Recent content by Ronnie_
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How Cold is To Cold?
Thank you, I do not give them food/water overnight in their house. During the day the have access to it in their covered enclosure (which is currently has 3/4 sides wrapped in greenhouse plastic to block wind. Unwrapped side faces the house so, not much wind hits it. I think I’m just worried... -
How Cold is To Cold?
Genuinely not sure what’s considered too cold for ducks? I’m in zone 6B and it’s gonna drop to 8F tonight (likely colder with windchill). They get locked into their duck house overnight, (Khaki Campbell and Cayuga) which is full of pine shavings and chopped straw. (House is made of OSB and... -
New Tarp - Ducks Hate it - Help
I was winterizing my coop:enclosure this past weekend and replaced the tarp that covers the top of the enclosure as it was really weathered and falling apart to a new tarp. (Blue tarp to a gray one) and put up windblocking plastic sheeting on 1 side of the enclosure. My girls as mad. Both are... -
Summer enclosure updates
Thank you! Still going strong! My gals don’t seem interested besides digging in the mulch/soil. Now if I put down peas and cilantro a whole different story haha -
Summer enclosure updates
I am attempting to grow some duck friendly plants inside my enclosure this year to offer more enrichment to my ladies. I put in a garden bed today including oregano, lavender, and French marigolds. If it goes well I’ll add sage. I also have boxes of various mint outside their reach. Hopefully... -
Winterizing Coop and Enclosure Tips
We have only had 2 relatively cold Snaps so far, for those the girls were in the garage overnight for a day or two. I ended up not insulating with foam, but using lots of straw and putting in a sterlite container on its side stuffed with straw. That and wind blocking thick greenhouse plastic... -
runner duck - cough or hiccups? aspergillosis?
Coughing is usually associated with Gapeworm which won’t show up in a fecal float/poop as it lives in lungs/trachea area. Ducks can pick up gapeworm from eating earthworms and snails. Typically they’ll cough a lot, and have their mouth open constantly “gaping” once the parasite load is high... -
Ducks First Snow and Prep Question
I ended up being my girls in tonight for the weekend. They are not a fan of their boring garage set up, but plus side is I can let them play in the tub and have “pool time” this weekend and I don’t have to worry about them freezing in it 😃 -
Ducks First Snow and Prep Question
Mine did well overnight as well, about same temps as you over here! I think I might have to put them up in my garage duck playpen (4 foot high metal dog play pen in a square with a tarp under it) this weekend as Saturday is supposed to be 12 degrees and most likely lower with windchill. They’ll... -
Ducks First Snow and Prep Question
Here’s my set up (new bedding today) I have 4” of pine flakes and then a few inches of straw hopefully it’s enough! -
Possible Wet Feather
I do have a surplus of 5 dozen duck eggs, so that would be a good use lol - Maybe she is molting as she was laying daily and stopped 2 days ago and is using energy to grow new feathers. (Which for a Cayuga she’s laid daily since May - I think she’s trying to keep up with her Campbell Sisters)... -
Possible Wet Feather
@Jenbirdee and @casportpony i checked her gland, you can definitely feel her glad (I’m assuming it’s supposed to be raised- almost like a chickpea size? I’m not sure how I’d diagnose if it’s clogged) I massaged it and had an oil on my finger. I checked her armpits and didn’t see any lice. I was... -
Possible Wet Feather
Here’s my gal Toast, she’s only dunked her head in water so far before this pics. I placed her in the water afterward, and she is preening. @casportpony and @Jenbirdee I’ll be going out shortly to grab her with my husband to get a better look under her wings/armpit for anything as she’s picky... -
Possible Wet Feather
Here’s my gal Toast, she’s only dunked her head in water so far before this pics. I placed her in the water afterward, and she is preening. @casportpony and @Jenbirdee I’ll be going out shortly to grab her with my husband to get a better look under her wings/armpit for anything as she’s picky... -
Possible Wet Feather
Thank you! How would I locate the oil glad on her tail end? I’m guessing it further up from the vent/cloaca on the skin, so I just feel around until I hopefully get oily fingers?