Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health [Paperback]

Dave Holderread (Author)

Book Description

Series: Storey's Guide to Raising | Publication Date: November 8, 2000

For 17 years readers have turned to Storey Books for advice on raising animals. Our Modern Way series of six books has sold more than 1,000,000 copies. In an effort to provide readers with the best how-to animal books on the market we are completely updating all six Modern Way titles and reintroducing them as part of our Guide to Raising series.

Written by experts, these guides give novice and experienced livestock farmers all they need to know to successfully keep and profit from animals. Each book includes information on selection, housing, space requirements, breeding and birthing techniques, feeding, behavior, and health concerns and remedies for illness. The books also address the business of raising animals -- processing meat, milk, eggs, and more. The authors were chosen not only for their expertise but also for their ability to explain the ins and outs of animal husbandry in an inviting and authoritative manner.

Whether readers are ready to start an entire herd or flock or are considering purchasing their first animal, Storey's Guide to Raising series offers vital information; each book is an indispensable reference.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Everything You Need to Know to Raise Ducks Successfully

This comprehensive, fully illustrated guide takes you through every step of owning ducks. An essential resource for any duck breeder, it provides the most up-to-date information on:

Individual breeds

Breeding for color varieties

Feeding and housing

Maximizing egg production

Breeding for color varieties

Showing prize-winning ducks

Health care and disease prevention

"This book is a deep and useful resource for anyone from beginner to advanced breeder and is jam-packed with information available nowhere else. This includes not only recent scientific understandings but also many insights and 'tricks' from old-time breeders that are sure to contribute to success." - D. Philip Sponenberg, D.V.M., Ph.D. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

About the Author

Dave Holderread has raised and studied ducks for 50 years. He taught applied poultry science in Puerto Rico before he and his wife established one of the largest genetic stocks of domestic waterfowl in the world on their farm in Oregon. Their ducks have won numerous championships at regional, national, and international shows.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 2nd edition (November 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158017258X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580172585
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Guide for amateur(or experienced) duck raisers!!!, March 17, 2002

By 

"publius30" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health (Paperback)

Holderread's book is extremely helpful in giving you all the information necessary to raise ducks. The book gives info on why to raise, features, behavior, breeds, hybrids, colors, acquiring stock, incubation, rearing ducklings, managing adults, feeds, butchering, health and physical problems, and duck shows. It also gives recipes, ways to use feathers, and sources for ducks, equipment, feed, etc. He gives stories from his childhood duck experiences, too.

Being a complete beginner, I bought this book along with ten mallard ducklings July 2001. They are now completely grown, healthy, pretty, happy, friendly, etc! They are laying eggs and hatching them now, too. Each has it's own distinct personality. One's even a lap duck!

I really recommend ducks as pets, livestock, or decoration. If you have the time and money, you should buy your own little flock. They will be so much fun, and with this book, you'll keep them happy.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Storey's Guide to RAISING DUCKS, January 26, 2001

By 

"iridesa" (San Diego, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health (Paperback)

Well written and put together. This book is for the beginner as well as intermediate domestic duck keepers. Has everything from care and housing to breeding and basic genetics in an easy to understand format. If you've read Raising the Home Duck Flock by Dave Holderread... and found it of use, you'll love this one. He's revised the previous edition with the newest up-to-date information available for domestic waterfowl.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best duck book available, January 24, 2007

By 

" Anti Microchip " "Jesus Christ can ... (Desolation America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health (Paperback)

This book has something for everyone. If your buying ducks as pets or for a large scale operation this book will give you the knowledge you desire. It covers incubation, raising ducklings, feeders, waterers, housing, sanitation, breeds, behavior, genetics, anatomy of the duck, breeding, butchering, sexing, diet, and much more. Even more impressive than what this book covers in under 300 pages is how easy it is to read. Mr. Holderread has written a book easy enough that a 12 year old can become a duck expert. If you are thinking or raising a couple ducks or hundreds this is the only book you will ever need.