Breeds of domestic ducks have been derived from wild Eurasian Mallard ducks over many generations. Muscovy Ducks were originally native to South America . Duck are becoming more popular pets. And Bird Vet Melbourne sees duck patients often.

Housing and husbandry

• Ducks should have access to water at least deep enough to submerge their heads while eating or drinking.
• Ponds should be kept clean. Provide a roosting area (an old tyre works fine) and grass or other soft surface to protect feet.
• Place food and water dishes so that ducks do not pass droppings into them.
• Avoid access to lead or zinc such as coins, toys, nails, solder or loose wire.
• Protect from predators, especially foxes.

Diet for Ducks (duck vet)

• Ducks drink five times the amount of food they eat and use water to wash their food, it must be available at all times
• Feed a combination of formulated chicken or duck pellets and mixed grains (barley, wheat, rice). Also give dark leafy green and yellow vegetables (spinach, silver beet, carrots, beans, peas, broccoli, seeding grasses, etc.) and a protein source (eg meat, legumes, fish or egg) daily.
• Fruit may be offered, as can multi-grain bread, pasta or human table scraps.
• Avoid chocolate, coffee, alcohol or avocado as these may be toxic.
• Commercial duck and chicken pellets are used for birds being fed to produce meat, eggs and liver pate and can be too high in nutrients for pet ducks if fed as their sole food source long term.

Common conditions seen at the Duck Vet

• Trauma from dogs, foxes and other predators;
• Heavy metal toxicity from ingesting metallic objects;
• Pododermatitis (‘bumblefoot’);
• Worm parasites, flagellates and bacterial infections;
• Female reproductive problems such as egg yolk related peritonitis; egg dystocia;
• Botulism, paralysis caused by a bacterial toxin in stagnant pools & decaying organic matter;
• Psittacosis (now called chlamydophilosis), a disease humans can catch from birds and other duck bacterial infections;
• Phallus injuries in males if several drakes are trying to mate with one female, especially with Muscovy drakes;

Health Care

We, as duck vets, recommend a veterinary health check (with testing as appropriate), when you acquire your new pet duck and annually thereafter for at least one member of the flock.

Birds often hide signs of illness and may only appear unwell when they are very sick. It is important to seek advice early if your bird looks unwell.

Fun Fact: It is estimated that up to 25% of black swan pairs are homosexual, compromising of mostly male birds. These pairs still raise chicks, either stealing a nest from another pair of birds or by temporarily bringing a female into their pairing and then scaring her away once they have obtained an egg. Black Swans join the list of over 100 bird species that display homosexuality!