Projects - Raising Ducks In The City

Although the right breed of ducks can be a wonderful resource for your garden and farm, their uses can range far beyond utility use. With a quick waddle-step and a permanently silly grin fixed on their faces, these birds can toddle right into your heart, providing hours of antics and fun. Easily imprinted on humans when raised as ducklings, they can become loyal as dogs and will happily absorb as much attention as they can possibly garner while following everywhere you go.

Of course, a duck's usefulness will ensure that these birds will be a welcomed addition to your life. Gardeners will be happy to learn that ducks are enthusiastic bug eaters. Some of a duck's favorite foods are slugs, snails, grubs, grasshoppers, and pillbugs and will be gobbled down like candy. Ducks are also very handy for disposing kitchen and garden scraps. Favorite leafy greens include spinach, cabbage, lettuce, grass, and practically anything salad vegetables. Besides the regular garden-variety insects, ducks enjoy catching flies and mosquitoes, and eating mosquito larvae in ponds or standing water.

Before purchasing a duck, remember that as with all animals, ducks require your commitment to their health and well-being. Do extensive research to learn about ducks before making your decision. Ducklings require a lot more maintenance and monitoring than a fully grown duck but will bond to you quickly and thoroughly. Although they cannot be housetrained, ducks can be trained almost as well as any dog in performing simple feats.

Duck breeds can range from the beautiful Mandarin Ducks, to the common Mallard Ducks of the wild and to the domesticated-bred Pekins, Indian Runners and Khaki Campbells. While Mandarins, Mallards and Silver Appleyards are considered some of the most beautiful, the domesticated breeds are the most popular for pets and farm-uses since they are the best layers of eggs. Indian Runners are popular egg-layers but the Khaki Campbell holds the record for the most eggs laid in a year -- 365!

A Khaki Campbell's impressive egg laying capabilities is one of its most recognizable characteristic. Widely considered the most productive laying duck, hens have been consistently recorded to lay an average of 350 eggs per year. Their eggs are large, have smooth white shells and a very pleasant and mild flavor.

The breed was developed in England during 1901 by a Mrs. Adele Campbell of Uley, Gloucestershire who crossed an Indian Runner duck with a Rouen, effectively combining egg-laying capability and medium sized bird. While they do not require swimming water, Khaki Campbells definitely enjoy it and will blissfully play in a kiddie pool full of fresh water for hours.

The traits of a Khaki Campbells is desirable among home flocks, making them one of the most popular waterfowl in the world. With rich seal brown plumage penciled with soft white, these birds are very beautiful to behold whether they are a part of your farm landscape or a family portrait of pets.

A lot of love and care is mostly all that is needed to raise these birds and your effort will be rewarded by the loyal affection of these fun animals.

BACKYARD DUCKS