How easy are ducks to keep

[lockdownrainbow]

We have duckling eggs due to hatch in two days
We can keep them when bigger
They are pekin ducks
How easy are they to keep?
We have cats

We have had khaki Campbell's and call ducks, messy but easy, however they proved irresistible to the fox.

they are noisy and smelly so keep that in mind if you have close neighbours.
but such personalities.

They are relatively easy to keep when big, but they require a lot of intensive care and attention in the early weeks. They also get big very quickly! They'll be the size of full size grown up ducks by 4-5 weeks. They also need an indoor (can be a barn, as long as warm and secure) box with heat source for at least the first probably 1-2 months (then outdoors in a duck house during the night, possibly still with heat source, weather dependent). They smell a lot and make a lot of mess, water splashing everywhere and lots of smelly poo. If you have lots of outdoor space that you can fence off a run for them separate from the rest of your garden, it's doable. Ours were able to go outside during the day every day from 4 weeks or so (but still get put back inside at night - either in a shed or in a duck house). Keep in mind they do have special nutrition needs, so I'd read up on that quickly and how to set up a brooder box, if you think you will keep them.

What were you planning to do with the ducklings in the first place?

Like any animal, you need to look into caring for them, but...
They stink!
They need clean water deep enough to get there heads in-otherwise they have eye infections, so you need a pond with water flowing in and an outflow, or you need to clean out OFTEN.
They’re an easy target for foxes etc.
You need to make sure you have far more ducks than drakes ;or no drakes at all).

They stink and shit like mad.

If I've learnt one thing from MN it's that you have to get them in a row.