When I ask that question I think there is an obvious answer but apparently not and I really did get some weird answer off people...but that is getting away from what was there.
It didn't actually start off in my pond but I kind of herded it/them there from down near the gate...have you guessed yet??
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| DUCKS!!!!!! well ok...one duck and 8 ducklings!! |
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| I just glanced up from working on my plot and there they were nibbling around other peoples plots. |
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| When I first approached Mum was a little antsy but soon settled when she realised I was no threat. I walked them off the allotments onto the path but they didn't seem to know where to go. |
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| I gave them some water which the ducklings jumped into but after mum had had her fill she started wandering towards the gate. This worried me a bit as it leads to a road with a blind corner so the only thing I could think of doing was 'herding' them to the bee plot pond which is right the other side of the allotments. |
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| As you can see they loved it. Mum even jumped in for a dunk too. how incredibly cute to have some duckling in my pond and see them enjoying it!! |
Any one got any experience with keeping ducks?? I think they can turn over land quite quick and we wouldn't want the plot destroyed but would just a couple do that??
Any knowledge any one has either first hand or from knowing somebody who has ducks would be much appreciated.
Oh and on a last note....aren't the duckling CUTE!!!!
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Yes, I used to keep ducks when I was younger. We had 6 mallards (2 male, 4 female) and a male muscovy (same breed as your duck above).
ReplyDeleteDucks are very destructive for vegetation. They can and will wreck almost anything they can get their beaks into in search of food.
Of course the good side is that they eat slugs and snail which we seem to be plagued with this year.
If you're going to keep ducks, a constant supply of water needs to be procured. Not just a pond or bath tub. You need it constantly running to keep the water healthy because they make a muddy mess.
Personally I'd advise against keeping ducks on an Allotment. They'd be more trouble than they're worth.
All sounds very dishearening...the idea is lovely but i don't want to destroy all the hard work i have so far put into the plot . Thanks for all your info. It has certainly given me some things to think about.
DeleteAre they muscovy ducks? Someone on our site had ducks but I don't know much about them, They didn't grow anything in the pens whether this was choice or the ducks ate everything I don't know. I think they put them inside a hut on a night to protect from foxes. Do domestic ducks have wings clipped so they can;t fly away?
ReplyDeleteYes they wre Sue. I don't know whether ducks wings are clipped or not although if you read the above comment I think it will proably be a no go on getting some anyway although i will do a little more research first!!
DeleteWhat cute visitors you had. I don't know a thing about ducks but it looks like you've already gotten a very good answer to your question
ReplyDeleteI did get a good answer...if not quite the one I was hoping for! :-(
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