I constantly get asked about how I deal with slugs, especially because I am in a wetter part of the UK and there is plenty of grass around – even our garden paths are grass! So I thought I would make a quick video as a reference to my answer on how we deal with slugs here. If there is enough interest I will then make a very detailed video on all the steps needed in terms of looking after ducks, choosing the right breed, when to use them etc.
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"Why Every Vegetable Garden Needs Ducks" There are many vegetable gardens don't don't have duck, and they seem to thrive. So you don't 'NEED' ducks.
And duck eggs are more nutrient dense than chicken eggs!
I used to have two ducks, such amazing animals! best pets I ever had..Max (male duck) was my best friend for 18yrs had him from a duckling, he had the full run of the garden and used to sleep in our garage. They have great hearing too,they actually recognised the sound of my motorbike and would always meet me at the gate (not coincidence) i saw them multiple times running round to meet and soon as the gate opened they would be jumping up at my leg. Really do miss them especially max ,he always wanted picking up and cuddling. Ducks will almost eat anything though (spiders,ants,slugs,flies, butterflies, Caterpillar, even snails if they capture them slithering, but always make sure you always give them duck pellet feed mixed with lettuce too at the very least to make sure they have a balanced diet. Ours used to have some left over dinner too) max ate slugs every so often.. but I do have to stress this, say make sure they is plenty of water in dishes scattered around for them to drink if you use this method because the slugs do gunk up their beaks a hell of a lot and they're quite bitter…so please make sure they are pots of water scattered around the garden so they can wash the slime down..they are thirsty animals in general. Oh one last thing they do poop a lot and it can stink so if you like that though…ducks aren't for you
How do you get them on the raised beds?
My garden is located directly next to a body of water with a lot of ducks. I think I hit the jackpot
I really like this idea of "community ducks", shared by many neighbors. I live in a suburban part of a city in the southeast USA, where it is warm and sometimes quite wet – slugs are everywhere in my grass and garden. I wish I could sculpt a small pond and have a few ducks, and be sure they would not be preyed upon. I agree they are very charming as well as useful!
Release the Quacken!
Ever try copper on zinc strips around your beds? I have heard slugs won't cross those due to the light electrical charge they generate.
I use a lot of egg shells.. I have one duck. She loves slugs and mice. I have a very small garden. The it's all fence in. I do have chickens too.
Hey Huw! Just wondering if you're still up for making the more detailed video on this subject that you suggested in the video description? I'm in the early stages of developing a CSA scheme, and plan to use ducks for slug control, and eggs as a secondary product. I'd also love to use a rare breed if possible, and quite like the look of Shetland Ducks. Would love to hear more!
Great info thanks Huw.
I just finished watching a video about 10,000 ducks being unleashed onto rice patties in Thailand to eat pests and rice husks. Your strategy shown on a massive scale. Proof it can be done anywhere.
Howe…if you will get biodigester make biogas from plant waste instead of composting your garden will skyrocket
what about snails ?
0:11 for a second I thoght that was a very fast slug
Talk less we want to see the ducks in action quack quack
https://youtu.be/HqcZAgXOQ0g
This how we do duck eggs preservation.
We agree! Ducks are always a great thing in the garden and food forest. Ducks are wonderful foragers and they do not destroy the vegetables too much especially when managed.
I probably need about 12
The way they arch around the garden. So adorable
Do ducks eat kitchen scraps?
I'm afraid they will end up eating the vegetables. How do you control this?
with the right environment could wild ducks solve your problem?
100% honest, I came here from Tumblr
Thanks Huw.
Just a heads up. You don't herd chickens , you teach them to follow/come to you when you call them. A bit of scratch grain the first few times is all it takes. I also call them to follow me when I'm picking japenese beetles.
I love it