Free range ducks are happy ducks! The poultry area backs up to woods. Woods, where raccoon, fox and an occasional coyote make their homes. Eventually we gradually began letting the ducks and chickens out of their pens for free ranging. Other property modifications were made to add safety for the free range ducks.
I started raising ducks years ago, for eggs and to hopefully hatch some ducklings! We have been fairly successful on both goals. The hens are very reliable layers and although our broody hen failed to set long enough to hatch out the ducklings, we did hatch four in the incubator. Ducks get along well together even though I do notice some inner cliques among the ducks we had first.
Our ducks live in a rather large duck complex with a large building with two attached covered runs, two pools and all you can eat buffet of duck food and bugs. I brought in grass, weeds, vegetables and meal worms regularly to supplement. Three of the four ducklings hatched in the incubator. Being surrounded by woods and woodland creatures, I was still hesitant to let them roam too freely.
I set up a large perimeter using a mesh poultry fence. At first, our dog was concerned that I may have lost my mind. He tried to tell me that the ducks were out roaming around! So, yes, the ducks have had the opportunity to free range the poultry area. The area is large and the ducks respected the mesh fencing. In addition, when I leave the farm, the ducks must return to their duck house and duck runs. What other benefits are there in free ranging ducks?
Bugs and grasses are the ideal food for ducks. Duck pellets are a nutritiously balanced diet, however, ducks allowed to free range, choose the balance of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Free range ducks have low incidence of abnormal wing and bone development such as Angel Wing. Letting the ducks out to roam lets them move around more than they will in the pen. Doing so will decrease duck obesity.
