Properly cared for runner ducks can be a helpful way to reduce slug populations, but before purchasing or renting them, it is important to ensure that their housing will be properly prepared, according to a press release from VMVT.
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“People are increasingly looking for natural solutions in their gardens and orchards, so interest in runner ducks is understandable. However, it is important to remind that ducks are not just a means to control slugs – they are animals that require proper nutrition, a safe environment, daily care, and health monitoring. A responsible approach helps protect the ducks themselves and reduce the risk of possible infectious diseases to other domestic birds,” notes Kristina Ulienė, head of the Animal Welfare Department at VMVT.
What conditions do runner ducks need?
Runner ducks are active, social birds, so it is essential to provide them with conditions to behave naturally and move around. Ducks must be provided with:
- a safe place protected from predators, such as hawks or martens;
- enough space to move and express natural behavior;
- constant access to clean drinking water;
- the ability to submerge their heads in water to clean their eyes and nostrils;
- a suitable social environment – ducks should not be kept alone.
It is important to remember that slugs cannot constitute a complete diet for ducks. They can only be an additional natural feed, but the main part of their diet must consist of balanced feed designed for ducks. Only proper nutrition ensures that the birds receive all the nutrients necessary for their health.
Biosecurity helps protect birds from diseases
When using runner ducks for slug control, it is important to care not only about their housing conditions but also to reduce the possibility of spreading infectious diseases. Transporting and moving birds between different farms or homesteads can create conditions for the spread of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease.
All domestic bird keepers must adhere to biological safety measures. It is especially important to note that disease agents can be transmitted not only by the birds themselves but also through transport boxes, vehicles, footwear, clothing, equipment, or other contaminated items.
Ducks can also become infected by contact with wild waterfowl or their contaminated environment. Keeping or releasing birds near open water bodies frequented by wild waterfowl poses a particularly high risk – these are among the main carriers of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
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To reduce the risk of disease spread, it is recommended to:
- protect domestic birds from contact with wild birds;
- store feed so that wild birds, rodents, and other animals cannot access it;
- not give domestic birds water from open water bodies;
- keep ducks and geese separate from other domestic birds;
- avoid unnecessary visits to other bird housing locations and direct contact with wild birds;
- thoroughly clean, wash, and disinfect transport containers, vehicles, footwear, and other used equipment after each transport;
- not transport sick or suspected sick birds;
- constantly monitor the health status of the birds.
If you notice changes in the appearance or behavior of domestic birds, apathy, reduced appetite or water intake, sudden death of domestic birds, or find a dead wild water bird, report it as soon as possible to a private veterinarian or VMVT.
It is important to assess the environment before releasing ducks
Before releasing runner ducks into a garden or orchard, it is important to ensure that the environment is safe for them. If chemical agents or other plant protection products intended for slug control are used on the territory or neighboring plots, there is a risk to the ducks’ health.
Ducks may lick slug control agents on the ground or slugs affected by them, so before using ducks for biological slug control, it is necessary to check that the area is safe for them.
If ducks are moved from one place to another, special attention must be paid to their transport. Catching, loading, traveling, unloading, and adapting to a new environment can negatively affect the birds’ well-being, cause unnecessary fear, increase the risk of injuries, and worsen health conditions.
Only healthy birds can be transported, ensuring proper transport conditions and complying with applicable animal transport requirements. Upon arrival at the new location, ducks must be given conditions to rest, adapt, and their health status must be monitored.
VMVT reminds that responsibly cared for runner ducks can be a natural auxiliary solution to reduce slug populations. The most important thing is to ensure that their housing conditions meet the birds’ needs. So far, VMVT has not received reports of improper keeping of runner ducks or violations of their welfare.
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