to the ducks I usually start quacking or letting them know I'm there. They look and come to socialize with me. The chickens are not that friendly and they act like the sky is falling when you first approach them. But with time and age, both become familiar with people and tame down.

I've noticed that when the chickens lay down, they are spread out. The ducks lay down together and they do it at the same time. The ducks seem hardier than chicks when they are first hatched. But they also seem to "need" more room than chicks at a young age. The ducklings also grow faster than my chicks.

If you are interested in raising ducks and/or chickens, consult the library and find some good homesteading websites like Homesteadingtoday.com. They are very helpful with beginners and have the answers to many problems you may incur.

I wouldn't trade the ducks or chickens for anything. I love raising both of them.