How to Keep a Duck Flock

Ducks are waterfowl that are kept in flocks for a variety of reasons. Some farmers raise ducks for their eggs, while others keep flocks of ducks to sell for their meat. Others who keep ducks are waterfowl enthusiasts who enjoy watching a flock live and interact around a body of water on their property. Termed domestic duck keeping, many duck owners also keep the birds as pets. For whatever reason a flock of ducks is kept, providing their basic needs will help ensure the health and longevity of each duck.

Things You'll Need

  • Duck pen or chicken coop
  • Child's pool (optional)
  • Fencing
  • Duck food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the type of duck you would like in your flock. Different species are bred for specific purposes. Pekin and Cayuga ducks are often raised for their meat, and khaki Campbells and runners are known for the quality of their eggs. Mallards, Muscovies and crested ducks are good choices for domestic ducks. However, most duck species can be kept together as ornamental or domesticated ducks if you prefer to have a mixed flock.

    • 2

      Prepare a shelter for your ducks before purchasing them. They need a covered pen to provide shade and shelter from inclement weather. A duck pen or chicken coop will work well.

    • 3
      Ducks are easily domesticated and enjoy being fed by people.

      Provide a water source for your ducks. Although they do not require a pond or lake to thrive, ducks enjoy swimming and spending time in the water. If your property does not have a body of water on it, a large-sized child's pool will give your flock a place to gather and swim.

    • 4

      Plan to keep your duck flock safe from predators. You will need to provide fencing around the area where your birds will gather if there are animals nearby that could hurt them, such as dogs, cats, foxes and coyotes.

    • 5
      When kept safe and comfortable, ducks will reproduce and expand the flock.

      Purchase your ducks from a reputable breeder. This will ensure that you acquire healthy birds that will easily reproduce. You can start your flock with a pair of grown ducks, or purchase several ducklings that consists of one drake and several females. Whichever you decide, this will be the beginning of an established breeding flock.

    • 6

      Supplement your flock's diet with duck food, called pellets. Although ducks eat plants, insects, slugs and even small fish, providing duck food will ensure they get a nutritionally complete diet. You can find a variety of duck pellets at a farm supply store.

    • 7

      Provide hidden areas and privacy so your ducks will feel secure to begin to reproduce. Ducks will build nests under bushes, trees and shrubs and behind buildings and brush. Start your flock in areas close to such nesting places or add bushy plants and shrubbery to your property. Stay away from the mother ducks when they lay their eggs and begin to nest. When the mother ducks are sitting on their eggs, they do not like humans near their nests.