Ducks for Pest Management in the Garden

We're using our ducks for pest management in the garden today. We also get the added bonus of duck fertilizer in our organic garden. We've got some true permaculture ducks on our hands!

About Gold Shaw Farm: Gold Shaw Farm is more of a farm-in-progress than an honest-to-goodness farm. Our dream is that someday we are able to transform our 150+ acre parcel of land into a regenerative and productive homestead and farm.

[FeathersFarmstead]

That's the way to do it! It works with chickens...why not ducks? They probably just don't scratch it up as much.

[megandaniels]

Ducks are the best garden helpers! I don't have as many ducks as you, but I built my duck house and run into the garden. They spend all winter with access to the garden to eat all the weeds I was too lazy to pull and find all the bugs for me. In the past when I only had 2 ducks, they lived in the garden full time during the summer after my plants were established. Since the don't scratch like chickens, they don't dig up the plants. And if I lose a head of lettuce or some green beans to them it's no big deal, they deserve a treat for all the work they do in the garden for me. They did a great job keeping the bugs off the plants. Great video!

[johnpapa]

I think this is smart. I wish we as a country would break our dependence on chemicals as much as possible.

[janiefox]

Nothing funnier than a Peking duck in a hurry. I am enjoying your videos so much. I'm too old to even think of having some, so I live vicariously through you 2.

[Hassaan]

When you started saying “all ducks to go to bed” and they followed your command I was amazed. Till they went the wrong side... then I burst into laughter. 🤣

[MargaretMargaretMargaret]

The white ducks waddling was so freaking

[qbrgvpf]

I am so happy to still be around(heart issue) and see you guys are still striving

[chandranapier]

I’ve owned ducks before and I can vouch they are great for pests. I had a hen duck that we would pick up and take around our rural home to pick slugs off the wall.

[stfulbyisilb]

The poor white ducks they are so slow and wobbly

[EASTSIDERIDER]

Geese were used for weed and insect control in cotton near Fresno in the 80’s New growth weeds follow the frequent irrigation. Geese go where tractors can’t

[buckbuchanan]

When the ducks shot past the door... I thought, oh man it's about to get really exciting! Glad your herding skills were up to the task.

[louisegogel]

I too live in Vermont, and at the moment (5:10) that he said it has been pouring rain, it started to downpour outside where I am... August 29, 2020 5:45 am....lol.

Permaculture principles include working with the skills and ways of Nature so they work for you just ny being themselves!

Go chickens, go ducks!

[coopboulton]

I don't know if they're more effective than chickens but they are certainly more adorable

[kerrybiery]

Hi. Love the group waddle! And it was hilarious to see them forage as one big unit— like watching a ballet. Too cute!
—KGB

[anitraahrens]

Great idea, Morgan! A very efficient way to get ducks to clean up the garden and prepare for a new planting season.

[Tascaraudo]

Thank you for creating these videos. It's a joy to watch the ducks and geese, and to have you explain your thought processes.

[noworriessoap]

What a tremendous idea. Less work for you, more menu items for the ducks, and soil improvement in the process. Thank you for sharing!

[raebells]

If you sprayed it with water they would go to town on all that stuff.

[estellar]

Our Duck Zeke just last week was attacked & killed 😓 something got into his cage & your videos are bittersweet. We rescued him with a broken foot kayaking this summer on my birthday. Got him healed up. He was THE BEST. Followed us around everywhere. Hung out in the bathtub with the kids. HE had just started laying eggs (so SHE) the week before...miss her so much.

We really thought it was a boy.

[drloveslearning]

Very soothing to see Ducks clearing the winter garden...