Duck, Duck, Goose

Aug 03, 2021


Are you interested in raising ducks or geese? These birds are a fun and entertaining addition to any farm, and there are a number of good reasons to raise them.
 
Waterfowl can be a real benefit to your garden; they provide high nitrogen fertilizer and help control pests such as grasshoppers, snails, slugs, and Japanese beetle larvae. Additionally, some ducks, such as Campbells and Runners, are excellent layers and can produce over 275 eggs per year.
 
If you are new to raising waterfowl, here are three tips to get you started:
 
  1. Choose a breed to suit your needs
There are numerous breeds of ducks and geese that can be added to your flock, many of which serve different purposes. Refine your search by determining whether you are looking for a pet, breeding stock, or egg layers. As a pet, popular duck breeds include Rouen, Crested, and Mallards, while Pekins are known for making both wonderful pets and egg layers. If you would like to add some geese to the mix, look for Emden, Toulouse, Buff, or Pilgrim which are great as both pets and egg layers.
 
  1. Provide a comfortable environment
You’ll want to make sure your ducks and/or geese have a great home if you want them to stick around. They will need a pond or pool for swimming, a coop and fenced-in space to protect against predators, and a grassy area to hunt for insects. Ducks and geese are also very social creatures, so they will be happiest in pairs or small groups!
 
  1. Find the right waterfowl feed
Choose a nutritionally balanced feed based on your birds’ age and needs. Young ducks and geese require a diet that is high in protein and calories to help them grow strong after hatching, while mature birds may only require a maintenance diet. Also, believe it or not, feeding bread to your waterfowl can actually lead to health concerns like obesity and malnutrition, so it is best to leave this out of their diet.
 
 Ducks and geese are relatively easy to care for and are well worth the investment! For waterfowl feed, pools, and supplies for the coop, stop by your local Co-op!
 
For more content like this, check out the latest issue of the Cooperator.

Read More News

Apr 28, 2025
It can be a chore to find just the right gift for mom on Mother’s Day. It’s her special day and we want to honor her and show how much she means to us. There’s a lot of pressure to find that “perfect” gift. Well, don’t worry. Just head over to your local Co-op for plenty of gift ideas that any mother would be pleased to receive. Consider these suggestions:
 
Apr 21, 2025
Every morning, as the sun rises over the horizon, the sound of turkeys echo through the woods. Unable to resist this calling, hunters will often spend the early hours before work during turkey season lying in wait for an unsuspecting tom to pass by.

Every hunter has his personal tips and tricks, but there are a few basic tactics that can be followed to increase your chances of bringing home a trophy bird.
 
Apr 14, 2025
Before the weather even turns warm, many gardening enthusiasts are already making plans and studying seed choices for their home garden. Although many Tennessee residents have plenty of room for a garden, others may not be so lucky. If you’re hampered by a lack of space for your gardening choices, raised beds might be a solution.