Recent content by DuckGirl77

She will take breaks sometimes. My ducks lay steadily until they take a break - usually during fall and winter. With no artificial lighting, I have not gotten a single duck egg all winter. I used to use a heat lamp, but even with the extra light, they took breaks as needed. But when they are...

We have a husky mix that chases all sorts of animals, including weasels. He has never caught one, but I've seen him chasing them and once cornered one. I have never had losses to a weasel - but I don't know if that's because of the dog or because the weasel is not interested in hunting during...

I just got rid of a family of rats - what a pain! They are pretty smart, and never fell for my havahart trap. I caught most in the big wooden rat traps with some peanut butter (out of the reach of dogs and chickens). If you know where the hole is, you can set the trap right outside, covered in a...

Welsh Harlequins are one of my favorite breeds, they are very friendly and as one of the lighter breeds, pretty healthy. Also, if you plan on breeding, welshies from certain hatcheries/breeders can be sexed by bill color as day old ducklings, which may be helpful. I have never kept Anconas, but...

Sounds like you have a nice setup for them. I keep my ducks with my hens currently, but am planning on moving them to their own coop this summer, since I've found some things work better for ducks vs. chickens. That being said, keeping them together has worked for us, and for the most part the...

Good to hear that she is otherwise alright. It certainly could be stress-related, so yogurt or ACV will help protect her immunity while she is stressed. Winter can be a bit difficult on them. Some straw or old bedding in the run may encourage them to go outside, but otherwise it's only a matter...

Top one looks a bit like a lash egg, which could be a sign of illness. I've gotten eggs like the bottom shell-less egg you have there when my birds are re-starting laying after a break. It could also be a sign of illness, stress, or insufficient calcium, depends on what other symptoms you are...

Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Free ranging is so healthy for them, and it does make them picky, but in a good way as they're more likely to choose what they need. Except the mud puddles - I have no idea what health benefit is there, but they do seem to enjoy them :sick If they like...

I am not sure what the underlying issue could be, but if you think she has an issue with digestion, you might give fermented feed a try. It's very good for digestion and overall health. I am fairly new to it myself, but there are many helpful threads and articles on this site, and it is not hard...

The small white and brown spot is a "meat spot," normal and safe to eat.

I do not know your setup, but excessive fighting may be a sign that they need more space. This is an interesting article that I found helpful with my chicks. It covers bringing chicks outside, even in cold temps, and may be something to consider...

I always leave it up to them. When it gets pretty cold mine seem to only use the water to preen themselves a bit and don't jump in. It gets into subzero temps pretty frequently here. But at 17 degrees, they wouldn't mind getting wet. I provide a 2 gal rubber feed bowl for water all winter since...

Sounds like a rough time for your flock. :hugs Sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once, if it's not one thing, then it's something else. Unfortunately many chickens do have health issues, especially hatchery stock. We had a pretty bad year with our Production Reds a few years ago. But...

If you kept two separate flocks, of each 1 rooster and 9 hens, that could work. But I would not keep all 20 together as the roosters will fight and gang up on the hens.

@EggSighted4Life I ended up switching from 16% --> 20% protein, and I'm happy to report my birds are all doing well with their higher protein food and seemed to prefer it over the 16% when I was making the switch. It's been several months, and their feathers look beautiful. :) I imagine my...