Keeping Pet Ducks in the UK: A Complete Guide
If you have a smallholding or a fairly large garden, keeping ducks can be rewarding. Ducks provide delicious eggs, help control insects, and are easier to care for than some other poultry. This guide covers all you need to provide a happy, healthy environment for your pet ducks in the UK.
Choosing Suitable Duck Breeds for Beginners
Some breeds are particularly well-suited to beginners due to their temperament, ease of care, and limited tendency to fly away.
- Runner ducks stand upright and run rather than waddle. They are medium to large, lay 150-200 eggs each season, though eggs may be hidden due to their habit of laying wherever they are.
- Campbell ducks are small to medium, hardy, friendly, and productive, laying 75-150 eggs per season.
- Aylesbury ducks, the classic white-feathered type with yellow beaks, are solidly built, quiet, and gentle, laying 50-100 eggs per season.
- Call ducks are small and personable but can be noisy and require wing clipping to prevent escape. They lay fewer eggs (25-75), only in summer months.
Housing and Space Requirements for Ducks
Ducks need a safe, secure duck house raised from the ground with a sturdy ramp for easy access, as they do not perch like chickens. Provide at least two square feet (about 0.18 square metres) per duck within the coop for comfortable living. The house should have a flat floor (avoid wire mesh flooring as it can hurt ducks’ feet), secure doors that provide protection from predators like foxes, and good ventilation.
Additionally, a fenced run or enclosure protects ducks when they roam outdoors. This can be a plywood frame covered with chicken wire, movable to allow grass recovery. Ideally, fencing should be about one metre high to contain your ducks, with higher predator-proof barriers if needed. Avoid electric netting as it can injure ducks.
Water Access: Essential for Duck Health
While large ponds are ideal, even a medium-sized child’s paddling pool suffices for pet ducks to dip their heads and paddle, helping maintain eye and nostril health. Fresh, clean water should always be available, especially near feeding areas, since ducks do not chew their food but wash it down with water.
Appropriate Diet and Feeding Tips
Ducks enjoy eating garden insects and slugs, contributing to natural pest control, though they might nibble on plants occasionally. A balanced diet includes wheat, maize, soybean oil, and meal, supplemented with commercial compound duck food such as layer’s pellets to ensure complete nutrition.
Feeding bread or scraps should be avoided, as these do not meet nutritional needs and may cause health issues.
Keeping Your Ducks Happy and Healthy
Ducks are social animals and should never be kept alone. Maintaining a ratio of four to six females per male duck helps prevent aggression, which can escalate during mating seasons.
Regularly collect eggs to avoid damage and prevent females from going broody. Always supply clean, fresh drinking water alongside swimming water to support digestion and hydration.
Ensure ducks have continuous access to their coop for resting, preening, and shelter from weather extremes. Domestic ducks are inquisitive and often tame quickly, enjoying interaction with their owners.
Ducks live around 8-12 years, sometimes up to 15, so be prepared for long-term commitment.
When introducing ducks to other pets such as dogs or cats, do so gradually and supervise interactions to keep all animals safe and stress-free.
Conclusion
Keeping ducks in the UK is a fulfilling hobby that offers fresh eggs, natural pest control, and delightful companionship. By providing suitable breeds, safe housing, nutritious diet, clean water, and social company, you can ensure your ducks thrive for years. Always prioritise safety from predators, proper diet, and social needs to enjoy a happy duck-keeping experience.
