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DUCKS

post #1 of 44
6/20/12 at 9:34am
Thread Starter 

I am so excited about being a new ducks owner, or should I say they own me!  I want to get closer with them and handle them more.  They seem skiddish and very close to each other (i have 2) and they are about 5 weeks now.  I also have water in with them so they can swim in it but I'd like to add some pond plants...any suggestions?

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post #2 of 44
6/20/12 at 10:02am

WelcometoBYC.gif. Ponds plants are going to be a waste of money. Domestic waterfowl are way  too destructive toward plants and will most likely kill them all off 

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #3 of 44
6/20/12 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Kevin...found that out today. It's a good thing I only bought one plant, my grandchildren and I watched them eat it in about 30 minutes!

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post #4 of 44
6/20/12 at 8:07pm

LOL, I'm sure that your ducks enjoyed it.

 

If your pond is in a permanent position you could put some plants around it - tough plants that live on the edge of marshes are good as plants to put round a pond. They will enjoy the water that your ducks splash out of the pond. You want things with stringy, strong leaves. Try googling 'bog garden plants' or 'wetland garden plants'. If you don't have dirt around your pond you could try having the plants in pots. The ducks don't need the plants though - I'm just suggesting this in case you'd like to have some plants around to look nice :)

 

If you'd like to tame your ducks a bit more then giving them treats is the way to go. It's well known that ducks love thawed-out frozen peas, so you could try those. At first, toss the peas on the ground at a distance from you and stand back to let the ducks feel safe to come and investigate. Over time, you can toss the peas closer and closer to yourself. Maybe they may eat out of your hand eventually.

Swedish ducks in Black, Blue and Splash
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Swedish ducks in Black, Blue and Splash
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post #5 of 44
6/22/12 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 

LOL I just tried the peas this morning!  WONDERFUL idea!  Thank you.  I'm going to use them as a treat, like you said.  They ate them our of my hand and then I put a few in their smaller water dish.

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post #6 of 44
6/24/12 at 12:06am

My ducks think the water lillies are their personal pond dipping "treat";  however they leave the water irises alone (except to nuzzle between the leaves).   I also have an ornamental grass in the marginals and they leave that alone too.  

 

From my experience, I would say there are some plants which they will decimate and others they are happy to nuzzle in but do not destroy.

 

 

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post #7 of 44
6/24/12 at 8:24am
Thread Starter 

Just wanted you to know that my ducklings are just loving the peas as a treat!  I shake them in this little red bowl, they see and hear that and get all excited!  I sit in their kennel and hold the peas on my lap and feed them and they are even letting me pet them very lightly!  We are now in the process of building an area outside of their kennel so they can graze, I'm so excited!  I've hung some fly strips in thier kennel for the flies.  Here in Colorado our weather has been so hot so they flies are getting close to anything damp or stinky...lol

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post #8 of 44
6/26/12 at 6:48am

Sounds like you're having fun thumbsup.gif

 

A thought on the fly paper idea:  have you hung it far enough away from the ducks reach?   My ducks chase and eat flies and I'd hate for one of yours to pick flies off the strip and for something nasty to happen.

 

 

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post #9 of 44
6/26/12 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 

I am having so much fun!  Just came in from changing their water and feeding them and having my morning coffee in the pen with them while giving them their treats of peas!  My dog even comes out when I feed them in the morning and she has some oats with them...on the OUTSIDE of their kennel of course.I have the fly stirps on the top along the chicken wire lol I thought about them getting all stuck to it too so that was my reason for making sure it was out of their way!

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post #10 of 44
6/26/12 at 7:53am

Peas and Corn.

My ducks would cross an ocean for peas and corn.

When in doubt mumble.
When in trouble DELEGATE!!
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When in doubt mumble.
When in trouble DELEGATE!!
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