Our runner ducks are very quiet compared to our last rooster. They don't crow at 4:45am every day, and they don't attack people in the yard. They do make some noise, but nowhere near as loud or as often. (They also put my chickens to shame when it comes to egg-laying, especially this time of year)
Runners aren't that bad as far as ducks go. The females can be loud but mostly when they want something from you. They are very messy though. 10 chickens in a stinky mud fight would be a more accurate description.
I used a 12 gauge shotgun to put down one of my favorite laying hens after a dog attack not to long ago. I took the shot less than 10 feet away where the spread was maybe 2 or 3 inches wide (easy shot). She died quickly, (although I hate all the flopping around chickens do) and I didn't have to...
1. You might need to secure it better than putting it on the ground as many predators will dig under with no problem. Maybe bury some wire or something.
2. Wood shavings will probably be fine. I like straw. Either way they'll manage to turn it into a muddy mess.
3. Just make sure you change...
I have both chickens and ducks and feed both 20% protein multi-use pellets. I switched to a higher protein feed for the ducks when I found out their needs were different, but the chickens seem to do well on it to. I know during a molt extra protein is a good thing and I haven't heard any...
Quote:
First of all, higher taxes and social programs don't create third world countries. These things are more common to western, industrialized nations for a reason. What would be considered poverty in this country would, by many countries standards, be considered middle class at worst. I...
I'm happy for all of you that you can make it without gov. assistance and I realize there are a lot of people abusing the system, but.....Without social programs like unemployment and welfare large portions of this country would be third world at best. A lot of people really do use the...
20 years with no critters! I don't think we've gone 20 days without seeing a raccoon here. Even had one climb into the coop in the middle of the day! Luckily I happened to be close by and nobody was hurt. (Except the racoon!)
I've always wanted to visit New Zealand. Recently my significant other and I were looking into WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) It's a work exchange program for room and board, I was wondering if you've heard of it. We know someone here who did it and had a great time. Welcome to BYC!
Our chicken will wait at the front door (for treats presumably) and if it gets left open they will make themselves right at home. I came home one day to my rooster and one of his hens perched on the back of the couch! He even crowed at me when I came in.
I've been homebrewing for about a year now, in that time I've only bought beer from the store once or twice. I've got an irish stout that needs to be bottled asap and I'm starting a pale ale with some of my own hops after that.
We have the spanish rosetta stone, it's awesome. I found it's much more natural to learn grammer through the immersion process then to spend time studying and memorizing. I would recommend it to anyone serious about learning a new language. (I do mean serious, this program is not cheap!)
I think everyone who eats meat should have to experience butchering an animal. It's the reality of what it is. If you can't do it, maybe consider vegetarianism.
I agree, if released those breeds would be coon food. We had mallards that flew off in the winter when I was young, but I think we only had one that ever returned.