Thinking Of Getting Ducklings? Here’s What You Need To Know

Thinking of getting ducklings? There’s just a few things you should know before diving in.
Ducklings are among the cutest little critters you could ever see. But they do grow into full-grown quacking ducks someday. Which require a considerable amount of knowledge and care to keep healthy. So before diving in and purchasing your first ducklings, let’s discuss the true cost of getting and owning ducks.  Interested in owning backyard birds in general? This blog post Owning Ducks Vs Chickens may be a good read for you!

As a lifelong duck owner and lover, I write this from a perspective of true admiration for these whimsical birds. There’s much more to owning ducks than people might think. There are also some bigger costs involved if you’re starting from square one. But with the knowledge from this post, you can buy ducklings this year, with full confidence in your commitment. So let’s dive in! 

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​Things to consider before buying ducklings: 

• Your backyard area: Does your area have enough room for a kiddie pool, small pond, or some container of water the ducks will be able to fully immerse their whole bodies in?
• Climate Considerations: What is the climate like where you live? Does it freeze half the year? If so, you’ll need to buy heated waterers, or be changing out the ducks water very frequently. If you live somewhere where it’s very hot, will your ducks be provided full access to water, constantly on hot days? 
• Maintenance: There is a time commitment involved with the daily maintenance of ducks. They need fresh food and water every day, to be let out of their coop (if they don’t have a run), and to be observed regularly so that you notice if there health is declining for any reason
• Commitment: On average, ducks can easily live around 7 years. But if taken care of well, they can live between 10-15 years.  That’s longer than most chickens and some dog breeds! 
  

Still thinking of getting ducklings but needing more info? Let’s talk in-depth about domestic duck ownership to help you decide if owning backyard ducks is right for you!

Time Commitment:

 Ducks can be lower maintenance pets. You don’t need to give them daily attention, walk them, feed them multiple times etc.. But there are daily chores involved. (especially at the beginning if you buy day old ducklings). Let’s talk about the time commitment of raising domestic ducks: 

• Daily maintenance : Especially for newly hatched ducklings, you need to check on them a few times a day for their well-being. You must maintain fresh water, food, and check on them periodically to make sure their bedding isn’t too soiled or wet. That all the baby ducks have adequate heat, and look generally healthy. Adult ducks need less maintenance and don’t take much time. They do need daily fresh water and food as well. Aside from feeding and watering, letting them out the free range, (if you can do that), and collecting duck eggs, ducks are pretty low fuss birds. 
•  Housing: Ducks do need to have clean bedding to stay healthy. Especially if they cannot free range or you don’t have a duck run. Ducks that live their lives confined are more prone to parasites and nutritional deficiency. At the least, their bedding needs to be fairly clean and dry.  Food, and fresh water maintained in order to have a good life and stay healthy. Checking to make sure nothing is able to or actively trying to get to your birds from the outside, is a good practice to keep your birds safe. 
• Longterm commitment: Most pet ducks can live between 7-10 years – but up to 15 if taken good care of. It’s also important to note, their prime laying years are until the age of 4-5 based on the breed. So you could have some old ducks around for a long time after they stop laying eggs consistently. Considering how long they can live is important when thinking about getting ducklings. They aren’t short-term pets by any means. 

COST:

Ducks aren’t cheap. At least not at the beginning. Let’s talk about the cost considerations before you buy your brand new birds: 

Ducklings: There is the cost of the bird themselves, based on the breed, where you purchase, number of ducklings purchased. In general, ducklings are almost double the price of baby chicks if not more. A few ducks  can range from $14 to a few hundred dollars. There is also the cost of a brooder (box, container, or cage that you first keep young ducklings in. The heat source that all young ducklings need whether that is a lamp, or a heat pad (we love this one ). The cost of the bedding, a feeder, waterer, and food.

Ducklings have different nutritional needs than fully grown birds, so you need to buy them specific food for their age. Chick starter feed can be okay, but not the best option. Ducklings need higher levels of niacin and protein content so you’ll have to supplement that if buying chick starter. All of these costs can vary. You could possibly borrow a brooder, heat lamp, etc which can help with the initial cost. Overall, buying new ducklings can range from $100 to $500 easily based on what ducklings and supplies you buy. 

Coop and yard: If you have an outdoor building or garden shed to convert into a duck coop, you’re in luck!  Your cost may be fairly low. If you are buying all new materials or a pre-made coop, the starting cost can be around $600 (at least in the midwest). You also need to consider their nesting areas, bedding, their water situation, and a run (if they cannot free range) into your costs. As well as maintaining equipment like their feeder, winter heating for cold weather and lighting if you want to keep lights on them during the winter so that they keep laying eggs. All of these materials and supplies can range greatly. 

There is also the option of finding supplies from websites like Facebook marketplace or craigslist. I have seen people selling supplies, sheds, and chicken coops for cheap or free. Overall, your initial coop and supplies cost can range from around $250 to $1-5k. Based on what you choose to do and where you live. 

Maintenance costs: A bag of duck feed can range from $10 to $25. Based on how many birds you have, whether they get kitchen scraps or free range, and how old your birds are really can affect your overall food cost. Bedding can be multiple different materials from pine shavings, to hay, or other natural material. This can cost from $6 a bag, to $40 a bale easily. There may also be supplement costs like a niacin supplement ( like brewer’s yeast), AVC, dewormer, diatomaceous earth, and treats. Some of their favorite treats are fresh watermelon, peas, or mealworms. Monthly maintenance of ducks can range from $30 to $100+

Vet costs: Vets who treat birds can be harder to find, and cost quite a bit. If you don’t know how to care for common ailments yourself, or have a friend who has the know-how, a duck with a health issue can cost a lot! So that is something to consider if you are thinking of getting ducklings. What will you do if one of your ducks get sick or has an injury issue? Will you have resources around you available to maintain a healthy flock?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREED: 

There are many factors to consider when choosing the duck breed of your first ducks. There are a wide variety of duck breeds to choose from. Let’s dive into the facts that may help you choose which duck breeds are right for you before you buy your baby ducks. 

Utility: What is your primary reasoning for buying ducks? 

Are you wanting meat birds? To get ducks for meat you need to consider the best duck breeds for meat production. There are multiple meat bird varieties to choose from.

Wanting fresh eggs? Different duck breeds have varying egg production, and are more or less likely to be good mothers. For example, Khaki Campbells are good layers. Although we have personally not found them to be good mothers. Moscovy ducks, on the other hand, are excellent mothers. 

Pets: If you’re mostly wanting a few cute bird pets, there are duck breeds that fit that category. Call ducks are one of these breeds.

Do You care if they fly? There are multiple breeds of ducks that can fly. Mallard ducks, Moscovy ducks, Call ducks, and most exotic ducks can fly. Runner ducks do not fly, and are good foragers making them a natural choice if you’re wanting to avoid flying ducks. 

WHERE TO BUY:

Farm store: If you are hoping to buy week-old ducklings, you can buy them at your local farm store (like TSC) during the spring, sometimes through the fall. They usually have scheduled arrival days for the chicks and ducklings so ask a worker (if you are wanting first pick) so you know when to check for them! Farm stores typically get overstock ducklings from large hatcheries. Because of this, the duck breeds you get are much less predictable. Baby ducks are almost always sold straight run (not defined gender), and the store will sometimes mark the breeds wrong.

The benefits of buying ducks from a farm store is that you can get them same day. They’re also usually the cheapest option to buy. You can find stores frequently mark down chicks and ducklings to 1/2 price after a week of being at the store. 

Local breeder: Finding a local breeder to buy your ducklings from is a good option if you’re wanting to support local small businesses and also get specific breeds. There are Facebook groups for local areas where breeders advertise when they’re hatching, and what breeds. To find these groups, you simply look up “*your state* ducks”  and at least one group should come up. The cons to buying local are: more expensive, limited breeds, usually not sexed.

The pros to buying local: supporting a family, not shipping the ducklings, potentially specialized breeds, someone to ask questions to if they come up. Local farms are also the best choice for you if you are wanting ready-to-lay young ducks which are often 6 months old, but they are much more expensive than ducklings. 

Online: If you are wanting specific or specialized breeds, guaranteed gender, and sometimes a limited warranty, buying online may be the way to go. You will find online hatcheries have the widest varieties of breeds, and guarantees in place. Buying online will be the most expensive option for buying ducklings. The ducklings are only available within a limited window, and must be shipped in the mail. I personally do not like shipping chicks or ducklings through the mail. It can be very hard on the young poultry. There isn’t guaranteed climate control, and you need to be able to get to the post office ASAP once you get the call that your ducklings have arrived. 

There is a convenience factor to ordering online, you can usually pre order, the exact breed and gender you want, within a certain time frame so if you’re a planner who likes to think ahead, this is a great perk. 

CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS: 

You have to take your climate into consideration when buying  ducklings, and equipment for your ducks. How will you keep them warm during the winter (in you have extreme cold temps) and how will you keep them hydrated and give them shade if you have extreme heat. Ducks need daily access to plenty of clean water to stay healthy, no matter what climate or time of year. 

LEGAL AND ZONING CONSIDERATIONS:

In the US, there are different local laws and regulations based on if you’re in an urban area or rural, in an HOA or not. Many urban areas allow chickens, but no not allow ducks, or at least not until you request it. Since ducks aren’t as common as chickens, they may need to consider it before approval. They also may not be allowed to free-range. 

Some information to figure out before you purchase your ducklings would be: 

1. Local regulations : are ducks allowed in your area?

2. Permits and restrictions: You’ll have to check with either your county clerk or HOA board for this information

3. Noise and space limits: considerations if you live in an urban area 

THE COOP: 

This is by no means a complete guide to how to build a duck coop (or duck house) , but here are some tips to get you started. A duck coop and chicken coop are very similar, with just a few differences. So looking at chicken coops while shopping can be fine as long as you know the specific needs of ducks you’ll need to add on. Pinterest has some great blueprints and ideas for a DIY chicken coop. 

What is a duck coop: A duck coop is a building or structure where ducks are housed to keep them safe from predators, harsh  weather, and give them a place to sleep at night. It often includes both an indoor area where sleep sleep and lay eggs, and an outdoor space for them to roam and forage called a run. If your ducks can free range (which is ideal), you may not need a run, but they can be useful for a mother duck with young ducklings, or a duck that needs to be monitored for health issues. 

How big should a coop be: The size of the coop depends on how many ducks you have and the breed of duck. A general rule of thumb is 4-6 square feet of floor space per duck. For good health, ducks should have  12-16 square feet per duck in the outdoor run. Ducks need space to move around, and overcrowding can lead to stress and health problems. Free-range ducks will use their coop to lay eggs and take shelter at night, but not much else. 

Proper Ventilation: Ample airflow is essential for preventing the buildup of moisture and ammonia the coop, which can harm ducks. Look for or build a coop design with windows or vents that can be opened or closed as needed. Changing bedding frequently also minimizes these issues. 

Protection from Predators: A good duck coop needs to keep your waterfowl safe from predators like raccoons, foxes, and hawks. To ensure the coop is secure use strong materials and multiple different materials. Using hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which can be more resistant to predators. Since air predators are also a threat, be sure the top of the coop and run are completely covered. It’s surprising that even owls can fit into very small holes! 

Nesting Boxes: Laying ducks prefer a quiet, private place to lay their eggs, especially if they go broody. But they don’t necessarily need nesting boxes. Ducks tend to drop their eggs wherever they are at the moment. Even in their pool. Having plenty of bedding in their coop helps keep the eggs more clean, although keeping eggs clean is always an issue with ducks because they are so mucky. 

Food and Water: For your own convenience, and the ducks health, your coop should have a reliable system for providing fresh water and food. Automatic feeders can help ensure your ducks have constant access to food. These can be bought online or at your local farm store.

However, the water situation is more complicated. Ducks need to be able to at least dunk their entire head in water to stay healthy. This allows their nasal passages to stay clean, and for them to spread the oil from their oil glands on their heads/feathers. If they can’t do this, they are prone to eye infections.

For an in-coop duck waterer, you can use a water bowl or tub. But this is very messy. They will jump into it right away and spread their water everywhere. Some people choose to put a grate under their water area to prevent so much water dispersion. Other people put a grate over the waterer so that they can only dip their heads, but not their whole body. Keeping their coop clean and dry during the winter months can be a challenge with duck water situations. 

Duck FAQS: 

Do I need a drake (male duck): Male ducks function as flock security, and ensure your eggs are fertilized. If you are wanting fertilized eggs, yes. But, female ducks do not need a drake to lay eggs. 

What does “go broody” mean: A broody duck is a female duck that is preparing to incubate a nest of eggs. She will stop laying and focus on sitting on the eggs for 20+ days. You can tell a broody duck by her temperament and how often/protective she is on the nest. Not all ducks go broody. 

How long does it take a female duck to lay eggs: Typically 4-8 months. 

Can you make ducks more personable?: Certainly! By holding them often while they are baby ducklings, and continuing that relationship through adulthood you will create very friendly ducks. 

What color eggs do ducks lay?: Ducks typically lay large, white eggs. Mallards and Call ducks lay lighter blue eggs, and Cayuga ducks can lay gray/blackish eggs.

Conclusion: 

If you have dreamed for years of owning your own flock of ducks, this might be your year! I hope this post informed you of how owning ducks can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to weigh the cost, time commitment, and responsibilities before diving in. If you’re ready to jump in, ducks can bring joy, sustainability, and companionship to your life. So, whether you’re looking for fresh eggs, or to simply enjoy the quirky charm of these feathered friends, owning ducks might be the right fit for you—just make sure you’re ready for the responsibility!

Are you ready for your own flock?

Let me know in the comments! 

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This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy here.