Recent content by Bolfreak
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Duck Prolapse Vent – Can it Revert?
Don’t do Epsom baths for ducks because they will drink too much of it. A nice tepid bath works just as well. If it is prolapse vs regular egg laying, keep her in a small area in the semi dark and very dark at night to try and slow down egg production until it heals.- Bolfreak
- Post #3
- Forum: Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures
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Prolapse - possible injury too (GRAPHIC)
I had to read this in Monty Pythonese 😆 No chickens, but I do have a duck that’s prolapsed twice. I switched from All Flock to Layer because our water tested as leaching calcium. I also switched the type of free choice oyster shell to flaked, which everyone loves instead of the pebble kind. If...- Bolfreak
- Post #36
- Forum: Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures
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Skunks as predators?
I put all of my birds in at night and other than the occasional snake, nothing gets in. I have had trouble with my turkey hens laying in the woods and losing eggs by not finding them in time. Trail cam to the rescue: daytime egg loss of very fresh egg with a hole pecked in the shell was...- Bolfreak
- Post #11
- Forum: Predators and Pests
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Need advice for the best vines and plants for in a chicken run!
What zone are you in? That might help select plants that will grow well where you are. Looking at your run/fence it’s strong enough to maybe pot things in hanging baskets that will trail down and give them something to peck at without destroying the whole plant. Think upside down tomatoes...- Bolfreak
- Post #75
- Forum: Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance
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Anyone have Ancona/Swedish duck mix pictures?
Post pictures if you can! I love color genetics in my birds and it’s so hard to find detailed images from duckling to adult. I have a picture of my solid Splash girls (recently voice sexed them at 6.5 wks). They hatched from white eggs from my Blue drake x Lilac ducks. Pictured They are stunning...- Bolfreak
- Post #5
- Forum: What Breed Or Gender is This?
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Unusual Ancona Duck?
Ancona isn’t really a specific breed, it’s a color variety developed from other duck colors. So there isn’t really ‘pure’ or ‘mixed’ unless it’s a hybrid with Muscovy which are sterile. What you’re describing sounds like pencilling and can pop up in Anconas. He just got a very healthy dose of... -
Anyone have Ancona/Swedish duck mix pictures?
Lovely ducks! Anconas are Splash or Silver patterned ducks and your Swedes are Bibbed (looks like you have Blue and Black). Your Pekin (white) x Splash = Blue Bib White x Blue Bib = Black bib, Blue bib Your Black Bib x Splash = Blue Bib Black Bib x Blue Bib = Black Bib, Blue Bib You’re going...- Bolfreak
- Post #3
- Forum: What Breed Or Gender is This?
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Do cayuga ducklings ever have markings?
Cayuga ducklings can have a lighter chest color (not to be confused with a bright yellow that later becomes a Bib like Swedish ducks). They develop their juvenile beetle black fine. I’ve not noticed eye stripes in my ducklings, but tbh have never looked for them. Those are so faint it’s possible... -
Drake bullying and singling out a duck in his flock
Yeah, sounds like she’s unfortunately his ‘favorite’. I had to rehome a duck because the drake (that eventually went to freezer camp) was constantly chasing and her neck was bare. So even if you rehomed her, there’s a chance he could focus on someone else. Maybe try drake jail, just him locked...- Bolfreak
- Post #5
- Forum: Managing Your Flock
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Drake bullying and singling out a duck in his flock
Does she have a nest or is laying eggs? I have some drakes that micromanage the nest almost as bad as the broodies! If he’s chasing her IN constantly it’s probably his way of saying she shouldn’t be off the nest. How does she act? I have some girls that are laying and especially my broodies...- Bolfreak
- Post #3
- Forum: Managing Your Flock
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Got a sick duck
I thought eggbound as well until I read the swelling part: Considering her age, unfortunately you might be dealing with ascites or water belly. Not to be doomsday, but if that’s what it is, you need to consider how to keep her comfortable and be able to end her suffering before it gets bad... -
First duckling hatch of 2025!
I do have to sell them because Splash does not fit into my color project. I made an exception for the Blue Buff (their dad) and Lilac Cayuga (their mom), because eventually the dark colors will help me get a solid Black Crested, but Splash is too unpredictable. I’m happy they came out as Splash... -
First duckling hatch of 2025!
How are your babies doing? I wanted to post updated pics of the Splashes since I haven’t sold them yet. Older to newer, body pics were taken today. I think Moncloa (grey) is female, noisier than Legazpi (light yellow) or is a later developing female that can’t compete with Moncloa’s noise lol...