Raising Ducks for Beginners and Beyond: The Guide to Breeds, Ponds, Nutrition, and All Things Duck by Kristine Ellis

Raise healthy, happy ducks, and enjoy a steady supply of rich, creamy, and delicious fresh eggs with this approachable guide.

Raising ducks is not difficult, but it does require time, effort, and knowledge. Duck-fluencer Kristine Ellis (@dunkin.ducks) has the information, advice, and encouragement you need for duck-keeping success. Through her social media channels, Kristine shares many different aspects of her experience with raising ducks. She shows the good, the bad, and everything in between. In Raising Ducks for Beginners and Beyond, Kristine takes the same honest approach and covers it all:

• When and how to start: When is the best time to start raising your ducks? What are the pros and cons? Are there any specific requirements in your state regarding keeping ducks? How should you set up when bringing your ducks home? And everything you should know before welcoming your ducks.
• How to choose your ducks: Different types of ducks, male-to-female ratio, size of the ducks, and more. There are many considerations when it comes to picking which ducks you want to raise.
• Keeping your ducks healthy (and happy!): What is the right bedding to keep your ducks comfortable? What about coop and/or pen size? What are common illnesses among ducks? How do I take care of a sick duck? And more on how to keep your ducks in good shape and content.
• Duck eggs: What's the difference between a duck egg and a chicken egg? Is one better than the other? What can you use duck eggs for? Learn all you need to know about the nutritional value of duck eggs and how you can use them.
• ...and what about chickens? Kristine covers the key differences between raising ducks and chickens.
• Ducklings to ducks: Learn how to raise ducklings, let your ducks hatch their own eggs, transition your ducklings to the outdoors, and more.
• Nutrition and feeding: Make sure they're receiving the right nutrient ratios and that they're surrounded by duck-safe plants, flowers, and more.
• Pools and ponds: One of the key differences from chicken-keeping, ponds are absolutely vital for ducks. This chapter helps you make sure your ducks' pools and/or ponds are the correct size and that they are kept nice and clean.
• Ducks through the seasons: Learn how to treat your ducks according to season. What seasons affect ducks, and why?
• Predators: One of the most important parts of keeping ducks is keeping them safe. Know what their predators are and how to keep them at bay.

Through tutorials, instructions, and tips, this essential guide will have you feeling confident through every step of the process of raising and keeping ducks.

"This comprehensive guide is as entertaining as it is enlightening--it's a celebration of ducks and the joy they bring. If you're diving into the world of ducks, it's your go-to manual."
-- Morgan Gold, creator of Gold Shaw Farm and author of Toby Dog of Gold Shaw Farm

"It was such a joy to read Krissy's book. The information she provides is very thorough, which is perfect for someone like me who has never raised ducks...hmm, now I might have to add ducks to my collection of animals!"
-- Nikki Husted, creator of Purely Chickens and author of Chicken Keeping Pure and Simple

"As someone who has owned ducks for years, Krissy's insights still taught me lots of new stuff! If you are even thinking about getting started with some of these feathered friends, read this book first."
-- Savannah Etheridge, creator of The Hot Mess Homestead and author of Love Between Shadows

Table of Contents:

INTRO-DUCK-TION
CHAPTER 1 So, You Want to Keep Ducks!
When to Start
The Rules and Regulations of Duck Keeping
Are Chickens or Ducks Better for You?
Be Prepared
CHAPTER 2 Choosing Your Ducks
The Wide World of Ducks
Duck Size: It Matters
Male-to-Female Ratio
CHAPTER 3 From Ducklings to Ducks
Where to Buy Eggs, Ducklings, mor Adult Ducks
Incubating Duck Eggs
Raising Ducklings (Housing, Heaters, Food, and Water)
Broody Ducks (Letting Your Ducks Hatch Their Own Eggs)
Transitioning Your Ducklings Outside
Bonding with Your Ducklings
CHAPTER 4 Nutrition, Feeding, and Treats
Duck Feed Through Each Life Stage
How to Feed Your Ducks
Safe Foods and Unsafe Foods
CHAPTER 5 Keeping Your Ducks Happy and Healthy
Duck Veterinarians
The Duck First Aid Kit
Natural Remedies
Losing a Duck
Common Illnesses and Ailments
Managing Health While Integrating New Ducks into Your Flock
CHAPTER 6 Pens, Pools, and Predator Proofing
Housing Requirements: The Coop
Housing Requirements: The Pen
Bedding Materials
Free Ranging
Predators
Duck Pools and Duck Ponds
CHAPTER 7 Ducks Through the Seasons
Mating Season
Molting Season(s)
Caring for Ducks in the Winter
Keeping Cool in Summer
A FEW MORE DUCKS
RESOURCES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INDEX

Kristine Ellis received her first duck as a birthday gift when she turned five years old. In her freshman year of high school, she joined a local 4-H poultry club where her love of ducks flourished. In 2017, she purchased her first miniature duck from a member of the club. That duck, Munchkin, became the star of Dunkin Ducks the next year! The Dunkin Ducks Instagram page was initially created to connect with others who raise ducks and share duck pictures for fun. To this day, education and community remain important parts of all Dunkin Ducks pages, where millions of followers subscribe to follow along. Dunkin Ducks has been featured in dozens of media outlets including the New York Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Boston Globe. Krissy also remains involved in 4-H, where she now teaches kids about raising poultry.

Cool Springs Press

Pub Date: May 28, 2024

0.41" H x 10.0" L x 8.07" W

160 pages

Paperback