The Complete Duck Owner's Guide

Your comprehensive veterinary guide to raising healthy, happy backyard ducks. Written by Dr. Rosemary Stolzer-Bolton, DVM, this 87-page guide covers everything from choosing the right breed to managing your flock through every season — with special attention to the duck-specific challenges that trip up first-time keepers. What's inside: • Breed selection — Pekins, Khaki Campbells, Runners, Muscovies, Cayugas & more • Anatomy & biology — the bill, waterproofing, oil gland, niacin metabolism & more • Behavior & communication — reading posture, understanding vocalizations, flock dynamics • Setup & housing — drainage, fencing, shelter design & bedding for a mess-free setup • Water & pond management — the most critical duck-keeping challenge, fully solved • Nutrition & feeding — niacin supplementation, waterfowl feed, safe treats & what to avoid • Egg production — duck egg differences, early-morning laying habits & collection tips • The molt — eclipse plumage, the flightless period & nutritional support • Hatching duck eggs — humidity, candling & the key differences from chicken incubation • Ducklings & brooding — safe water introduction, niacin supplements & brooder setup • Health & preventive care — daily observation, hands-on examination & care calendar • Common diseases — angel wing, bumblefoot, duck plague, botulism & respiratory illness • Predators & protection — mink, hawks, foxes & infrastructure that keeps ducks safe • Seasonal care — spring production, summer heat, fall molt & winter water management • Emergency & first aid — predator attacks, egg binding, hypothermia & your first aid kit Evidence-based. Veterinarian-written. No fluff — just the clinical knowledge you need to keep your flock thriving.