Running ducks in the garden put a smile on our faces when they waddle happily and hunt for snails and other pests. To ensure that the cute beneficial insects feel in good hands, important precautions must be taken when it comes to keeping and caring for them. You can find out what these are here.
What do you need to keep ducks in the garden?
To keep ducks in a species-appropriate manner in the garden, you need a small stable, a pond or watering holes, a high fence and at least two ducks. Snails, insects, chicken grain feed and unseasoned leftover food serve as food.
Basic elements for species-appropriate husbandry – an overview
With their upright gait and long neck, runner ducks are unmistakable. The flightless water birds are also very agile and love running and swimming. Until gardeners recognized their qualities as beneficial insects, the cute bottle ducks were kept primarily for their tasty eggs. The following basic elements make life easy for you and your running ducks in the garden:
- A small stable as a place of retreat and protection from robbers
- A medium to large pond with a gravel path for access
- Alternatively, several water points for drinking and splashing around
- A fence at least 180 cm high
Please note that runner ducks are very sociable. Therefore, do not expect a duck or drake to live a lonely life as a solitary animal. Ideally, you should settle the waterfowl as a small flock or at least in pairs. For the sake of peace, keep either an all-male flock of ducks or a drake and several ducks. With a single lady and numerous drakes, trouble and constant, loud chatter are inevitable.
Easy to care for and very sociable – tips about care
The bigger the garden, the more natural food is available for your running ducks. At the top of the menu are snails, their larvae and eggs as well as insects, small animals and pests. Nevertheless, feeding should be carried out regularly, especially in winter and in smaller areas. Grain feed is well suited for chickens. The birds also do not disdain leftover food from the lunch table. Pasta, potatoes or rice are often consumed. Spicy foods, on the other hand, make the animals uncomfortable.
Tip
If you create a new garden or bed, the ducks should stay in the enclosure for about 2 weeks. Otherwise, the tender young plants will fall victim to hungry beaks. If perennials and flowers have grown well, ducks no longer cause any significant damage.
