Amanda Beckman

Hi Jay,

Thanks for info! I didn't realize domestic ducks formed pairs. Since getting these two, I don't think I've ever seen them more than 3 feet apart. I like your ideas for using the water, making something where I can move the water around is definitely on my list! I'll be sure to post if I come up with some new training or enrichment activities for them!

Hi Beth,

Thanks for replying! I should clarify, I'm not trying to prevent them from mating. I'm just trying to prevent injuries to my female (neck wounds, stress). I dont think he is obsessively trying to do it yet, so I'd like to try to keep him from developing that habit. I definitely agree that animals have distinct personalities, so hopefully he stays polite.

They love their frozen peas!! They were a little bow-legged and wobbly when I first got them but a niacin supplement and lots of peas prevented them from having any leg or walking issues as adults.

Thanks again.

Hi Gail,

Thanks for getting back to me. I guess by success I meant have people had one female and one male, and the female didn't end up being bullied or injured by the male? Or are more female ducks in my future? It seems like you had a few more than a pair of ducks though! I haven't tried sprouts with them yet but I have a garden and could easily start growing some. And I will definitely get some oyster shells today. I will also look into night guard. Their enclosure is pretty sturdy (plywood on two sides and top and bottom, hardware cloth on the rest with no seams on the outisde), but maybe some night guard would be good for their fenced in yard I let them in. As for predator protection via a guardian animal, I would love to get some donkeys but that will probably require a lot of convincing to get my partner on board! Thanks again.

Long-time duck appreciator turned duck caretaker after I came across two very thin and friendly ducklings someone dumped at a park a few months ago. They are fully grown now (pekin male and what looks to be a khaki or khaki-hybrid female), and they are being raised as pets (some eggs would be a nice bonus though). I'm getting my PhD studying bird behavior, and am fully aware of the breeding behavior of male ducks. No eggs yet, but they are definitely trying to get there. I haven't observed anything that I would consider aggressive or harmful to the female yet (their little pair dances in the kiddie pool are pretty cute). I just had a couple questions in regards to making sure my ducks (mostly the female) have a happy life:

1. Has anyone had success with just a pair of ducks? Or are more female ducks in my future a strong possibility?
2. Is there any enrichment that may help my male keep his mind off other things? Maybe learning tricks (they already know "duck house" means go to their hut), or some type of puzzle/food activities? They have a little pool in a fenced in area near my house, but I saw a coyote on my property so now I'm nervous about leaving them unattended. Other than letting them roam around the yard I'm not doing any other enrichment.
3. Are oyster shells necessary for ducks?