Duck-keeping is often inspired by pond ownership.
Any area of
water is enhanced by a few ducks floating on it. If this is your
motivation for going into duck-keeping, it is worth bearing three
important facts in mind.
- Duck eggs can transmit dysentery and other illnesses — still
water is a great source of tummy bugs. If you intend to eat or sell
the eggs, make sure that the pond is continuously being filled and
emptied. Or better still keep the ducks off the water.
- If you intend to eat or sell for eating fat ducks, again keep them
off the water. Exercising in water leads to tough ducks.
- Baby ducklings do not always float and mother ducks seem to
be unaware of this fact. Again keep them off the pond. In fact,
ducks are not nature's most careful mothers and duck eggs are
really safest brought off under a broody hen. Of course, she will
not have the slightest inclination to take them off for an instant
bath. Having said all that against the pond, there are a couple of
reasons why you should allow ducks on to it. One reason is that
the heavier breeds of duck often find it difficult to mate unless
they are on the water. Therefore, when you want your eggs
fertilised, let the birds mate on the water, collect the eggs and
incubate them artificially or under a broody. The second reason
is that ducks really do love water so if all you want to do is
improve your view then let them on to it. Ornamental birds can
have free access to water if you are breeding them. Mandarin
ducks and other ornamental waterfowl sell very well if they are in
prime condition and swimming around certainly keeps them sleek