I like having a mixed flock. There are so many cool breeds that each have their own unique traits. Some are extra cold hardy, some lay blue eggs, some are more docile, some are bomb egg layers. I want a few of each to the get the best of all worlds :D plus I like being able to tell my birds...
When you keep the old tires from your car laying around for over a year because you know you will eventually turn them into dust baths when you stop procrastinating and re-do the coop and run, which I finally did :D
Whatever you feed them, make sure it's not medicated feed. Ducks can't handle medicated feed like chickens can. When I had ducks, I fed them Dumor brand because it was the only non-medicated feed around I could find.
I use a bucket with water nipples, but in the winter have to switch to a heated water bowl because the nipples freeze over even with a heater in the bucket.
I love buying in bulk (savings!) But hate lifting them. It can be quite a struggle to lift something that weighs half as much as you do, but I manage ok. I don't like asking for help at the feed stores. I may be small but it's good exercise :D
Glad you talked it over with the neighbor, it's a sensible first step. Hopefully now they will know to keep their dog on their property. I think it would be a good idea to keep the birds confined for a couple more weeks to make sure the dog doesn't keep coming. And if you think they will jump...
Ducks got me started too. Four years ago, my SO's aunt was getting rid of her two ducks, and I had always wanted a duck. So we took them and I named them Potato and Waffles. Then I discovered mail order ducklings, and since I got my ducklings, it was only fair he got the chickens he's always...
My SO and I keep them mostly for eggs, but sometimes for meat. We have a system. We raise chicks every year. The female birds that tame up and become friendly get named and kept for eggs and become lifers even after they stop laying. The birds that are males or don't tame up don't get names and...
That would be a good plan too, but we haven't had the best luck with our incubators. Twice we've put about two dozen duck eggs in them and each time only two eggs made it to hatch. The broody mallards had much better success and hatched all seven of their eggs. So I feel like the birds...
Thanks! I've never ordered birds from them before, but I've heard it's one of the better hatcheries. I planned on ordering chicks from them next year.
I really hope she is broody. I was under the impression that brahama don't often go broody, but maybe I'm mistaken. She's a special bird to...
Hello all! I have a question and I'm hoping this is the right thread for it. I have a year old Brahma hen that may be going broody. I've had chickens for two years now and never had one go broody before, so I'm not completely sure she is. Last night, instead of roosting, she sat in the nesting...
I made dust baths for my chickens out of old tires from my car. My brother helped me paint them a couple weeks ago before he deployed. I filled them up yesterday and the birds went crazy for them.
I had a duckling that looks exactly like yours, except her feet were mottled. She was either mallard/Pekin or mallard/Cayuga (still not sure who was the mom). Here she is as a duckling and as an adult.