we keep ducks in a pen... a big one!
because of our location, its much safer for the ducks.
they have a paddling pool/sand pit type pond which we overflow everyday to clean it, and they have a hut which they (finally!) lay their lovely eggs in. the pen runs along side the "big shed" so the duck house is actually inside the shed (the chickens use the lid as an extra perch!) and they see each other through the wire, but the pond is well away from the hens.
they dont sleep in the hut though, but at least they are safe within the pen.
we have 5 Aylseburies and 2 runners, so both short and fat and tall and thin!
aylesburies are 'dual purpose' but I know my o/h wouldnt eat them, so we are just eggs & drakes for hatching eggs
they soon made the pen muddy, but then so did the hens. They have pipe pots that have spinach beet growing in - they eat off all the leaves but can't reach to grub it out so it grows back eventually.
they have plenty of food, including slugs, grass, hay, greens etc.
I sell to a colleague whos husband has apparently been awaiting the eggs since I told her we had ducklings!
my parents have surprised me by loving the eggs, and as Im taking 6 into work tomorrow for her mentioned above, I'm going to make it obvious & may just get some more people interested (it works with the hens and quail eggs
)