Monday 30 January 2023

How to keep ducks - keep them free of mud

 

I was asked recently if it is possible to keep ducks as pets in your house. I replied that it is possible but I wouldn't recommend it. Ducks are very mucky and are therefore better off outside in the garden or a run. Due to current avian flu restrictions all poultry is confined to cages or runs and the muck soon builds up. There comes a point, especially following heavy rain, when ducks can get overwhelmed by the mud and muck and they are unable to clean their feathers. If this happens, ducks often die. So, if you are planning to keep ducks, make sure they have access to clean water for bathing. Put something in the run to absorb the rain and keep them off mud. We use mulch, old hay, wood shavings or sawdust as available. The ducks will poo all over it but when it becomes too mucky, shovel it all up, put it in the compost bin and replace it. But the most important thing is to help keep the ducks clean.

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