For some, chickens just won’t cut it. Ducks may offer more of a challenge in rearing but the rewards are just as plentiful; companionship, teaching responsibility, a source of livelihood and a waddle that will provide hours of entertainment!
Most of the essentials necessary for a successful duck farm are identical to a chicken’s. They both need plenty of attention, a healthy diet, clean water to drink as well as a clean and dry shelter with adequate lighting where they will rest, preen and be protected from the elements as well as predators.
There are two main differences to take into consideration before choosing ducks over chickens. Firstly, most varieties of ducks can fly and fly well. They will leave your farm and fly south if you let them. You may loose most of your ducks this way although it is not uncommon for a duck to return to its original farm after a winter down south. To prevent this, you may consider clipping one or both of the duck’s wings. Another way to make sure your ducks stick around is to not let them roam. You could build an enclosed shelter big enough to accommodate your ducks all year round. Unfortunately, not everyone will have the space or the means to build such a grand structure. If living in an urban setting and want to raise a small domesticated family of ducks, clipping the wings is the only option to ensure your ducks stay in the yard. It will also keep them safe from other domesticated animals. Your duck may fly over the fence into another yard that houses a dog. Most dogs will instinctually chase and kill a duck. Although if you have a dog and are worried about this, there are ways to train a dog to protect a flock, rather than to eat them.
The other main difference is that ducks are water birds. Although having a pond is not essential or necessary for survival, it will make for a cleaner and happier bird. The pond will offer cool relief on hot days but it also helps keep the birds cleaner. Although ducks like to preen their feathers, their bills make it harder to stay clean without water as opposed to the chicken who can clean themselves very efficiently without it. The pond can also offer other benefits for the self-reliant family; a chance to raise fish, water for the surrounding wildlife and emergency water in case of a fire. However if a pond is not an option, a deep water dish will suffice and will be needed for the ducks to thrive.
However, the commonality between chickens and ducks is that they both offer a great sustainable livelihood for a family. What’s more, both offer great tasting eggs as well as meat. Still, ducks do have more down-feathers that can be collected and sold or kept to make warm bedding and coats. Usually feathers would be collected when the bird is killed for meat, live-plucking without harming the duck is possible if they are willing to co-operate and don’t mind being held. A domesticated duck may even be easier for this process.
If you are looking for a sustainable and self-reliant living, the challenge of duck farming may be the right choice for you. Even the enthusiast can enjoy a small flock of domesticated ducks and reap the same benefits on a smaller scale.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_duck
http://www.duckhealth.com/basecare.html