Can You Have a Pet Duck With Turtles?

Question

I Have 5 Turtles

2 - Map Turtles

1 - Yellow Belly Slidder

2 - Red Ear Sliders

Im making a pond in my back yard for them, I want a pet duck for the pond to the pond is going to be gated so nothing can get in. but do I havet to worry about my turtles touching the ducks if I get them?

Answer 1

I don't think so

Answer 2

you can. the duck will be fine with them. But BEWARE!! Ducks p**p in the water! so you need a pump to keep the water clean.  

Answer 3

you know ducks can fly...

Answer 4

yea. the duck will have to be bigger though so that the turtles don't see it as a potential meal.  provide some feeder fish in the pond so the turtles can be focusing on them to eat. other than that turtles and ducks live mutually.

Answer 5

The pond should be just for the turtles..they will nip at the ducks feet. The ducks unless you clip their wings will fly. NO matter how nice your pond is.

The ducks p**p big gross stuff and that mucks up the water and is not good for your turtles that need good filtered water.

You know sliders get sick easy.

How will you keep the pond warm in the winter?

I have 2 heaters in my 150 gal pond.

The only thing I have in my pond is goldfish and minnows for the turtled to dine on and get their exercise chasing them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...



You need a good filter system!

You need to feed them feeder guppies, goldfish or minnows for protein and calcium daily.

They need leafy greens for vitamins at least 3 to 4 times a week.

I wish you luck

Answer 6

yeah i would say that you should be able to have ducks and turtles in the same pond.....as long as the duck is bigger than the turtle ahaha....idk if that help but...could you help me if you could...

Answer 7

Gates won't help.  Birds fly.

You are talking about developing a natural ecosystem in your yard.

You have much research to do.

IF the pond is large enough to deal with the duck's waste, and the turtle's?  You can manage it.  I NEVER suggest mixing turtles and birds.  Their bacteria isn't compatible.  The ducks will introduce all kinds of bacteria and parasites into the environment.  Their digestive processes work differently.

As for the "ducks can fly" comment, let me share an experience.  I got 6 Mallards for my daughter.  It snowed one night, uncalled for, and was 6 ft deep!

I woke in panic for the flighted ducks (they could have left at any moment), and dashed out, struggling all the way, to find them very content IN the fenced area, and it then was then ONLY 2" tall, cause the rest was UNDER snow!!!  They paced and mumbled in the 2" tall fenced area!!!

They were the hardest creatures I ever rehabilitated to the wild (yep, bought them as pets, and had to learn).  I have had the now wild and released Mums bring children to me to feed, in their wild home now.  But, it took a couple years for the shift, for the adults...  And I had to help at first.

We all just do "what seems neat" at the time, not realizing the overall impact of our actions.  I'm guilty, too.

Ducks in your turtle pond are a bad idea.  Research both animals.  And your ducks will eat your young turtles (hatchlings).

It's best to restrict relationships from the wild to your tame turtles in all ways you can.

Even if you clip the duck - the waste from it must be taken into account on the ecology of the pond, and the impact to the turtles.

Talk to your vet, or a local zoo, about trying to create a wild ecosystem.  It takes MANY gallons, to do what you are envisioning.

I don't mean to be a party-pooper.  I just want you to realize what you are undertaking.

Thus my ID... uh huh... Been there: done this.

Maybe I should change it to "been there: TRIED this"?

Either way, do your research, and be informed before you subject your turtles to this drastic change.

I know you only want to do what is best for your turtles.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Answer 8

idk but i have a pet ducky named turtle living in my toilet.