I've just discovered my daughters Hamster has died

She won't know until in the morning now, I won't be getting her another one as I'm sitting here heartbroken over the little thing, they just don't live long enough I'm not looking forward to the tears in the morning.

Last year I promised her I would get some Ducks as they are pretty cheap to buy at the local auction and I assume pretty easy to look after, would this be a good place to start, maybe? Don't know not sure, so a little direction here wouldn't go a miss.

So after all has settled down in the morning, I'll keep the promise I made her last year.

So, tell me what do I need for two ducks, enclosure, food and all.

Tell me what to do to make them happy?

Hubby was a bit put off when we enquired with the guy who owns the chicken farm just up the road from us telling us not to start with the ownership of chickens, ducks etc as they cause Rats and Mice, but we already have mice scurrying around anyway, so a few more isn't going to make a whole load of difference, it's just the Rats I found slightly offputting, so how true is this?

I would imagine if they are kept pretty clean and well looked after it wouldn't be a problem, I probably sound a bit mental but they would more than likely find their way into the house anyway as the back door is permanantly left open

So come on guys help me out here, I've always been of the mind children should have some responsibility when it comes to small animals it helps them become responsible adults. I actually like ducks and love geese, so a little advice would certainly be very much appreciated here.