I'm getting some white Muscovies soon, after much thinking and deliberation over my slug issue and love of natural gardening. They do have some remaining Bumblefoot, but I'm pretty confident I can handle it. Their current owner is taking good care of the problem as well. Still, this is two firsts, with the species and the ailment, and any advice would be welcome. Aside from the natural "only get healthy birds" advice, I'm ignoring that one.
The more I read about these ducks the more I love them, knobbly faces and all. Especially the quiet factor. Silence is a virtue, in backyard fowl. I am somewhat concerned about my gooseberries; will the ducks eat the sawfly larvae, or just strip the berries? I'm also growing Rhubarb, will they know to avoid the poisonous leaves, or should I fence them off now? Would be a shame, because thats where the slugs seem to be breeding. That area is where the firewood gets chucked over the retaining wall, so its all bark and wood chips. Slug heaven.
How often would I let them out to forage to keep the bad bugs down, but still allow for pollinators? I'm afraid they'll eat all the lovely bumblebees. Fewer yellowjackets and ants would be nice though. Plus I don't want to stress them by keeping them more confined than they would like.
The more I read about these ducks the more I love them, knobbly faces and all. Especially the quiet factor. Silence is a virtue, in backyard fowl. I am somewhat concerned about my gooseberries; will the ducks eat the sawfly larvae, or just strip the berries? I'm also growing Rhubarb, will they know to avoid the poisonous leaves, or should I fence them off now? Would be a shame, because thats where the slugs seem to be breeding. That area is where the firewood gets chucked over the retaining wall, so its all bark and wood chips. Slug heaven.
How often would I let them out to forage to keep the bad bugs down, but still allow for pollinators? I'm afraid they'll eat all the lovely bumblebees. Fewer yellowjackets and ants would be nice though. Plus I don't want to stress them by keeping them more confined than they would like.