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

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.