Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, 2nd Edition: Breeds, Care, Health

All of Storey's Guides have been very helpful and informative. Easy read and reference guides to get information really quickly. This one is no exception to the rule. I seem to be collecting the guides one by one similar to the "Dummies" series of Computer software etc. I strongly recommend this entire series by Storey.

Nothing beats a Storey's guide for reliable and accurate information. I don't believe there is anyone west of the Mississippi who knows as much about ducks as Dave Holderread. Put the two together and you have one awesome resource for everything from choosing the right duck for your yard, personality, and purpose to how to handle an emergency. I couldn't quite bring myself to read the chapter on butchering my beloved pets, but everything else was interesting and helpful. The genetic chapter was over my head, but IF I were interested in breeding it would be a chapter I would study at length.It was lovely to have someone write to me and not at me or down at me. Some books treat readers as if they are children, others are trying to convince readers not to have ducks as pets, some are only about how to make money. Holderread covers all these things, but also gives the pet owner the information needed to have healthy happy ducks. Whether you want three little girls to eat your slugs or 100 gals to produce an income, this is the best book to get--you can trust me, I've read 47 books on raising ducks.

Gives info on husbandry & all the various details on the different species of ducks. I would highly recommend for anyone thinking of buying ducks 🥰

First 100-150 pages go into immense detail about all the different breeds out there. These chapters are split up by weight of bird (bantam, lightweight, medium, heavy), then go into detail on each breed: giving a history, description, overview of varieties within the breed, how to select breeders, and factors going into show birds. As someone just starting out, I didn't find this info relevant and ended up just skipping it once I understood that the structure of the chapters. Similar comments apply to the chapters on duck colors/genetics.It was really the second half of the book that I found useful: chapters on incubation, rearing, managing adult ducks, and feed. There was also a very detailed section on duck illnesses which would be handy for reference purposes when needed.Bottom line, I went in thinking that such a large (and well reviewed book) would impart much greater knowledge than some of the shorter, more accessible books; but again, half the book was not relevant to someone just starting out raising ducks for the first time.

If you want to raise ducks, are thinking about raising ducks, dream about raising ducks, or just like to read about ducks, this is the book you need. This book is the Everything you always wanted to know about ducks written by one of the preeminent experts on ducks, covering topics such as genetics, housing, feed, and many others. Admittedly Mr Holderread is not the liveliest writer in all the world but he knows his stuff, and that is what I came for. It may well be true that in farming there is no teacher quite like experience but I have referred to these pages many times to help me to formulate feed, avoid potentially serious problems by understanding certain behavioral characteristics, and make sound management decisions not just for the ducks but my other birds also. I am quite certain that my ducks and probably my other birds too derived great benefit from the information gathered from these pages, and possibly live healthier and happier lives.

If you only buy one book about raising ducks, this is the one you want.This book helped me choose a breed, design a predator-resistant duck house and duck yard, and create a healthy feeding/watering plan. With its help, I raised mail-order ducklings to a healthy laying flock--losing only 1 out of 9 ducklings.It is a VERY PRACTICAL guide written by a man who has tons of experience breeding, raising, and showing ducks of many different breeds. It has probably some of the best breed descriptions (although, of course, not lots of beautiful color photos) in any duck book I've read. His duck feeding, watering, and housing guides are in-depth and practical. I refer to them frequently as the needs of my flock change. I find if I'm running into trouble--it's usually because I disregarded one of his suggestions. His health section has tips to prevent illness in the first place, and treatment suggestions keeping in mind the real world value of your average duck. There is a short section on butchering/ recipes too, as well as showing.

Five years after purchase and I still readily reference this from my bookshelf.Originally purchased as a personal reference while working as a naturalist at a waterfowl wildlife refuge where I was assisting in tending habitats and care for wild waterfowl and injured-secured wild or domestic waterfowl. A year later, I brought home an abandoned, domestic muscovy duckling from work -- who then needed a friend and purchased a domestic khaki campbell duckling.I've used this book and Kimberley Link's "The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook" (which is crazily priced at the moment of writing, but I purchased when $10 used) as my reference guides in duck keeping and they are the only two I own on the topic. They both cover some similar material but also vast other amounts individually. Both have become a great set to lend to new duck owners before they go out and buy any guides or reference material for themselves.

This book is excellent for first time duck owners and probably has a thing or two for experienced duck owners as well. I love the genetic information, which helped me select duck breeds that, when mixed, create auto sexed offspring (brown girls and black or white boys). This way, I can decide at hatch which ducks I want to keep, sell, or process so I can socialize the ones I'm keeping right away. The book gives loads of clear, organized information referencing studies, as well as experience, with a few cute stories sprinkled throughout.

I personally found this to be a good quality book. Arrived quickly and in perfect shape. Has been the highlight of my recent reading time!

excellent work

En general es un buen libro, pero en mi caso busco algo específico que no encuentro en muchos libros dedicados a la crianza de patos. No hay un apartado sobre el sistema digestivo.

I have been keeping ducks for three years now, and have raised two lots of ducklings, this book has been invaluable. My now well thumbed copy is a constant companion during hatching and I use this as a reference when any duck related issues arise.I brought this book, before I got my first ducks and the easily accessible information contain within the first few chapters helped me select a breed right for my situation, construct suitable housing, provide adequate care, and within weeks collect my first eggs!! The next spring the book gave me the confidence to initiate brooding and raise the first ducklings (all equipment and various stages of rearing ducklings fully explained) now the back garden is full of fluffy yellow 'peepers'.The author obviously has a life time of knowledge and experience and this comes across in the book, case studies and anecdotes add interest and humour, clear illustrations and good quality photography (sadly black and white) make this book a must have for any budding duck keeper. There are chapters on duck colour, hybrids, exhibiting birds and meat production for those that are more experienced .....I would highly recommend this book

Excellent book. Well written, informative and backed up by sound research and experience.