Someone advised me that keeping a few ducks is a brilliant way to control slugs and snails, which are a big problem in my garden. Is this a good idea?
M Lynch, Galway
Yes, certain breeds of duck are excellent at keeping down populations of slugs and snails and preventing them from causing extensive damage to plants. Examples include Indian Runners, Muscovy and Khaki Campbells.
They do need to be kept out of any vulnerable areas of the garden with young, delicate or emerging plants and seedlings (for example, the vegetable garden). Ducks are also less likely than chickens to scratch around the base of young plants and accidentally uproot them.
Their pest-control abilities aside, ducks are endlessly endearing, with their own distinct personalities and individual habits – with the result that they can quickly become much-loved pets. But they do require the company of other ducks, space to roam, food, bedding, constant access to clean water for drinking and bathing (a garden pond or pool is ideal), and a fox-proof run and secure housing to sleep in at night. Household pets such as cats and dogs can also be a problem, as is the threat of bird flu, which can be transferred from wild populations.
All the above requires time, money and careful monitoring, as well as a firm commitment to letting your ducks out of their house every morning and making sure they’re safely locked in at dusk. Some people aren’t fans of the copious quantities of duck poo that the animals produce, as well as their propensity to make their favourite areas of the garden quite muddy – but this is much less of an issue in large gardens where they’re allowed to roam freely for parts of the day.
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If you happen to know someone who already keeps ducks, then I’d suggest asking them if it would be possible to visit their garden to get a sense of how it works in real life – a practical way to help you weigh up the pros and cons.
