Raising Ducks for Beginners - 5 Crucial Tips To Begin
It is said that more than 22 million ducks are being raised in the US each year. Particularly because raising ducks seems to have become an enjoyable hobby as well, this number seems to be on the rise. Below are some tips for starters.
1. Determine what is your main purpose for raising ducks.
This will help you to select the duck breed best suited for your purposes. You will also get more optimal results. For instance, the Call Duck breed is often bred for ornamental purposes while the Khaki Campbell Duck breed are bred mostly because they are good egg-layers.
2. Start research on how to raise ducks.
There are many resources that are available to you. Countless articles, such as the one you are reading right now, can provide many pieces of information on how you can start keeping ducks. You can also talk to other experienced duck breeders as they can give you invaluable tips on how to rear ducks which they have gained through their experiences.
3. For raising ducks, one important start-up equipment you must have is a duckling brooder.
This will help you raise baby ducklings, which is a great first step in rearing ducks. You start with the duck eggs themselves and take care of the brood when the eggs hatch. Although you can choose from adolescent ducks or adult ducks, rearing ducks and ducklings may be a more rewarding experience for you. You will have more learning opportunities as well.
4. Make sure you also have your duck coop or duck hen in place.
You wouldn't want your ducks scattered all over the place or unprotected from the elements. Raising ducks require a certain amount of investment and one of them is a safe and secure place for your ducks. Wood shavings and straws are recommended materials for your duck coop. You will also need to take sanitation into consideration since a duck coop will have the tendency to be wet most of the time. To prevent molds, you may need to change the litter everyday.
5. Make sure to provide adequate heating, especially if you are rearing ducklings.
After your ducklings hatch, they will require a certain amount of heat for the next few weeks. A standard, 250-watt should meet their requirements. This will tend to lessen as they grow feathers, unless you have them in an environment where there is extreme cold climate. Learn more tips about how to raise ducks here.
