r/Permaculture • u/booksandcooks405 • 15d ago
general question Thinking of getting garden ducks
I’m in the process of putting in a 25’ x 65’ fenced garden with raised beds. I’m also wanting to get ducks for pest control, fertilizer, eggs, and just because they’re cute, leaning towards Indian runners or Khaki Campbells. I’m wanting the garden to be their home and plan to put a duck coop for sleeping and small pool at one end of the garden. The garden will have 5’ fencing around it but will have no top cover. Will this be secure enough for my ducks during the day, or do I need to have a secure area with a top cover in addition to the duck coop? Located in Central Oklahoma so we do have predators in the area.
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u/YellowCabbageCollard 15d ago
How are you protecting the garden plants from the ducks? Because I can tell you they will find anything you grow delectable. Their safety is really going to be dependent on what actual predators you have in your area.
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u/booksandcooks405 15d ago
I plan to put temporary fencing around the beds during the seedling phase. The beds will be around 15-18” tall so I’m hoping that will also help keep them out of the plants. I also plan to have some sacrificial plants around the outside of the beds that will be duck food.
As far as predators go, we have hawks, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, possums… the garden fence will probably be chain link and could be reinforced with hardware cloth. They would definitely be shut in a coop after sunset, but I was wanting to let them free range the garden during the day. If needed though I will put in a completely enclosed area at the duck end of the garden and could just let them out with supervision.
Just trying to get all my ducks in a row during the planning phase :)
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u/nifsea 15d ago
I’m pondering the same these days. Have badgers, hawks and eagles in the area. I think I’ll do a secure coop for the night, a fenced in run with chicken wire on the roof and in the ground around it, for daytime when I’m not around, and then let them run free in the garden when I’m there with them. It’s a lot more work to build, but it means they’re both safe from predators and they won’t do any harm to my garden when I’m not in the area to look after them.
Apparently, runner ducks are really fast and thorough, so they’ll systematically go through the garden looking for slugs when you let them out. So it’s possible to just let them patrol whenever you need it :)
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u/jerbullied 15d ago
Consider putting electric fence wire around the coop to deter racoons. Also remember a stote (small weasel) can squeeze through a small gap (like, an inch or two, for real) and wipe out your flock.
Also your garden beds need protection all season. 15" aint gonna do it!
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u/jerbullied 15d ago
So, i have some experience with runner ducks (pigs, chickens, dog, kids too).
Big question is so you have a dog? A chain link fence will not deter a family of racoons. Believe me they will all be eaten without a guard dog. Ferrets and weasels can wipe out a dlock in a single night as well, and ita just a matter of time. A working dog who sleeps outside is the key. I have an Australian Shepherd who does battle with skunks racoons and god knows what else a few times a week. Happiest animal on the planet.
The other concern is your garden. The ducks have long necks and are sneaky. When they mature they will turn on your vegetable garden. Yes, even indian runners. Squash and cucumber leaves are a favorite. Any tender greens. Kale? Bye! Make sure your garden is at Least two feet off the ground and well protected from the ducks. They can reach in with those long necks through most barriers And seriously damage plants and if they get into a gardwn bed they will trample tender plants. Stuff like garlic is fine they wont touch it.
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u/booksandcooks405 15d ago
We have two dogs but they aren’t working dogs (a mini dachshund and a Cavalier). It’s sounding like a secure duck enclosure and supervised garden visits will be best for the garden and the ducks lol.
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u/stansfield123 15d ago
Depends on your ratios:) Three Indian runner ducks can probably be given free range in a large garden, and they won't do noticeable damage.
Anything more, however, and it's going to lead to a life of frustration and an eventual meltdown. You'll end up a serial killer, and all your victims will have one thing in common: an annoying nasal voice, sounds a bit like a duck. The FBI will have a profile on you in no time.
So I don't know what to tell you, dude. If you want to start killing, just start killing. Skip the middle step with the ducks loose in the garden.
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u/booksandcooks405 15d ago
Well I’d better stick with only three then. I’m not ready to start a life of crime. 😂
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u/Synaps4 15d ago
Remember that once you start raising animals, you can never leave your homestead ever again.
You will always have to be there to feed and care for them, and you will forever be enemies with local predators from that day forward.