I bought 2 Pekin ducks at a flea market in May. We live in the country but I had no experience with ducks so I got a couple of books at the library and bought the book "Raising the Home Duck Flock". I still have questions and am wondering about winter since we live in Missouri. We have a 10' X 6' kennel with the top covered with chicken wire to keep out the night time critters. They have a large dog house to go into. Will straw in the dog house be good enough for winter? I wondered about what I'm feeding them also. They eat Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance. It has 14% protein. They love cracked corn, fruit & green leaf lettuce. They get some of all of this daily. Is this to much? I don't want to love them to death!!

Anonymous,

Sounds to me like you're doing just fine. Yes, straw should be enough in the dog house, though if you're concerned, there are things you can do. I also live in Missouri, and I tend to put soda bottles or milk jugs full of HOT water in with my ducks and chickens 'just in case'. They can snuggle right up if they get cold. I tend to shy away from using lightbulbs because of the risk of fire. Anyway, the only thing I would suggest is that you make it so that you can close the doghouse at night, or in really cold weather so that they stay in and to hold in the heat better.

Good Luck!

Jane

P.S. What part of Missouri do you live in?

Jane,
We live in the St. Charles County area. What part of MO do you live in? Thanks for responding. Our 2 ducks have become a lot of fun for my husband & me. He & my boys say that I have spoiled them. When they are let out of their pen in the mornings they come to our deck & put up a loud fuss until they get their fruit, then they will go lay down somewhere. So far they stay right around the house, I guess they have everything they need without the need to wander. They didn't even get in our garden. One of them will let me hold her when I feed her lettuce or fruit. I guess I have 2 hens since there is no curl to the tail feathers. When do they start laying eggs? I'm thinking next spring from what I've read. How many & what kind of ducks do you have?

Ava