More and more people want to have a duck as a pet and it is no longer uncommon to wonder if it is possible for a duck to adapt to a human home and lifestyle. As it is a very sociable, clean and intelligent animal, the duck can live perfectly with people, but they will need to receive the appropriate care to maintain their good he alth and stable behavior.
In this article on our site, we will tell you how to take care of a duck, focusing on feeding, environmental conditioning and essential care to preserve your good he alth. Do not miss these tips!
The Domestic Duck
The term "duck" refers to various birds with extraordinary adaptation to aquatic environments that belong to the great family Anatidae. When we talk about the domestic duck, we generally refer to the subspecies Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, which has been developed for many years from the selective breeding of the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), a species of wild duck with migratory habits that lives in Asia, Europe, North America and northern Africa.
Nevertheless, around 40 species of ducks are known, which are subdivided into six subfamilies. In the same species, we can find two or more subspecies and it is also possible that, within a subspecies, different breeds of ducks develop from selective crosses. Likewise, not all of these birds have undergone a domestication process, rather most types of ducks remain in the wild and cannot, or at least They should not be adopted as pets.
Types of ducks
The different species of ducks are divided into two large groups: the domestic ducks and the ducks wild As a type of duck with a wide geographical distribution, which has optimally adapted to captive breeding and coexistence with human beings, the subspecies Anas platyrhynchos domesticus has ended up establishing itself as the domestic duck by excellence.
For several years it has been the most commonly adopted type of duck as a pet and can be found on most farms. Throughout their domestication process, various breeds have been developed from selective crosses, to obtain some desired characteristics and optimize their breeding in captivity. For this reason, we can currently find several types of domestic duck, the most popular being the one called Peking Duck However, there are also other types of domestic duck, such as it may be the musk duck, which consists of a domestic subspecies of the so-called Creole ducks (Cairina moschata).
Next, we will share several tips for caring for a domestic duck, but always keep in mind that each species or type of duck may require some specific care to maintain its good he alth. Therefore, it is always important to consult a veterinarian or duck breeding specialist before deciding to adopt a pet duck.
Feeding the domestic duck
To know how to care for a domestic duck, it is essential to know what ducks eat to provide them with a complete and balanced diet. To begin with, ducks are omnivorous animals, that is, their body is prepared to digest food of animal and vegetable origin.
In their natural habitat, ducks maintain a fairly varied diet that can incorporate practically all the elements available in their environment. In its daily life, a duck can consume insects, aquatic plants, seeds, algae and small fish, always depending on the availability of food in each season of the year.
When we talk about feeding the domestic duck, we must be clear about the importance of providing a varied omnivorous diet that fully meets its requirements nutritional. In specialized stores, you can find some formulas of balanced feed for ducks, which can be a good alternative as the basis of your birds' diet, since they contain proportions of all the essential nutrients for your body.
However, we advise you to incorporate fresh and natural foods to complement the diet of the domestic duck and provide them with a good amount of fiber and water. In addition to including cereals, seeds, vegetables and fruits, it is also interesting to buy worms, insects, small fish and crustaceans to add animal protein to your diet. Ground egg shells and unsweetened yogurt will also be great sources of calcium, but should be offered in more moderation.
In addition, it will be essential to offer your birds duck grit, since they will need to eat it in moderate amounts to help grind the food they eat. they consume. As well as leaving a container with fresh and clean water within reach, so that you can stay well hydrated.
Allowed and prohibited foods for ducks
Here's a look at some of the best fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds for ducks:
- Alfafa
- Rice
- Oatmeal
- Tender shoots
- Cauliflower
- Peaches
- Beans
- Sunflower
- Green peas
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Corn
- Corn
- Apple
- Peach
- Cantaloupe
- Darling
- Cucumber
- Pear
- Peppers
- Pineapple
- Banana
- Beetroot
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Wheat
- Grapes
- Carrot
Regarding fruits, do not forget that they contain a relatively high level of natural sugars. Therefore, they should be offered in a moderate way to the ducks so as not to harm their he alth or promote overweight.
Duck Prohibited Foods
Although they have a great digestive capacity, there are some potentially toxic foods for ducks that cannot be part of their diet. Next, we review some of them:
- Stuffed, industrialized, fried, and/or spiced human food.
- Chocolate and chocolate drinks.
- Avocado.
- Coffee and caffeinated beverages.
- Human treats in general (candy, gum, cookies, etc.).
- Milk and dairy products (especially high-fat ones).
Where the domestic duck lives
Conditioning the space is another fundamental factor in knowing how to care for a domestic duck, offering it the optimal conditions for its physical and cognitive development. Ducks are present on all continents, with the logical exception of Antarctica. The natural habitat of each species and subspecies usually varies according to their place of origin, they live near lakes, swamps, river beds, ponds and streams Most of the species is better adapted to freshwater bodies, although there are some types of ducks adapted to brackish waters.
Ducks typically spend several hours of their day at the surface of the water, where they feed, exercise, and preen. Therefore, when adopting a domestic duck, it is essential to have a pond, a pool or another object that fulfills this function of storing water. And it will also be to provide adequate hygiene to this reservoir, to prevent the accumulation of impurities and food residues that favor the proliferation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the water.
Although the aquatic environment is essential for their development, domestic ducks also need a terrestrial environment to walk, obtain heat and dry their bodies. In this environment, must have a shelter where they can take shelter from adverse weather conditions, protect themselves and feel comfortable to rest at night. A rabbit hutch or chicken coop can make a great "home" for your ducks, but make sure it's the right size to accommodate them comfortably.
Again, we want to reinforce that ducks are very clean animals that spend several hours of their days grooming their plumage and keeping their environment clean. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a good hygiene routine in the environment where your ducks live. In addition to changing the food and water daily, you must be careful to avoid the accumulation of droppings and food remains. To facilitate the collection of droppings, we advise you to cover the floor of your duck house with sand.
Duck diseases
Although they are hardy animals that can live up to 15 years in captivity, domestic ducks can also be affected by some common diseases in birds, or by common parasites in birds, such as mites and intestinal parasites. On a day-to-day basis, it is important to be aware of the following symptoms that may indicate that your duck is sick:
- Nasal swelling, redness, or runny nose
- Alterations in your stools, either consistency (very hard or very soft) or color (yellowish, reddish or black)
- Respiratory distress
- Ruffled, dull, or dirty-looking feathers
- Eye redness or discharge
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in your usual behavior
To prevent these symptoms from harming the he alth of your ducks, do not neglect the hygiene of their environment and always provide complete and balanced nutritionto strengthen your immune system. In addition, it will be important to provide adequate preventive medicine to your ducks, always consulting a specialized veterinary at least once a year.
Beyond physical conditions, ducks can also be negatively impacted on an emotional level when they do not have an enriched environment and a routine appropriate to their cognitive and social needs. Therefore, if you decide to adopt a duck as a pet, you will need to pay attention to its mental stimulation and always reserve a special moment of your day to interact with your companion. In addition, some websites and specialized stores are already beginning to offer toys and accessories to enrich the environment of the ducks, as is the case with Etsy.
Ducks are also very social animals, which are used to living in groups. Loneliness usually affects them very easily, and can lead to behavioral problems and cases of depression. For this reason, it is generally recommended to adopt at least one pair of ducks, so that they can minimally interact with another individual of their species.
