Ducks, or more accurately waterfowl, are the unsung heroes of the farm ecosystem. Not only do they provide pest control and fertilizer as they peck around in their environment, but they also make great snacks for predators such as raccoons, foxes and large birds of prey like owls. So by introducing ducks to your farm you’ll be adding biodiversity to your land while also making it a safer place to live and work! Here are 10 reasons you need ducks on your farm!
1. Ducks Can Provide Eggs
Ducks are a great way to provide eggs for your family, and they’re a lot of fun to watch as they waddle around looking for food. They produce delicious eggs that can be scrambled with vegetables or used in baking. Ducks have a tendency to lay more eggs than chickens, so if you want to start raising chickens but don’t want the hassle of collecting them every day, consider adding ducks to your farm instead.
2. Ducks Can Eat Scraps
Ducks are a great option for farms who have large quantities of scraps from processing. Ducks will eat anything from watermelon rinds to broccoli stems, and they’ll even eat their own droppings, which means that there is little waste. Plus, they produce eggs as well!
3. Ducks Are Fun To Watch
Ducks are great because they produce a lot of eggs, they love hanging out in the water, and they are easy to take care of. In addition to that, if something should happen and the duck becomes injured or sick, it can easily heal itself with time.
4. Duck Meat Is Tasty
Duck meat tastes great. It’s leaner than chicken, yet still juicy and flavorful. In fact, duck is the most popular meat in many parts of Asia. And because it’s rich in protein and low in fat, it can be a healthier alternative to beef or pork too.
There are also other benefits to raising ducks for meat production: Ducks are great for composting and produce more eggs than chickens do.
5. Ducks Deter Predators
Ducks are especially good at deterring predators like coyotes, hawks, and foxes because they make a lot of noise. Ducks also have the ability to fly away when they feel threatened, which is an advantage over other animals like sheep and chickens who cannot run as fast. Ducks will make more noise if they’re scared so they can warn the other animals on the farm.
6. Ducks Are Pretty Cool Looking
Ducks are beautiful and come in a lot of shapes and sizes. They can be found in a variety of colors and have different feather patterns. Ducks are very social animals who enjoy being with their own kind, so they would make perfect companions for other animals living on the same farm. They also love water, which is why they would make great additions to a family farm.
7. Ducks Love Water
Ducks love water and are often found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. In addition to being a good swimmer, they are often seen swimming beneath the surface or along the edge of a body of water. Ducks also enjoy wading in shallow water. The webbed toes on their feet help them to swim more easily. Ducks may also be found sitting in or near shallow water with their feathers puffed up so that they can stay warm and dry.
8. Ducks Love Being Petted
Ducks are very friendly and love being petted. They will waddle right up to people that they know and put their head in the hand. Their downy feathers make a soft, pleasant feeling. It is said that having a duck as a pet can reduce anxiety and make you feel more relaxed. Plus, they’re just adorable!
9. Ducks Help Clean Up The Messes Others Leave Behind
Ducks are great for the environment. They help keep pests under control, they provide a natural form of pest control, and they make a beautiful addition to any property. Ducks also help clean up the messes that other animals leave behind and even keep farms free from weeds by eating them up. And when it comes time to harvest crops like strawberries, lettuce or wheat, duck droppings create a nutrient-rich fertilizer that is better than synthetic fertilizers for your soil.
10. Other Ducky Facts
- Ducks love to eat slugs and snails that harm plants.
- Ducks help fertilize by eating the green manure they produce, turning it into fertilizer.
- Ducks are great at weeding because they love to eat weeds, their favorite food.
- Ducks help control pests by eating insects, mice and other animals that might harm your crops.
- The more variety of animal species you have on a farm the less likely pests will survive because they don’t know what to attack first.