Why Keep Ducks

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

- Chris Ashton

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.