Recent content by Tatum hills

  1. Tatum hills

    Mule ducks: how do you spot them and sex them?

    Thanks for your replies but there seems to be some confusion. I don't have a Muscovy drake, so I know none are pure muscovies but my question is: do the Muscovy x mallard quack or not? And if not how to you sex them? I know mules are sterile which is why I am trying to work out who's who as I...
  2. Tatum hills

    Mule ducks: how do you spot them and sex them?

    I have hatched my first ever lot of ducklings last October and I know 2 of the 8 will be mules as their dad is a mallard breed (crested drake) and mum is a Muscovy. I was told it'd be obvious who the mules are but not to me :( Six of the ducklings now make a definite QUACK, but 2 are larger than...
  3. Tatum hills

    2014 breeding season begins, post your results

    Thanks. We do have a dog, a blind rough coliie so not much of a guard dog but she foes bark a lot. Sleeps inside at night though. Her sent does help keep foxes away, I'm sure. Someone on another forum just suggested putting fence panels around the hens. I think I'd want to put a skirting around...
  4. Tatum hills

    2014 breeding season begins, post your results

    Sounds like they have a pretty good life at your place already! My best plan was to wait until they get up for a feed then put a large dog crate around them. Put the nest inside and hope they walk back in the crate to get to the nest then lock them in there at night for safety... But I gave a...
  5. Tatum hills

    2014 breeding season begins, post your results

    Thanks for all the info! I don't think we'd have the facilities to play musical peacocks here ... Though we have a time-share system for the chooks and the free ranging area :) but good to know they still lay once cooped up... We'll see how we go... The other option I was considering is to put a...
  6. Tatum hills

    2014 breeding season begins, post your results

    Thanks! So they don't get too upset about being locked up at breeding season? I am building a large pen just for that but since I'd like the to free range for the rest of the year I was worried they might be unhappy about suddenly finding themselves in a pen. Do you then let the boys out after...
  7. Tatum hills

    Young Peahen was setting...

    What do you do to avoid predators raking your hens while the are on the nests?
  8. Tatum hills

    2014 breeding season begins, post your results

    What does everyone do to keep their free ranging peahens safe from predators during breeding season? Last year my girl made it to 26 days, then we left for 2 nights and the first night we were gone aha was taken by a fox :( we now have a huge covered pen for the chickens so I am wondering if I...
  9. Tatum hills

    DIY automatic chicken coop door for under £10 ($20)

    Bump!! I need to build 4 so cheap is good. Pls tell us :)
  10. Tatum hills

    Massive sore under her wings

    Thank you. I am giving her antibiotic. Surprisingly, she doesn't seem sick at all. I know they are great at hiding it but her combos bright red. She is very lively and hungry. Hopefully she'll pull through. I'll give her a bit of a wash today but since we are going away I don't really want to...
  11. Tatum hills

    Massive sore under her wings

    To my horror I just discovered two massive sores under one of my hen's wings. I am pretty sure it's from the roister. I noticed her limping a few days ago and I put her in a cage on her own, kind of on bed rest and of course a break from the boy. Tonight I checked her over and she has massive...
  12. Tatum hills

    Adding young chickens and ducks to a flock with rooster?

    Hello, I have a small mixed flock with a rooster. They are all pretty peaceful but grew up together. One of my hens is currently raising 4 chicks. I have a few questions: 1. When should I re-introduce mum and her chicks to the flock? They are currently in a pen a couple if metres away. The main...
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