Introduction to Raising Ducks Learn about the benefits of ducks, various breeds, raising ducklings, and even breeding ducks in the Introduction to Raising Ducks course.
  • 12 videos
Speaker Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions

Videos

Introduction to Raising Ducks
1. Welcome to Raising Ducks
Raising ducks can be a rewarding experience! They're friendly, relatively low-maintenance birds that provide entertainment with their silly antics. Overall, these feathered friends can be a delightful addition to your backyard or homestead.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
2. Benefits of Raising Ducks
Raise ducks and you'll find they offer a variety of benefits. You can enjoy delicious, nutritious duck eggs for breakfast, keep them as pets, raise them for meat, or decide to show them. Overall, ducks can be a low-maintenance addition to your backyard that provides fresh food, pest control, and entertainment.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
3. Duck Anatomy and Behavior
Understanding duck anatomy and behavior is key to happy and healthy ducks. Join Kenny Coogan as he describes what you should know about your ducks when they're interacting with you or one another.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
4. Bantam Duck Breeds
Different duck breeds offer unique qualities for specific purposes. The most important aspect of choosing a duck breed depends on what you value most. Watch as Kenny Coogan describes Australian spotted, call, and mallard types of bantam duck breeds.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
5. Light Duck Breeds
Join Kenny Coogan as he describes different types of light duck breeds — runners, campbells, harlequins, magpies and Dutch hookbills — that should be considered if you are raising ducks for eggs, herding competition, exhibition, or pest management.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
6. Medium Duck Breeds
Learn whether medium duck breeds, such as ancona, cayuga, crested, buff or orpington, and Swedish, are right for you. These breeds are great as pets, for eggs, or in some cases small meat ducks.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
7. Heavy Duck Breeds
Explore what heavy duck breeds such as appleyard, aylesbury, muscovy, pekin, rouen, and saxony, have to offer. Some are all-purpose birds, whereas others are ideal for large eggs or flavorful meat.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
8. Raising Ducklings: Surrogacy and Incubating
Watching ducklings waddle clumsily after their mother, or in some cases a hen, brings a smile to any face. There's a special joy in nurturing these little balls of fluff as they grow into comical, charming feathered friends.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
9. Raising Ducklings: Brooding and Feeding
Watching ducklings transform from fuzzy chicks to graceful swimmers brings a smile to anyone's face. There's a special joy in witnessing their newfound independence as they explore the world beyond their brooder.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
10. Habitats for Adult Ducks
Make a duck habitat full of creativity and design a paradise with options like cozy bedding, water features, and a cozy nesting area. The reward is immense, watching happy ducks enjoying their new home in your backyard.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
11. Nutrition and Health for Adult Ducks
Provide your ducks with a balanced diet to ensure healthy birds. Learn the importance of supporting all their bodily functions and how to prevent diseases.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions
Introduction to Raising Ducks
12. Breeding and Showing Ducks
Breeding and showing ducks helps preserve rare breeds and promotes healthy competition among breeders to maintain the ideal characteristics of each duck variety. This can lead to stronger, more beautiful ducks.
Kenny Coogan
Kenny Coogan Co-Host of the Mother Earth News & Friends Podcast • Critter Companions