Dozens of homes in and around Chelmsford now have new additions to the family.
Hundreds responded to a call from farmer Ian Chisholm, who needed to relieve himself of the birds because of cashflow problems.So what to do now you have them? See below for all you need to know
1. Ducks love water and use about one litre of drinking water per duck per day. They need water to keep their eyes, bills, feet and feathers in good condition. A kids pool or a tub about 20cm deep is perfect for looking after ducks. 2. A duck house should be raised from the ground with a ramp for access, and have a suitably sized doorway for the ducks to get in and out. The house should have a secure door at night while providing adequate ventilation, to keep your ducks safe from foxes and other predators. 3. Ducks like to eat slugs and insects, so can be good at keeping garden pests under control. A balanced diet for ducks consists of wheat and maize, as well as soy bean oil and meal. 4. Ducks are sociable creatures, and you should not keep one duck alone. Too many males with not enough females will fight with each other, sometimes to the death. It is therefore recommended that there is an equal balance between males and females in your duck house, creating a 'flock of ducks'. 5. If a duck's enclosure gets too messy, or the ground that the duck walks on is abrasive to the padding on the feet, the duck can develop a condition known as bumblefoot that can potentially cause death. Keeping the enclosure clean is therefore essential to the well-being of your ducks. 6. The average lifespan of a domestic duck is 10 years or less. The larger breeds of duck have the shortest life spans. They rarely live beyond five to seven years. 7. This may not apply to you, ducklings become feathered at about six weeks old, and they begin to quack around four months old. Females lay eggs at eight months old, where around this time ducks become sexually active and have developed to their adult size.Information sourced from the RSPCA, Pets4Home
1. Ducks love water and use about one litre of drinking water per duck per day. They need water to keep their eyes, bills, feet and feathers in good condition. A kids pool or a tub about 20cm deep is perfect for looking after ducks. 2. A duck house should be raised from the ground with a ramp for access, and have a suitably sized doorway for the ducks to get in and out. The house should have a secure door at night while providing adequate ventilation, to keep your ducks safe from foxes and other predators. 3. Ducks like to eat slugs and insects, so can be good at keeping garden pests under control. A balanced diet for ducks consists of wheat and maize, as well as soy bean oil and meal. 4. Ducks are sociable creatures, and you should not keep one duck alone. Too many males with not enough females will fight with each other, sometimes to the death. It is therefore recommended that there is an equal balance between males and females in your duck house, creating a 'flock of ducks'. 5. If a duck's enclosure gets too messy, or the ground that the duck walks on is abrasive to the padding on the feet, the duck can develop a condition known as bumblefoot that can potentially cause death. Keeping the enclosure clean is therefore essential to the well-being of your ducks. 6. The average lifespan of a domestic duck is 10 years or less. The larger breeds of duck have the shortest life spans. They rarely live beyond five to seven years. 7. This may not apply to you, ducklings become feathered at about six weeks old, and they begin to quack around four months old. Females lay eggs at eight months old, where around this time ducks become sexually active and have developed to their adult size.Information sourced from the RSPCA, Pets4Home
