How to Breed Ducks

With nearly 22 million ducks raised in the United States each year, more and more small farm operations are adding ducks to their yards. Besides being a pleasure to watch in the yard and the pond, ducks can provide a source of high-quality meat for personal or commercial consumption.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brooder box made of plywood or heavy cardboard
• Heat lamp
• Newspapers or other absorbent paper
• Commercial duck feed

Prepare for a New Flock

1. Do your homework. Find out about the different types of ducks available and find one that suits your purposes. Some are good for meat, some for laying eggs and some for adding beauty to your farmyard.

2. Build a home for your flock. A small duck shelter will provide warmth for the ducks on cold nights. An abandoned chicken coop or small shed will work beautifully.

3. Provide a pond for your ducks. Whether it is made of plastic, concrete or is a natural pond, the ducks will need a small body of water for swimming.

4. Order eggs or ducklings from a reputable supplier. These will be the basis of your new flock of ducks.

Breed the Flock

5. Establish your breeding groups. Each group will consist of one drake and several females. It is best to group the ducks in the fall so they can become familiar with each other before spring breeding season.

6. Allow the birds to breed (this will take little encouragement from you). Then, since ducks are not good brooders, you will have to collect the eggs every day.

7. Prepare the eggs for incubation. Be sure to mark the laying date on each egg to track the time it will need to incubate. Then wash any dirt or droppings off the eggs to keep the incubator free of bacteria.

8. Store the eggs in a room with a temperature between 59 and 65 degrees until you have enough for a clutch. Keep the humidity of the room at 70 percent. Turn the eggs at least three times a day and begin incubating them before they are a week old.

Raise a New Flock

9. Move the ducklings to a warm brooder box (between 90 and 95 degrees) as soon as they are dry. As they grow you can gradually decrease the temperature. By the time they are 4 weeks old, they will not need artificial heat.

10. Line the brooder box with old newspapers and change them frequently to keep the box clean. Always remove leftover or spilled food to prevent fungus from growing in the box and making the ducklings sick.

11. Feed the ducklings commercial duckling pellets six or seven times a day. Always keep fresh water available for your ducklings. Switch to a diet for adult ducks by the time the ducklings are 4 to 5 weeks old.

12. Move your ducklings into their shelter and allow them to graze outside during the day.