Recent content by BallardDuck

I'm right here in Seattle, Ballard actually. I've had my ducks for 2 winters and they've been just fine. Never had to heat them. I have a coop that is built in the end of my garage where I lock them in at night. They have a pen/run where they spend the daytime (with access to the coop as well)...

Miss Lydia +1 Just thought I'd share this picture of the odd assortment one day when my girls were just starting to sort out this egg laying business!

You'll LOVE duck eggs, and it won't be long now! I was told 26 weeks and mine (Khaki) started @ 22!

I bought a 12" round aggregate stepping stone at the hardware store. I seated it in the soil and leveled it and set the waterer on it. This way the waterer stays level (so it doesn't drain itself), and the ducks can dabble where they please without upsetting it.

Mine girls have always eaten up the crushed oyster shell like I would potato chips! I've read on here that some just put it out and refill as necessary. Mine is a daily deal; every morning they get a handful of oyster shell, in a seperate dish from the feed. I assume it's okay?

Sorry, probably seems like I just dropped this. I have been massaging her abdomen and giving her warm baths and haven't really noticed any change in 2 weeks. I have come to the conclusion that I may just have a fat duck! Her daily behavior remains unchanged...still active with the flock...

Okay, I just looked out the kitchen window and saw Ping flapping her wings, so I went on out to investigate. Ta-dah! One big egg, but with that weird crystalized coating on it...I've forgotten what that's all about? Anyway...I'm hoping this means crisis passed. I'll just keep a close eye on her...

That's the part I'm not sure of...well, another part I'm not sure of. All 3 were laying an egg a day since last November, then a month ago it was down to 2, but not sure who was doing what. I assumed Mary Pang was not laying because she appeared to be going through a wing molt...but this...

Does he blame it on the dog?

Hopefully this is nothing...that would be a nice change! I first noticed Ping, my 15 month White Layer looked like her belly was hanging a bit lower than usual. (She looks a bit like an overweight cat right now) So I started watching her a bit closer, and it seems like she is walking a bit...

So, really, probably the most sensible thing is to just keep them separate.

My problem with ducks and blueberries is that they love them! I haven't finished putting together my kitchen garden, but I can see that there's going to have to be a barrier or I'll have to buy my own blueberries. Every time I turn around I'm shooing them away from the bushes!

I don't believe there is a shortcut...just gotta change it!

OH! Guess I misread that original post. I have no plants in the pen. I've thought about it, but I'm pretty sure everything would be worried to death in there. The plants I mentioned are in my garden and the girls do get to free range in there, but don't have access all day. I would be inclined...

I was actually surprised at how few plants my ducks ruined. I have Hosta (4 varieties), Hellebore (7 varieties), Heuchera (3 varieties), Ferns many), Epimedium, Lilies, Sedum (several, from groundcover to spectabilis), Blueberries, Roses, Hydrangea, and a host of other shrubs/perennials. The...