What Supplies Do I Need For Pet Ducks? (12+ Must-have Things)

As a duck owner, you may ask, what supplies do I need for pet ducks? Well, I found plenty that covers from safe living space to proper dietary needs. And my priority is living space, food supply, cleanliness, health care, and entertainment for ducks. These fundamentals are the root of total management for the duck’s growth.

Whether as a poultry or a pet, ducks need some supplies for a comfortable living. So, when raising waterfowl, you must ensure their well-being with the right supplies.

This article will give a proper way of raising ducks and ducklings. So, be ready to raise some cute ducks in the yard for a new companionship.

12 Pet Duck Supplies: What Supplies Do I Need For Pet Ducks?

I have already given you a little glance at what you must have for raising pet ducks. They are basically raised under different circumstances. You can make a backyard coop or even a modern house. It depends on your purpose.

Regarding ducks’ housing and management, the yard is a cost-effective idea for a small flock of ducks. According to Cornell University Research, you’ll need an enclosed structure, a low-cost fence, a wooden feed hopper or trough, and a waterer. And ensure you place the house in high, which is well-drained.

So, this is your easy move. But for a proper way, here is the list of requirements to grow pet ducks in the yard or garden.

1. Duck House Or Coop Supply

Duck house supplies are mandatory for making a safe habitat for the pet ducks. It’s necessary since it gives protection from predators and has a resting and nesting place. But what you should have in the house?

1. Clean Bedding: Make a bedding that is comfortable and free of potential moisture buildup. It’s their resting place, and ensuring hygiene is a must! Otherwise, ducks gonna have respiratory infections because of wet bedding.

In the case of ducklings, you can keep the bedding fresh by using

• Hay
• Straw,
• Pine Shavings
• Newspaper for moisture absorbance
• Old clothes.

And make sure you change the bedding within 2 or 3 days.

2. Duck Nesting Boxes: You may heard ducks don’t need them, but they actually do. Especially in Winter, backyard pet ducks need a suitable environment for hatching. So, nesting boxes can help.
3. Heat Lamp: When it’s duckling as a pet, keep them warm for the first few weeks. Ducklings get warmer when you use a heat bulb with a red filter. It reduces stress, which interrupts the duck’s egg production.

To have a proper temperature, follow the ideas:

• 83° for the first week
• 76° for the second week
• 69° for the third week.
• Room temperature when in-house.

Well, I found a radiant chick heater as a good alternative. Just keep the heater at a required distance. And here, the thermometer can monitor any confusion related to heat power.

Anyway! Here is a video of duck housing that you may like.

2. Duck Food Supply

To raise the duck properly, a balanced diet is a crucial part. Just determine how much they need according to their age. Give healthy foods and ensure freshness. Before that, lemme tell you what you must have!

1. Poultry Feeder: A feeder is such a good thing for ducks to feed since it allows enough space for their broader bills and shoveling eating style. But give them trough feeder while hand feeding.

For the first three weeks, make sure you provide each duck a feeder space of around 1″ (2.5 cm). However, for young breeders, 4″ (1o cm) of linear space for each duck is enough.

2. Proper Nutrition: Ducks need protein and niacin at a young age. So, you have to confirm they’re having enough. Let me share a general viewpoint!

• Give the ducklings unmedicated starter feed for the first two weeks.
• From week three to seven, give duck grower or pullet grower, which is chicken feed but good for ducks.
• You can add two bags of grit or ground-up stones to grind up the food by their gizzards. According to a Journal Article, Grit helps the ducks with food digestion.
• It is wise to leave them with natural diets like greens or small insects.

3. Water Sources To Raise Ducks

Water is a lifesaver for ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeys. So, you must confirm ducks have enough water near the coop or in the yard.

1. Waterer And Freshwater: You can add waterers for ducks’ welfare. For example, a jar-type or trough waterer is enough for them to drink water. Keep it around 4 cm so that they can submerge the bill.

I guess Plasson waterers or Nipple waterers won’t be wrong. And water in a shallow dish is also a good alternative. But how do you make all the arrangements?

• Place the waterer atop a wire mesh screen to prevent wetness.
• Make a cement floor drain behind the water screens. It’s good for commercial duck houses. 

But ducklings always start partying, so give them watering cans, jars, or troughs. And ensure you always keep the water clean and bring fresh water.

2. Swimming Pool Or Duck Pond: People who are fond of ducks try to give them enough space to live. They make duck ponds or pools for swimming and foraging for a natural diet. 

And it’s common to raise the ducks with fish farming. It even contributes to the ecological balance in the pond.

4. Supplement Supply Is A Booster

Giving supplementary items is a way to boost their health. It fastens the growth!

1. Layer And Treats: You can offer layer feed, especially during the egg-laying phase. It actually gives calcium and other nutrients for a strong eggshell.

As a healthy treat, fruits or veggies are particular nutrients. It gives them energy, nutrition, and more. Or you can offer some nuts and seeds to your ducks. But of course, as an occasional treat.

2. Protein And Niacin supplement: I suggest diets containing protein and niacin. It helps to grow and develop. Protein helps with muscle and feather health, whereas niacin will keep the nervous system and leg health in good condition.
3. Chicken Scratch: Ducks can have some organic scratch or chicken scratch. It’s basically prepared of nutritious grain mixes.
4. Poultry Drench: Poultry owners prefer to give the nutrient-rich supplement like poultry drench. It’s basically an energy booster!

Related Reading:

• Niacin Deficiency In Duck
• Protein Requirements For Duck

5. When Ducks Produce Eggs

When your ducks are ready to hatch and lay some eggs, you need some things near the duck’s coop.

1. Egg Basket: Keep an egg basket to collect the freshly laid eggs. It also keeps it safe from contamination and breakage.
2. Incubator: We use incubators to hatch the eggs artificially. It basically maintains temperature and turns the eggs into a natural condition for hatching. So, you’ll need this!
3. Warm Environment: Ducks need warm weather while they lay eggs. So they have the right temperature level near the nesting area. The egg production will be successful every time they lay eggs.

Related Readings:

• Why Ducks Stop Laying Eggs
• Keeping Ducks Cool In Summer

6. Ensure Their Safety And Protection

Predators are everywhere! So, make secure enclosures or shelters for your ducks. Also, ducks will need some other type of protection, like safety from weather.

• Natural Repellent: I suggest using natural repellents near the ducks’ coop for the garden and the ducks’ safety. It removes pests or insects. The best utilization would be herbs such as lavender, mint, thyme, rosemary, or basil. Even the predators won’t like it.
• Weather Protection: Ensure they are having shelter from wind or rain. Plus, you must ensure ducks are at the optimal temperature. Here is a temperature chart for you!

7. Keep The Area Neat And Clean

Always keep the coop area clean for your ducks. For this, you can use a deodorizer or cleaning product.

1. Chicken Coop Deodorizer: Veterinarians approved chicken coop deodorizer to keep the ducks coop clean.
2. Natural Cleaning Products: You can also use non-toxic cleaning products to keep the coop, feeder,  waterer, and other duck things clean out of dirt.
3. Proper ventilation: To have a fresh environment, ensure a ventilation path.

8. Health Care Supplies For Your Pet Duck

Health care is another core to give your ducks. They may get sick over time; therefore, give them things like

• First aid essentials,
• Wound care medication,
• Vaccination, if necessary,
• Parasite controlling treatment.

If necessary, take your ducks to the vet or avian experts to treat any health issues properly.

9. Grooming Is Important For Ducks

Most duck owners love to keep them neat and clean. I suggest trimming their overgrown feathers. Plus, you need to check their beak and feet condition as well. Remember, hygiene maintenance is something you must prioritize.

Besides, ensuring enough shady areas, preventing them from excessive mud, and always giving a proper bath won’t be a bad idea.

10. Give Some Foraging Space

Ducks have natural foraging behavior. So, you must make some space for them to forage for natural food sources. For example, let them visit the garden with some edible plants or ensure they can dive into the pond to have some aquatic meals.

11. Duck Need Entertainment

Whether it’s a baby or an adult, ducks need some entertainment time. Therefore, you can manage:

• Kiddie pool
• Floating toys
• Things for mental stimulation.

The best idea would be to give an area for foraging.

12. Backyard Ducks And Identification Tag

It would be best if you used identification tags for the pet ducks to raise them. Such tags like leg and wing bands help track and manage the ducks. Most importantly, you can monitor their health and growth progress.

12 Extra Duckling Supplies: What Baby Ducks Need?

They are almost the same things, but ducklings need some extra supplies. So, when you have the little one, ensure you get the things such as

1. Brooder Box: A warm and safe thing made with a heat source, water, and clean bedding.
2. Brewer’s Yeast: Add some brewer’s yeast to the ducklings’ diet to increase niacin intake.
3. Small Bedding: Ducklings require soft absorbing bedding. But they don’t need it too large.
4. Heating Plate Kit: Instead of heat lamps, include a kit for baby ducks because it maintains an ideal heat level.
5. Baby Ducks Feeder Or Shallow Dishes: Get the right size of feeder that is comfortable for the little champ to eat. You can also use shallow dishes!
6. Chick Starter Feed Or Crumbles: Always provide non-medicated feed or crumbles to your ducklings.
7. Chick Grit: Get grits that are comfortable for baby ducks. They have small bills, and you know that!
8. Coop Refresher: Use a spray bottle or diluted vinegar to refresh the baby ducks’ coop.
9. Toys And Bells: Baby ducks love to play, so toys or bells can be included near the house.
10. Mirror: Whether it’s adult or baby, keeping plastic and shatterproof mirrors is a good idea. They actually love to see their own reflection.
11. Electrolytes: Take it during the summertime! It’s an additive to ducklings’ water to keep the electrolytes balanced and adequately hydrated. CSIRO study says that ducks like Pekin, having electrolytes as a nutritional intervention, can tolerate high temperatures.
12. Probiotics: Poultry prebiotics can be a healthy supplement for ducks and chickens. It’s necessary for nutrient absorption, better digestion, immunity, and solid gut flora.

Conclusion

So, it’s pretty clear that housing, feeding, cleaning, and health supplies are the most notable parts of raising the ducks. But you need to be a little picky with some additional things regarding ducklings’ lifestyle.

The more you care, the more they’ll be your good companion! To keep the bonding strong, give them their requirements. So, if you want to raise a duck as a pet, follow the supplying things I included. It’s the ideal way to grow the ducks in the yard.

Sources And References:

• https://www.jstor.org/stable/3807874
• https://www.publish.csiro.au/an/pdf/AN21337