Recent content by jmoschner
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when and how to start free ranging Ducks?
Giving them treats or their evening meal inside or near their coop before bed time often helps. Keeping a routine helps. Once you get a routine established they will put themselves to bed most of the time. -
Vent sexing duckling??
Injury is possible, though the risk is minimal with an experienced sexer (not sure if that's a real term). Minimum age is 1 day old. You want to sex them within the first few days after hatching. Here is a video from Metzer Farms on sexing ducklings: And another video on sexing: -
Messy ducks
Healthy adult ducks can do fine in sub-freezing weather. Just make sure they have adequate drinking water and food. You may want to add feed with a slightly higher fat content or energy density to help them through the cold. If you are supplying their water, make sure it doesn't freeze. Provide... -
Ducks don't trust me.
Keep your hand flat, palm up. Tilt your hand so the palm is at about a 30 degree angle with the fingers toward the ground. This will give a better platform for them to grab the food. Talk to them as much as you can in a soothing voice, not just when you feed them. Approach them slowly and... -
A less messy brooder?
Play sand. It has been okay. Easy to scoop out and replace if it gets too damp or food or feces makes it through the liner. Shavings, pellets, or other absorbent litter material would probably work better for more ducks or if they are in there more often. If our ducks were messier sand wouldn't... -
A less messy brooder?
Thanks. You can always try using something like hem tape (https://www.joann.com/dritz-stitch-witchery-regular-tape-5-8inx20yd/1051572.html#start=1) for simple sewing tasks without the needle and thread. In this case you can probably just use a shower curtain and zip ties/clips. -
A less messy brooder?
We did something like that for our ducklings (see attached pic). I stitched together a covering for the back and sides that uses velcro straps to attach to the cage. There is another matching cloth that can cover the front if need be (I used it once). The flooring is sand and shelf liner. Their... -
Ducks to water.
My only concerns would be: -making sure the muck plus other food you give them provides adequate nutrition (including vitamins and minerals) -making sure you're not over harvesting the area -making sure to avoid accidentally grabbing something toxic to ducks -
Nicest Breed of Duck
This. I've encountered wild ducks that are friendlier than some pet ducks., while the friendliest duck I've ever encountered was a random mutt (also some of the friendliest cats and dogs I've ever known were also mutts). Breed wise, Welsh Harlequins are fairly clam and tolerant (I love mine)... -
Is change linked with trust?
Observation of the ducks where we last lived. There was this one wild mallard lady who hated hearing one of the neighbors talking. Whenever the woman talked the hen would hiss at her or quack loudly. If the neighbor was quiet, the duck would be quiet. It was nice because it kept the annoying... -
Is change linked with trust?
I'm slowly working on an Article on the whole ducks hating their owners thing as it seems to come up quite a lot. It is kind of complicated, but the biggest factors are the breed of duck, the individual duck's personality, and how you interact with the duck. Below is a brief take on why they... -
Blue-Black Swedish
There is an 14mo old Black Swedish in the neighborhood that comes around from time to time. She is very sweet and eats out of my hand. As a duckling she was rather quiet. Now she is very loud and energetic. You can find reviews for Blue Swedish here... -
Mosquito control?
Ducks will often eat mosquito larva and pupae, bot not always. Individual ducks will often eat different things. Dumping out standing water is good. Just make sure your ducks have the water they need. Be aware that it may not be water on your property where the mosquitoes are breeding... -
My Ducks are Nocturnal?
Don't be worried, they are just being ducks. Ducks are partially Nocturnal. They will be up and down throughout the night. Ducks have excellent night vision. They even have an extra set of cones which allows them to see into the ultraviolet part of the spectrum. If you want them to stay in... -
Duck taste and smell
Movement and sound will get the ducks' attention, such as dangling a worm or tossing out a treat. Shape and color are the first things ducks notice about the treat itself. Upon seeing a new type of treat, most ducks will give it a taste and spit it out if they don't like it. They may taste and...