So you want to raise ducks. Are you sure?
Here’s my story. My daughter (literally) came home and said “can I keep them?” Mommy duck was hit by a car, orphaning 8-day old ducklings. I had to make a quick decision and that is what started our adventure, and my ‘love affair’ with ducks. But ducks are NOT for everyone. Here are some good reasons NOT to raise ducks. Let’s see if you agree.
Table of Contents
Here are 10 reasons NOT to raise ducks
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1. Ducklings Are So Cute!
Worst reason in the world to raise ducks!
I know, you walk into the feed store, you see the tiny little bundle of cuteness and you fall madly in love. Or it’s a holiday like Easter. But that adorable little bundle of cuteness will grow up so quickly. It will be close to full size and lose all that cuteness by 6 weeks old! The question you should ask yourself is do you want adult ducks? Because that is what they will be by the time you blink your eyes.
Related>> How Long Do Ducks Live? How To Extend Their Life.
2. Ducks Are A Life-Long Commitment.
This cute little bundle of cuteness can live 10 – 20 years! Are you ready to take care of this duck for 20 years? They only produce eggs for about 5-7 years. Are you going to want to feed a duck you are not getting eggs from for 10 years or more? If you are willing to keep it that long or are willing to kill it and use it for food, fine. If not, don’t get a duck.
More Reading: Raising Ducks 101 – How To Take Care Of Baby Ducklings
More Reading: How Long Do Ducks Live? How To Extend Their Life.
3. You Don’t Have The Time.
Ducks take a large time commitment. I get up 30 minutes early every morning. 7 days a week. Then on the weekend, there are extra chores, just to take care of my ducks. Are you willing to sacrifice your sleep?
4. You Want Cheap Eggs
Don’t even kid yourself. Just the price of the feed itself will make the eggs twice as expensive as the eggs purchased at the grocery store. Not to mention, housing, extra wire, bedding, waterer and feeder, mouse-proof container (yeah right) to keep the food in, cleaning supplies, heat lamps, possible vet bills, and the whole myriad of things I’ve spent money on.
Related Post: Do Ducks Need a Pond?
5. Deed Restrictions
If you don’t live on a farm or agricultural area you need to check on deed restrictions and/or county/city/state/federal ordinances. A lot of places will not allow you to keep ducks. If you live in a residential area, even if the government does let you, be a good neighbor, and ask your neighbors. None of us wants bad blood next door just because we didn’t ask if they minded. (then share some eggs with them to keep them happy about that decision.) 🙂
6. Ducks Attract Flies
Any animal and its poop attract flies. Especially in the summer. You can keep the coop clean, which will help a lot. I use the deep litter method which makes great compost and cuts down on flies. But, I said cuts down on. I did not say eliminates flies. Don’t have the ducks too close to your house or your neighbor’s houses or your houses will have flies.
Related: How To Get Rid Of Flies In Your Chicken Coop, Naturally!
7. You Don’t Have The Room
You need to realistically assess the space you have to keep ducks. A duck needs a sheltered area to get out of storms and the cold. They also need a “play area”. This is a place to eat and splash and run and poop and do all the things a duck does.
The minimum they say is 10 sq ft for each bird. I find that you have a lot more trouble with squabbling ducks and dirty hay at that ratio. I would say to at least double that. You also want a run that you can walk upright into.
8. You Don’t Have A Secure Place To Keep Food
As I mentioned in #4, you need a mouse-proof container. We placed our feed in a plastic bin inside a shed that had never seen a mouse…. until we put duck food in there. Those little buggers ate a hole right through the side of the thick plastic container. (after chewing a hole to get into the shed)
You also want a container that will keep the food dry. Moldy food can make your ducks sick. And you want it convenient. Remember you need to get into this every day.
Related: Fast Ways To Get Rid Of Mice And Rats In Your Coop.
Related: What To Feed Ducklings.
9. You Don’t Have The Money To Take Care Of Them
Raising kids and animals is expensive. Your $3.99 bargain can quickly turn into $399.00 plus. You need containers for food and water, a coop, and a run. And something to swim in. And that’s just for starters!
10. Ducks Are Stinky And Smelly And Messy
There is a reason the word fowl is used for things that are dirty, stinky, and smelly. If you want nice clean and pristine, don’t get a duck! They poop everywhere! Even in their drinking water. That’s just the way they are.
And they need regular maintenance to keep their coop from stinking.
Related: 30 Gift Ideas For Duck Lovers
OK. 10 reasons not to get a duck. These reasons are all true. So you do need to think about all of these things before you get a duck.
But then again, you may be like me and say it is worth every bit of lost sleep and every penny I’ve spent, and all the food and hay I have hauled. In spite of it all, I wouldn’t trade my ducks for the world! I hope you too decide it is worth it to have ducks!
If you are like me and love ducks, check out the link below….
|10 Reasons To Raise Ducks!
Learn more about raising ducks
Related: 10 Necessities To A Perfect Duck House.
Keep Learning
Setting Up A Brooder Box For Baby Ducks.
A Well Designed Duck Coop To Make Your Life Easier.
Duck Eggs vs. Chicken Eggs, Why Duck Eggs Are Better.
Raising Ducks 101 – How To Take Care Of Baby Ducklings.
How To Get Clean Water For My Ducks.
What To Feed Ducks In Your Backyard.
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Happy Gardening!
I believe everyone can grow at least part of their own food! Let me show you how.
Ducks actually don’t have odors, the only odors they have are from their feces, which is a normal part of life, everyone and everything can stink, that’s how it works. Not only that, you NEED two or more ducks, else it’ll be depressed because of their natural flocking instinct, and chickens or other animals won’t cut it!
You are right that a duck itself doesn’t stink, but they poop a lot, and that does stink. That’s why I like the deep litter method of bedding. That helps tremendously keep the odor down.
So I’ve had ducks in the city I had up to 8 had a big yard
Had to move gave them up sadly
Moved to a home small back yard clean it up got 3 ducks I kept it clean lavender plants for flies
I try to do all the right things
I had rat service
Rats were there before me
First group sadly killed I think a visiting dog
I got 3 hens
Neighbors told me they didn’t like me or the ducks or the pups
I said would you like some eggs
I ended up giving them to a woman who had a duck house in the country
Now update
I’m in the country
I have a coop
I have a bunny barn
A lady has to or wants to rehome 5 ducks I love to take them but
I’m on the fence
I already get up early for my animals
And spend a hour when I’m home from work .
3 chickens are messy too
With poop
Not sure if my duck fun has passed .
I’m sorry you had problems. It can be a real challenge in the city/burbs. There is no shame in not raising ducks and chickens if you don’t want to. For everything there is a season.
This is kinda true, I have a duckling right now but is already a little big. It poops EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME. But doesn’t stink, I keep it inside my house which is worse. It’s a pekin duck and it’s name is olive. SO far I like it but it makes a lot of noise, poops a lot, isn’t fun like a dog, is messy, and annoys my dog a lot because it follows him but my dog doesn’t harm it. I don’t really recommend it unless you just want a cool pet.
If you are going to keep it inside it needs a diaper. I love my ducks, but think they belong outside.
i’m 14 and wanting a duck, i love to sleep (sleep loss is one of the things on the list), where would i put my baby duck? in my room? in my garage?, what’s the best advice i need to hear, what kind of cage do i use? etc, please help!!
There are some people who keep a pet duck in the house, but I don’t recommend it. They can be noisy (wake you up), messy (do you like to change diapers?), and need a lot of attention.
I would recommend that you keep more than one duck, (ducks like company) and keep it outside in a small coop with an attached run. You will be taking care of it every day and visiting as much as you want, but it will not be lonely while you are not there to pay attention to it. Here is a list of things you will want to think about when you design your duck house. https://www.lifeisjustducky.com/10-necessities-to-a-perfect-duck-house/.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Good luck with your ducks.
Especially stinky!!! So much more so than chickens! Love the new logo!
Actually they are probably about the same. The key is the space they have to run in. The more space the less smell. What wonderful personalities though. Worth all the work.
Thanks for noticing the new logo. Glad you like it.