Ducks as Pets

My mother-in-law aquired a duck from a neighbor/friend/someone that wanted it to go to a good home, as it’s mom wasn’t the best mom around. So she took it and basically adopted it as a pet. Apparently this little critter, “Duckly”, is not scared of people or hands and is quite content to snuggle and sleep on peoples feet. About a week after they got him they decided that a duck in the house wasn’t the most practical thing in the world (at least until they learn to litter train it) and started constructing a pen out in the back for him. To make sure he didn’t get lonely, getting some friends for him was in order, so last week mom-in-law went out and got three new ducklings, who apparently lost their fear of hands and being picked up quickly after taking their cues from Duckly.


Anyway, the point of all this is I had Dad’s digital camera last weekend and stopped by there and took some pictures. You can admire them here. Oh, they have a nice cat as well named Whisper, you can admire him in there as well.

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Category: Pets

60 Comments on “Ducks as Pets”

  3. just bought a duckling do you think he will settle down eventually without other ducks any info on caring for him properly

  4. just bought a duckling do you think he will settle down eventually without other ducks any info on caring for him properly

  5. just bought a duckling do you think he will settle down eventually without other ducks any info on caring for him properly

  6. Stretch is a duck that lives with me. she camps, she stays in the yard when I’m not home, she’s a social butterfly and is now visiting assisted living and nursing homes in the area.She enjoys riding in the truck and remembers people, places, and things like you would not beleive unless you spent time around her. She leaves good memories in peoples minds nomatter where we go. At night she does sleep on my feet and I can let her do that because of the feeding scedule that she chose keeps her from making to much of a mess.
    I’d sure like to know more about the litter box training. The best solution we have found for away from home visits are her diapers. She had alot of oppinons when designing those! “STRETCH” has a very enlightening gift for leaving good energy everywhere she goes!

  7. Stretch is a duck that lives with me. she camps, she stays in the yard when I’m not home, she’s a social butterfly and is now visiting assisted living and nursing homes in the area.She enjoys riding in the truck and remembers people, places, and things like you would not beleive unless you spent time around her. She leaves good memories in peoples minds nomatter where we go. At night she does sleep on my feet and I can let her do that because of the feeding scedule that she chose keeps her from making to much of a mess.
    I’d sure like to know more about the litter box training. The best solution we have found for away from home visits are her diapers. She had alot of oppinons when designing those! “STRETCH” has a very enlightening gift for leaving good energy everywhere she goes!

  8. Stretch is a duck that lives with me. she camps, she stays in the yard when I’m not home, she’s a social butterfly and is now visiting assisted living and nursing homes in the area.She enjoys riding in the truck and remembers people, places, and things like you would not beleive unless you spent time around her. She leaves good memories in peoples minds nomatter where we go. At night she does sleep on my feet and I can let her do that because of the feeding scedule that she chose keeps her from making to much of a mess.
    I’d sure like to know more about the litter box training. The best solution we have found for away from home visits are her diapers. She had alot of oppinons when designing those! “STRETCH” has a very enlightening gift for leaving good energy everywhere she goes!

  9. Stretch is a duck that lives with me. she camps, she stays in the yard when I’m not home, she’s a social butterfly and is now visiting assisted living and nursing homes in the area.She enjoys riding in the truck and remembers people, places, and things like you would not beleive unless you spent time around her. She leaves good memories in peoples minds nomatter where we go. At night she does sleep on my feet and I can let her do that because of the feeding scedule that she chose keeps her from making to much of a mess.
    I’d sure like to know more about the litter box training. The best solution we have found for away from home visits are her diapers. She had alot of oppinons when designing those! “STRETCH” has a very enlightening gift for leaving good energy everywhere she goes!

  10. Stretch is a duck that lives with me. she camps, she stays in the yard when I’m not home, she’s a social butterfly and is now visiting assisted living and nursing homes in the area.She enjoys riding in the truck and remembers people, places, and things like you would not beleive unless you spent time around her. She leaves good memories in peoples minds nomatter where we go. At night she does sleep on my feet and I can let her do that because of the feeding scedule that she chose keeps her from making to much of a mess.
    I’d sure like to know more about the litter box training. The best solution we have found for away from home visits are her diapers. She had alot of oppinons when designing those! “STRETCH” has a very enlightening gift for leaving good energy everywhere she goes!

  11. Was wondering if anyone could show me a way to get a duck. I hear all these things on how great they are as pets and want one myself. Problem is I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and there aren’t many here. Could anyone help me find a way to obtain one?

  12. Was wondering if anyone could show me a way to get a duck. I hear all these things on how great they are as pets and want one myself. Problem is I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and there aren’t many here. Could anyone help me find a way to obtain one?

  13. We have had a pet duck, Duck, for three years now, it is a wonderful pet who enhances our lives so much. We had no idea ducks were so affectionate and engaging. Our duck also loves our golden retriever, they play together in the kiddie pool and chase the ball together. Our duck will sit outside the door and quack for us to come out and play, when it sees the car drive up, it greets us every time. It also loves clean water in it’s pool and knows that if it is swimming quietly and someone walks up to his pool, how to dive and soak people. This duck loves to be held, and roots in your neck and hair. It will not poo as long as you are holding it, after reading some of your postings, we are now considering getting it a friend in the spring. It lives in a pen, the dog and the duck have to be supervised when they play, the dog uses it’s mouth too much which is dangerous for the duck, so a friend of it’s own species may be just the answer.

  14. We have had a pet duck, Duck, for three years now, it is a wonderful pet who enhances our lives so much. We had no idea ducks were so affectionate and engaging. Our duck also loves our golden retriever, they play together in the kiddie pool and chase the ball together. Our duck will sit outside the door and quack for us to come out and play, when it sees the car drive up, it greets us every time. It also loves clean water in it’s pool and knows that if it is swimming quietly and someone walks up to his pool, how to dive and soak people. This duck loves to be held, and roots in your neck and hair. It will not poo as long as you are holding it, after reading some of your postings, we are now considering getting it a friend in the spring. It lives in a pen, the dog and the duck have to be supervised when they play, the dog uses it’s mouth too much which is dangerous for the duck, so a friend of it’s own species may be just the answer.

  15. We have a pair of mallards (male and female) that we’ve had since they were 3 days old. They live in the backyard and are kenneled at night in our garage now that it’s cold and were kenneled in the yard to protect them from predators when it was warm. A dog got our male yesterday and he suffered a punctured lung and didn’t make it. Our female is heartbroken as that they were never more than a foot apart and were mates. What to do with/for her? We’re giving her more inside time…we would like to hear more about whoever knows about he duckie diaper. We too LOVE this duck and feels she’s social, smart and all the things other people have mentioned. We live in a cold climate and can’t get another duckling until spring. What about a bunny? Anyone have any experience with ducks and bunnies together? our neighbors cat loves and gets along with the ducks but a cat can’t live outside. Anyone with any ideas for our heartsick female mallard, Lilly?

  16. We have a pair of mallards (male and female) that we’ve had since they were 3 days old. They live in the backyard and are kenneled at night in our garage now that it’s cold and were kenneled in the yard to protect them from predators when it was warm. A dog got our male yesterday and he suffered a punctured lung and didn’t make it. Our female is heartbroken as that they were never more than a foot apart and were mates. What to do with/for her? We’re giving her more inside time…we would like to hear more about whoever knows about he duckie diaper. We too LOVE this duck and feels she’s social, smart and all the things other people have mentioned. We live in a cold climate and can’t get another duckling until spring. What about a bunny? Anyone have any experience with ducks and bunnies together? our neighbors cat loves and gets along with the ducks but a cat can’t live outside. Anyone with any ideas for our heartsick female mallard, Lilly?

  17. I found a nice farm hardware store and that is where i am going to purchase my duck.I have a two year old yorkshire terrier(James bond) that is under 5pounds. He loves small animals, expecialy smaller than him, but do you think getting a duckling would like James? I also would love to know how to train a duck to be housebroken. I also live on a lake with other mallards, will the new duckling be able to fit in? please e-mail me at Savyjames007@yahoo.com

  18. I found a nice farm hardware store and that is where i am going to purchase my duck.I have a two year old yorkshire terrier(James bond) that is under 5pounds. He loves small animals, expecialy smaller than him, but do you think getting a duckling would like James? I also would love to know how to train a duck to be housebroken. I also live on a lake with other mallards, will the new duckling be able to fit in? please e-mail me at Savyjames007@yahoo.com

  19. Would appreciate any info on house traing/or duckie diapers and any other helpful tips as I am planning to get 2 ducklings soon. Good books for feeding caring for etc. would be great too. Thanks for the help!

  20. I just bought a Mallard duckling, and at the moment he’s staying in a rabbit hutch with some rabbits. It’s winter, so he’s using them to keep warm, is that bad for him? Is the rabbit hutch ok for him if I put straw down for him? Does he need interaction with other ducks? Is there a way to house train a duck or some sort of diaper contraption?

  21. Hi, I’m 16 and my mom said I could get a pet duck this summer because she is getting chickens. She told me to research ducks and geese, I have no idea what I’m looking for, want, or whats “goood” please e-mail me back: LilPinkSpud454@yahoo.com w/ any information and good websites! thanks Nicole

  22. We just bought 4 little ducklings and i would like to know about litter box training. please contact me with any advice you can give. Thanks

  23. I am getting a duckling in a few weeks and can not find any informations on ducks. the only way i can keep is to litter box train it. if anyone can help please email me! thanks

  24. Hey everyone. I am getting a new duckling in a few days and would like some advice on anything and everything. The duck will be staying at my boyfriends house, but he has three rotts, and one kitten. The rotts are good with the kitten. Is there any places I should check for info or anything? Thanks! email me at gymnast2367sm@aol.com

  25. The Las Vegas Tempitures get really torturous. Can ducks handle it? What does one do when it get really HOT, or really COLD? Can ducks servive with out any special attention? I mean over and above basic shelter like a dog house.Thanks Mitch

  26. The Las Vegas Tempitures get really torturous. Can ducks handle it? What does one do when it get really HOT, or really COLD? Can ducks servive with out any special attention? I mean over and above basic shelter like a dog house.Thanks Mitch

  27. Hey my mom told me that ducks are not able to live in a neighborhood is it okay if you dont have a farm.

  28. Anyone know how to house train a duck to poop in one spot all the time??? I know its been done before but how??
    thanks
    Jeremy.

  29. Hey Jeremy it is nonpossible to house train because they do not have a bladder to hold it but you can see where they usually go and take them out when they are most likely to go!

  30. i’ve decided that i want to get a duck but before i commit this poor animal to apartment/condo living, i wanted to know how to litter train a duck. my roommate is not very fond of animals and my duck would need to have this talent. please email me with any information. cindyshawver@hotmail.com

  35. Ive had Quackers since he was about 2 inches high. He is 3 years old now and the sweetest and smartest duck ever! He lives in the house with us and has toys and knows tricks and commands. He is just like a little dog and follows us everywhere. He is a snowy call duck which is a miniture duck. I dont know what i would do without him. He makes me so happy.

  37. Hi you duck lovers. I just read through this entire forum and found my exact question like a million times, but no answers. Maybe someone who knows how to litter train a duck could post something on here. I know that “Miles” said that you can’t but that was the only reply at all. Is this true???
    Anyone with any info? Email me at Keywerds01@aol.com Thanks, waiting anxiously;)

  38. I want to get a pet duck ! is there such a thing as a dummies guide to duck rearing ? How did Joey from friends dod it ?

  39. We’ve just acquired a duckling as a pet. Apparently we have to keep it indoors for another three to four weeks until it is old enough to live outside. I saw a TV article about a lady who’s had a duck as a pet for about 15 years and I recall her saying you could house train a duck. If anybody out there has some clues, I would appreciate it. Ta Cameron

  40. i HAVE TWO BABY DUCKS AND ONE GOOSE AND WONDER IF ANY ONE KNOWS A EASY WAY TO GET THEM IN THIER HOUSE AT NIGHT AS WE HAVE PREDATORS

  41. Does anybody know how to train a duck to follow you? If you do please email me back, I need to know quick!! Hope to hear from someone.

  42. We have just got a duck. I think she is 10 weeks old, when we got her we were given a bag of duck food but no instructions on how much to give her. We don’t know anything about rearing ducks as pets can someone help us.

  43. This post is for Erica, who asked how to get a duck to follow you. Is it a duckling? If so, then time and care should do the trick. Have them near you for as many hours a day as possible. Feed them out of your hand, and make sure they see you filling their dishes. Also, excercise with them! Walk around and say soothing, singsong things (like “Here, “). Maybe snap your fingers. If they still won’t follow you (which is unlikely), make sure that you take them out walking before you refill their food bowl, and then drop food behind you as you walk. After a while, this should train them.
    As for grown ducks, I guess you could try the same things, but it’s a lot more difficult. Hope this helps!

  44. My family and I are interested in getting a duck. We found one last year, raised it for a few months and fell in love. Apparently it was illegal to keep it, so we had to give up Lucky. Where can we buy a duckling so it’s legal and should we get one or two. I’ve been reading different opinions on this. If we buy two, will they bond with us?
    Thanks, Janet

  45. i just bought two baby mallards yestrerday…they are the cutest pets ever. i was wondering if anyone knows how to train them.

  47. Iyahh x
    i have 3 mallard ducklings and they are so cute i love them there called Dixie , Roxy and Cookie. I am feeding them “duck food” letuce, cracked corn, meal worms and crushed cherios !
    their in a brooder at the moment and my dad is building a pen for them ! we live by a river and i was wondering because they follow me that i could walk in the river and they would stay near me.It is only shallow about 2inches in the shallow end. Is that a good idea ? I have heard about puting a diper on them so they dont make a mess around the house is this a good idea ?Am i missing anything? if so email me on sweet_cute_becky@hotmail.com
    many thanks sorry its realy long :S
    becky x

  49. i know how cutie a little duck is and all, i read on a site it was ileagall! i am not sure why but they say the buying,having or selling a duck is agenst the law! can you help me know whats true?

  51. You can get ducks from farms they sometimes sell farm animals that they dont need like ducks

  52. Hey my husband and i are buying a house, and i wanted to get duck as a pet. But i don’t know where to start, can you give me some information as far as how to litter train, and what foods does it eat, and if there is any other special care that i need to do. i’m wanting it has a inside pet, is that safe. I’ve heard that ducks carry alot of different diseases. my e-mail is free_spirit_101_sarah@yahoo.com.

  53. Correct use of the training leash is important, not only during training sessions, but at all times. Always having a loop over your thumb and your hand closed into a fist, prevents even the strongest dog from unexpectedly jerking the leash through your fingers and breaking free. Whether it’s the hand-loop or a loop formed by marrying the leash over your thumb, the result is the same. Pulling on the leash merely causes your grip to tighten

  56. I have also just bought a house and are looking to get a pet duck if anyone did find any info on the duck diaper or litter training if you did would you please e-mail me @ bennett_t53@hotmail.com
    Thanks Trevor

  57. i have had two ducks in the past. a muscovy and a cayuga cross. it is not illegal to own a duck. there is no best kind of duck to own. muscovys are usually mean but mine was sweet and he impressed judges at the state fair so much. i won first place out of four hundred ducks. ducks are very messy and have a tendency to poop everywhere. they cant help it. usually a clean and safe warm garage is the best thing. you can just wash out the garage with a hose. if you hatch the duck yourself he will always follow

  58. I had a pet called Pipke, she was a white duck. I found her in a abandoned nest. Unfortunate she died on September 14 this year. She became 14 years and three months old. During her life we had to go to the vet 295 times. She was the sunshine in our life and the best that could happen to us. I want to dedicate my blog to her. My aim is to tell her life story. What we experienced is unique and I want to share it with you. I published already many film pictures and pictures of her, I also told already a part of her story. Unfortunate I had to start with the end of her life, because I was still writing the beginning. I hope you will read her story, it will surprise you what we have experienced.

  59. You cant litter train a duck. They may be smart enough to, but they don’t have the ability. They don’t have a sphincter so they cannot control it. Sorry guys

  60. i just bought a baby mallard duck and i was wondering how to house break him if that is possible please contact me from myspace or my cell (209)-202-8200 THANK YOU MUCHO