Why Keep Ducks
Practical Poultry|Sept - Oct 2017

If you have space and water, they are easier to keep than chickens, says CHRIS ASHTON.

Chris Ashton
Why Keep Ducks

From troubles of the world I turn to ducks, beautiful, comical things’ – so said Tom Bartlett when he quoted F.W.Harvey’s poem in his video about domestic ducks. Harvey had been a soldier during the First World War, and many of his poems were written whilst he was a prisoner of war in Germany. This Gloucestershire man saw the duck as an emblem, an ambassador of humour in a troubled world. Tom was a great ambassador for waterfowl too, and Folly Farm near Bourton on the Water, also in Gloucestershire, became well known for ducks and geese in the eighties and nineties. Sadly, Tom died this year (2017), but he is remembered by many people for his enthusiasm and generosity.

Ducks can, indeed, be captivating creatures and seem to occupy a part of everyone’s childhood, whether on the canal, municipal pond or smallholding. This fascination is linked with the ducks’ relationship with water. Dabbling in mud, up-ending in weed, and slurping on the water’s surface, ducks are at ease with the world and are perfect to create a relaxing environment after a hard day at work.

Plenty of breeds and colours to chose from

If you only want ducks for fun - not for eggs or for the table - then the smaller domestic ducks such as Call ducks and Miniature Appleyards are cheaper to keep than the larger breeds. Their appetite is smaller and, of course, they require less space. These little ducks are kept as pets and as show birds, for Call ducks come in an array of colours. They are generally poor layers but great characters, whilst the miniature ducks can be good layers and sitters and are useful all-round birds.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Sept - Oct 2017-Ausgabe von Practical Poultry.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Sept - Oct 2017-Ausgabe von Practical Poultry.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS PRACTICAL POULTRYAlle anzeigen
Growing food for Chickens
Practical Poultry

Growing food for Chickens

Mary Larham explores some crops to grow on your holding…

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Poultry in the garden – the truth!
Practical Poultry

Poultry in the garden – the truth!

Jo-Jane Buxton shares her experiences

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
The British Waterfowl Association
Practical Poultry

The British Waterfowl Association

Which came first, the goose or the egg?

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
WHY FIT A FAN IN AN INCUBATOR?
Practical Poultry

WHY FIT A FAN IN AN INCUBATOR?

Brinsea Products, the Incubation Specialists explain the difference between still air and forced draught

time-read
8 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Incubating turkey eggs
Practical Poultry

Incubating turkey eggs

Janice Houghton-Wallace looks at broody turkeys and artificial incubation

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Chicken nesting box herbs
Practical Poultry

Chicken nesting box herbs

Diana Clauss owns The Blue Feather Farm, in St Cloud, Florida, home to chickens, ducks, goats, and Anatolian Shepherd dogs.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Incubate in January?
Practical Poultry

Incubate in January?

Jessica Wombwell says plan the breeding

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Andy's DIARY
Practical Poultry

Andy's DIARY

Andy emphases the importance of keeping out damp and wet but allowing ventilation even in cold weather

time-read
5 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
Feeding for Breeding
Practical Poultry

Feeding for Breeding

It may be winter, but as Joanna Palmer, nutritionist for Smallholder Range explains, now’s the time to get your flock in tiptop shape and plan ahead for a successful breeding season next spring.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January - February 2020
A chick named Cuckoo raised by a duck!
Practical Poultry

A chick named Cuckoo raised by a duck!

Chris Hammacott and her husband live on a small croft in the Outer Hebrides, they keep a ‘no kill’ flock or rare and rescue sheep which they use to spin and weave rugs. They also share the 8 acres with hens, ducks, cats and 9 rescue pugs.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
January - February 2020