The Disadvantages of Ducks (SPOILERS - THERE AREN'T MANY!)

We've had a lot of chickens turn broody this year and we have had three broods of chicks hatch out. My hope that one of our Cayuga / Cherry Valley crosses might be sitting on a clutch of eggs have been undone, for after a few days sitting, she is back on the Flyte so Fancy pond. 

I am a big fan of ducks and like chickens they make wonderful pets and companions in the garden. Like keeping chickens there are advantages and disadvantages to keeping ducks.

ADVANTAGES

1. Ducks have great characters and are very amusing to watch. Especially a flock of Indian Runner Duck gliding around the garden.
2. Most breeds of ducks only require a small amount of water to be happy. NO large ponds required. 
3. Some ducks are prolific layers, laying right through the winter months also. 
4. Due to thicker feathers and their oiled covering, ducks do not suffer red mite.
5. Ducks will clear a garden of slugs and bugs, great for vegetable patches. 
6. Less fussy than a chicken, a duck will lay an egg anywhere. 

DISADVANTAGES

1. Ducks are messy. If contained continually within a specific area they will, in time, turn it to mud. 
2. Ducks require plenty of fresh water for cleaning and staying healthy. Water needs changing regularly to avoid disease. 
3. Some breeds of ducks can be very vocal, i.e Call Ducks
4. They will lay eggs anywhere.

For more information have a look at our Basic Guide to Keeping Ducks Information Page. 

The largest misconception people have about keeping ducks is the belief you need a large pond or lake for them to live on. This is far from true. A lot of breed of ducks will be happy with something the size of a large washing up bowl, in which to paddle. It is vitally important to provide separate water for drinking and for cleaning. Ducks need a water bowl for cleaning themselves, that is wide enough for the duck to sit in and submerge its head. This dunking of the head is vital for ducks for cleaning their feathers and washing their eyes.

The FSF Ducks

If you have any questions about Flyte so Fancy Duck Houses leave a comment below or call us on 01300 345229 to talk to a member of the FSF team. 

Thanks for Reading

James

Poultry Feeders - 3 of the Best(2016)

A few months or so ago we posted a Blog entry about three of our favourite drinkers and highlighted what their individual advantages are for poultry keepers and their flocks. This week's Blog looks at three of our favourite feeders and the way that their clever designs and manufacture materials make them ideally suited for a differing range of poultry keepers' requirements.

Here at Flyte so Fancy HQ we stock a vast range of feeders, of every shape, size and material for chickens, ducks, geese and chicks. The video below from a few years ago, sees Boss Phill talking about some of the feeders that we have in stock and their particular merits.

Blenheim 6kg Feeder

Made from a thick resilient plastic, the Blenheim Feeder holds 6kg of feed and is the perfect feeder for newcomers and old hands alike. Coming on strong legs to lift it up out of the way of mud and soil, the Blenheim feeder also has an inbuilt anti-flick grid to prevent excessive waste. A metal bar fitted internally also gives you the option of hanging this feeder inside a run.

A really brilliant feeder that covers all the bases, it has a final option of an additional outdoor rain hat, that sits snugly over the feeder, low down, to keep the feed dry and prevent spoilage. A versatile feeder, this is often my first recommendation to poultry keepers when they come in looking for a new feeder.

Galvanised Feeders

Galvanised Feeders have proved popular with chicken keepers for decades. Made from strong, galvanised sheets these feeders will last a poultry keeper for years and years. UK made, these feeders come in varying sizes, from 2.5kg for smaller flocks to 7kg for those whose passion for poultry has got a little out of hand.

With adjustable height tubes (on the smaller model) and raincover hats to keep feed dry, the only galvanised feeder weakness would be the lack of attachable legs, to help prevent muck getting into the feed. Easily cured with a couple of bricks as a stand, these feeders are sturdy constructions and will serve a poultry keeper faithfully for many, many years.

BEC Wise Feeders

Truly different to the previously two mentioned feeders, the BEC Wise Chicken Feeder is either a cage or wall mounted feeder, designed for runs and paddocks. Mounted through the mesh or on a bracket, the modular nature of the feeder allows you to increase its capacity by adding 5kg extension cartridges.

The Wise Feeder can also help reduce your feed bill, with its clever design of lips and dividers preventing 40% less feed being lost, while the higher mounting prevents vermin from being attracted to the feeder to begin with. With a nice design and clever features this feeder is great for poultry keepers not looking to take up extra space within their runs with conventional feeders.

Galvanised Treadle Feeders

The Treadle Feeders are getting a special mention at the end of the Blog due to their popularity both here at Flyte so Fancy HQ and with our customers who have purchased them in the past. Comprising metal and plastic components, the feeders are available in three sizes for all sizes of flock.

Top filled, gravity fed feeders, the food itself is sealed away by a lifting flap operated by the hen standing on the treadle. The hens weight causes the treadle to open and the feed to be exposed. Rats and mice, as well as wild birds, are too light and so can not trigger the treadle to lift. A great feeder for people with a vermin problem or just looking to keep their feed in a sealed, weather-proof feeder.

If you have any questions about poultry feeders and which might be best suited for your flock, why not leave a comment below or call us on 01300 345229 to speak to a member of the Flyte so Fancy team.


Thanks for Reading
James