The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: MikeM on October 21, 2012, 08:08:13 am
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could've sworn this had been asked already, but couldn't find the thread so apologies if it has been.
I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to house ducks in our vege patch? There would be plenty of space for a pond and a house and I was hoping they would take care of the shocking slug problem but am concerned incase they do loads of damage.
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from experience they won't just eat the slugs... they will also eat everything else they fancy! We had a couple that got into our veggie patch and they dessimated everything in sight.
The best way to kill slugs is to set up beer traps for them. You could also do nightime vigils with a torch, then any you collect you could then feed to the ducks.
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you, that's what I'm concerned about, thanks.
I've tried beer traps before, but all I caught was myself...
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I tried going out late with a torch-it works brilliantly! Don't often have the time, equally good for snails. Was upset to learn it's not good to give them to hens, can't remember why. I never use slug/snail poisons in case hens get hold of the odd snail and they love them! Maybe someone can refresh my memory. Good luck with veg patch.
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no birds in my veg patch :roflanim: . Whittingstall had tried it in one of his RC episodes and we had a good laugh (sorry, Hugh) as the ducks had eaten loads of lettuce and trampled everything else to death with their big feet - no slugs, though! If you need to clear some ground I bet they are great (at the mo mine are clearing what I had left of a lawn ::) ). I collect slugs and snails in a tub and chuck them to the ducks, they love me for it and come running once they spot me coming from the veg patch . I am careful with the giant snails that seem to appear every now and then (other people nearby have loads of them) as they are so large that they might get them stuck in their throat :&>
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I keep Crested Apricot Ducks, which are miniature, though that is not as small as a bantam duck. Personally I have found these to be ok in the garden, though many other sorts of ducks I have kept have caused too much damage. They certainly eat young lettuce plants, and probably would demolish any young tender seedlings but then so would my slug population.
In general I am happy to let them in to eat slugs in the garden but it is a big garden. You could always try a couple and test them out over the winter
www.crestedducks.co.uk (http://www.crestedducks.co.uk)
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I think it depends on your veg patch.
We have things growing in a polytunnel and 2 foot high raised beds. The ducks get to patrol all around the area, but not actually inside the polytunnel or on top of the beds, so no actual contact with the veggies.
I've definitely noticed a reduction in the slug population since we unleashed the ducks, and no downside that I can see. If you don't have raised beds, perhaps you could fence them out of the actual veg rows, for a similar effect?
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interesting womble, presumably the fencing would not need to be too high?
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No, not too high. Perhaps you could use 'tunnels' of chicken wire even?
All I'll say is that we used to find a slug or three under every plant pot we lifted in that area, but now only one slug every three pots or so. Of course in your case the ducks could have complete free range during the winter and you'd only need the fencing during the spring/summer. I'm others will be along soon enough who've tried similar.
Now, can anybody tell me how to stop the peacocks from eating our brussel sprouts? The only ones they've not decimated are the red ones! ;D