Wild Duck Care

Wild ducks are a beautiful addition to the aviary. They can be exhibited at a poultry show. You can breed them and hatch your own ducklings. You can simply keep wild ducks for pleasure.

What do I feed my wild duck?

Ducks are omnivores, meaning they eat and forage for both meats and plants. In the wild, they eat fruits, nuts, berries, worms, frogs, slugs, snail, insects, pond algae and vegetation, small fish and eggs, and more! To feed your flock, you can purchase waterfowl or gamebird feed. You can always supplement them with garden greens. Contrary to popular belief, bread and other human processed food is not good for any type of duck or other waterfowl and can cause liver damage, heart damage, and other organ problems.

They may also ingest sand or small rocks to aid in digestion. For your flock, you may offer them grit.

How do I keep a wild duck?

Ducks need water. This can be as simple as a kiddy pool, but they will be much happier in a larger setting. Circulating water is ideal, but not a requirement.

In the winter, an aerator is recommended in your pond to keep it from freezing so the ducks may still drink.

The ducks we sell are not pinioned and are able to fly. We recommend you keep them in a fully enclosed aviary.

Wood ducks and mandarin ducks need a raised nesting box to lay eggs in, most other ducks will make a nest on the ground.

How does the duck get from you to me?

Our ducks are shipped express mail in a USPS approved box.

Are there any permits required to keep this duck?

Individual states may have their own regulations. Please check with your local Fish and Wildlife Department and/or your local University Extension.