I haven't personally attended... but my neighbor who has chickens has gone to the swap held monthly in Westford, MA. I believe it is held on the first Sunday of the month.
http://www.neasociety.com/
When I was studying art we had an assignment to do a painting that was white on white. The instructor set-up a still life where all of the objects were white. White vase, white bowl, white table cloth, anything white she could fine. The purpose was to train students to see subtle differences...
I used to work on a sheep farm and we use to use this type of fencing to subdivide the major fields for rotation purposes. Canard is right, it can be awkward alone but it is doable. We found a way of rolling the fence when taking it down that made it easier to put back up next time. We did...
You could also consider a superyard. It is like a play pen but no bottom. You can put multiple together and circle them around to create a pen and when you aren't using it just folds up. I don't have ducks (yet) but we're using a superyard to protect the Xmas tree from our toddler. It comes...
Could you take pictures of what you create for your island? We'd enjoy seeing what you come up. Remember, failures are as educational as successes... but far more entertaining. We've learned a lot from each other, we could learn from what you're doing too. Also, consider video... I've...
1duckychick - I am also in MA and found the laws regarding pets on my town's website. For me it was under the Board of Health and a PDF file about keeping animals in the town. If you want to see the PDF of the laws in my town PM me and I'll send you the PDF file. See if your town has a...
I agree with everyone else. Go with your original plan because you've already given it great thought and considered what is best for your family. If you had wanted to adopt adult birds you could have considered that as an option before ordering your chicks. You're heart is big and I'd want to...
Wow, seeing as you found them in Ireland I don't know if my answer will help. Like Rainplace I think it is a pintail. There is an online website called whatbird.com where you can enter the information you know about a bird and it narrows down the list of what it could be. Currently the...
Is there such a thing as too pick heavy? I've really enjoyed listening and watching your experience. Do you think you'll be able to keep them in the same brooder until Dec? You have another 4 weeks and they already look huge.
Your set-up looks great. Is there a place for moisture to go to? Is it sloped or something so rain coming from the top can escape? Otherwise, it looks perfect to my inexperienced eyes.
I love the pic of the ducks & the dog.
Well done!
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I think the play sand will work. In fact, I asked that very question in another thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=268828) because I think I may go that route for my own duck pen. I still have a few un-answered questions regarding sand but it seems like it...
That's GREAT! Thanks so much for posting. I'm in Eastern, MA.
So, during the winter do you still rake the sand clean or do you put something on top of the sand and then just rake it out in spring? Have you found a use for the used sand? Do you have a truckload of sand delivered every year...
688peterl - Maybe there are products around you that we aren't familiar with that could work? We've mentioned stall dry, straw, sand, etc. Are there other materials native to England that we aren't thinking of?
What do folks with horses use in their stalls?
What about folks in the area with...
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Take it easy. Everyone on here is trying to help. I know these aren't the answers you wanted to hear but they are truthful. If you want to keep getting great feedback you have to be willing to hear the good and the bad. You obviously love your ducks and there IS a solution. We just...
I've been reading in the Coops & Run Design forum about using pea gravel or sand in runs. One concern I've seen raised is that sand gets very cold in winter and wouldn't be suitable for colder climates. The folks in that forum are concerned about chicken feet. I know ducks are more cold hardy...
Well, I'm going to test out the knowledge I've acquired on this forum thus far and venture to say you have boys. There is a muscovy thread where everyone is sharing pictures of their Muscovy flocks and yours has similar caruncles (red mask) to many of the folks on that forum. Also, if they...