Recent content by Papaye

  1. Papaye

    Spotted Dusky - Indian Runner ducks

    Hi. I will try taking good enough pictures to post them... ...BUT we first have to wait for the sun to show itself, and in France, it has honestly become something rare... (Because, you know, "chemtrails"...!) Indian Runners are good ducks : • prolific layers; • light weight; • funny to look...
  2. Papaye

    Spotted Dusky - Indian Runner ducks

    Hi. Yeeeeah... I just love him - oh my God...! ...To be honest, your boy is, in fact, one of my favorite ducks here on Backyard Chickens. (I won't pretend he IS my favorite, since I don't have A specific favorite : I just can't choose ONE...!!) I think that blue wing speculums just look the...
  3. Papaye

    Spotted Dusky - Indian Runner ducks

    Hi. They are, right?! Not the same, but there are ducks that are Mallard AND Dusky patterned, and that thus can look like Dusky ducks with blue wing speculums...! Here is such a drake : He looks like a Dark Dusky coloured Indian Runner drake, but with BLUE wing speculums... because he is...
  4. Papaye

    Spotted Dusky - Indian Runner ducks

    Hi! I am sharing pictures of Spotted Dusky coloured Indian Runner ducks, so to show people what they look like...!! • • • • • • FOR INFORMATION : What does "Spotted Dusky" mean, exactly...? "Spotted Dusky" is, in fact : a Dusky patterned plumage in Light phase AND in Harlequin phase...
  5. Papaye

    Help! Injured Duck Bill

    Hi. You REALLY don't have to worry about it... ...BUT, if you still want to help anyway - given the wound is so small : you can just put 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar per liter of water, into a PLASTIC waterer. (Just for 24-36 hours...) ...Good luck!
  6. Papaye

    calcium in feed

    Yes, blown away! ...Or wait... is my English actually correct here? In any case, Indian Runners are particularly prone to be carried off by the wind... ...and I had one that had even learned to fly because of that, and was thus happy to fly over the fence during mating season if I separated...
  7. Papaye

    calcium in feed

    Hi. Do you mix the pellets with something else? It is recommended to do so, BUT : do avoid - as much as possible - feeding corn to your ducks...! In fact : what do you feed your ducks, EXACTLY? Also : do they have an unlimited access to their food - including at night? And : do they...
  8. Papaye

    suburban homesteading question: how to replace layer ducks?

    Hi. And I will add that local farmers' animals actually tend to have BETTER genetic, and are thus generally much healthier... (Again : I don't know for America, but I would surprised if it was not the same there...!)
  9. Papaye

    Integrating new ducks (more new than old)

    Hi. You are welcome! If your ducks - especially your drakes - don't get along when you eventually put them together : what you can do is letting them freerange during the days at first, but keeping them separated during the nights - at least UNTIL they get sufficiently along (so to be sure...
  10. Papaye

    Freezing weather and ducks?

    Hi. Ugh... -11 °F... Are the temperatures going to get colder where you live? And is there wind too...? No, I would NOT. Honestly, I don't have temperatures as cold as yours where I live, but if I did, I would not change anything from what I am already doing. Meaning that I would : • 1 ...
  11. Papaye

    suburban homesteading question: how to replace layer ducks?

    Hi. What you are doing is fine, and coherent with your purpose - not "fishy"...! Actually, there are people that keep animals (to feed them) who do the same as you : they do keep their females, but end up replacing the males so to avoid inbreeding AND save money. Buying whole flocks to...
  12. Papaye

    Integrating new ducks (more new than old)

    Hi. What the...? Do you think they were mistaken, or just knowingly lying to you...? (That's a shame : 8 hens for 3 drakes could have worked...) Do keep the two groups separated for 1 month - IDEALLY - before letting all of your ducks freerange and sleep together. During the transition...
  13. Papaye

    Dark Brahma hens - Why do their colours appear different?

    I didn't know that, but after searching about it, I can see you are right. I'll keep it in mind, and will thus think to take notes of my Brahma chickens' weight to see if it applies to my flock too. (Which would be interesting to know for meat production!) Thank you for the information!
  14. Papaye

    Integrating new ducks (more new than old)

    Hi. Not sure if it is "much better"...? 2 hens for 2 drakes can work... IF the drakes are bonded at least! Even 7 hens for 3 drakes might work, even though you would need to monitor them VERY carefully during mating season (and probably separate them mid-season)... ...But only 7 hens for 4...
  15. Papaye

    Why is my duck on her back?

    Hi. Does she look and sound fine to you? If so : she probably had just fallen on her back because of her - or her friends' - clumsiness. It can happen sometimes... If your girl looked to have been lying on her back for a while, my guess is that she had difficulties getting back on her feet...
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