2018 Newbie Chat!

[Anna Ranieri]

I’m so pleased and excited I have to share.
I interviewed for a job I really wanted on Friday and they called today and offered it to me!!
This is a full time, Monday-Friday day shift position with great benefits and pay.
I’ll get all the holidays and vacation/sick leave.
This is a tremendous blessing for us as it will improve our quality of life.
The only drawback is that I probably won’t see my birds during winter except on weekends.
Thankfully it doesn’t last too long.

Congratulations well done

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I posted a thread this morning because the chick has been doing something strange.
She starts frantically chirping and jumps around like somebody’s biting her but then she starts biting her own foot.
I’ve picked her up and examined her but I really don’t see anything that should cause her distress.
Sometimes she’s got a bit of wetness from stepping in the water and tiny bits of pine bedding.
I don’t know

She only does that occasionally but I’ve seen it enough to post about it and see if anyone knows anything.

Mom and baby are doing really well.

I’ve decided to name the baby Winter.
It’s a name that’ll work whether it’s a pullet or cockerel and fits because it was hatched Nov. 29.

Little Winter is now starting to grow wing feathers!
I took some cute pictures.

Look at that skinny naked neck!
You can see her wing feathers coming in here too.
View attachment 1608306

What’s that strange rectangle you keep pointing at me?
View attachment 1608308

Peekaboo!
View attachment 1608309

It’s so nice to be able to warm up and get a snack at the same time
View attachment 1608310

View attachment 1608316

Great pictures, hope you soon find out if there's anything wrong - hope all is well

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Because of the continued complaint investigations, we have been
banned from making any further alterations or adjustments on or in the property so cannot expand the run, nor can divide the garden as was our plan to have ducks one side, chickens the other, to protect the chickens when the boys reached sexual maturity. The boys have reached sexual maturity they are fine with us and are as they have always been but they have become vicious towards the chickens. Pedro was taking a drink out of one of their pools, all four crept up behind her, surrounded her and started biting her, they had her trapped, she couldn't go forward bcos of the pool couldn't go to the side nor backward as she had each duck hen either side of her and the two boys behind her, I was there so it lasted only as long as it took me to get to them which was seconds. They did the same to Roo, tried to with Lilah but she pecks them so they are scared of her and run off, then a couple of days ago as I was busy filling their water dishes, the two drakes managed to corner Jellybean they both were biting her then one drake began to mount her but I was able to stop him before he had the chance to do so but from what I saw my belief is that both would have bred her if they had the chance to. They haven't tried to do so since but they are picking on her relentlessly. We don't leave them unattended and when we are indoors i.e. having lunch, we put the chickens in the run and left the ducks in the garden. We can't leave the ducks in the run bcos without the planned extension it is too small, plus their pools are in the garden, so its the chickens who have to be put in the run, which isn't fair on them as they have done nothing wrong. So after much discussion we have decided that without the extension, renovations and dividing of the garden, we have no option but to re-home the ducks for the safety and welfare of our chickens. We have a place for them with a guy who takes in unwanted and rescue ducks - he has a stream run through his property which they all swim on, he has several dogs running around during the day which guard against foxes and he has a great big barn which he locks them in for the night. I am worried and scared they will get bullied by the other ducks, I am worried and scared they'll get hurt or killed, I am worried other drakes will fight my boys for the girls, I'm just worried completely. I've asked for regular updates and I've asked for pictures at least a couple of times a year, which has been agreed. I don't know if they will allow visits in the future as they are not an open farm, park or petting zoo they are just ordinary people who love ducks so, I need to ask about that. They are a 3 hour drive away and my daughters ex has agreed to drive them there with my daughter (I'm too weepy and wouldn't be able to handle it so I'll stay home with my grandson) we are just waiting on our next pay check to be able to pay petrol and to make a donation to the rescue people, so my beloved ducks will be gone within the next week or two. We have been offered a place for our chickens but I'm not handing them over to anyone unless or until a court orders me to and so far all has gone quiet yet again. My mum rang the boss of the guy who came to mine and had a go at him telling him she is appalled at the way this has been handled, she also had a go at him for not contacting her and my dad at all and has demanded a meeting with the guy I had a meeting with, she was told they would get him to ring her to arrange a meeting but she still hasn't heard anything yet. I am still at praying I will at least get to keep my girls.

 

[CannedMonster]

Because of the continued complaint investigations, we have been
banned from making any further alterations or adjustments on or in the property so cannot expand the run, nor can divide the garden as was our plan to have ducks one side, chickens the other, to protect the chickens when the boys reached sexual maturity. The boys have reached sexual maturity they are fine with us and are as they have always been but they have become vicious towards the chickens. Pedro was taking a drink out of one of their pools, all four crept up behind her, surrounded her and started biting her, they had her trapped, she couldn't go forward bcos of the pool couldn't go to the side nor backward as she had each duck hen either side of her and the two boys behind her, I was there so it lasted only as long as it took me to get to them which was seconds. They did the same to Roo, tried to with Lilah but she pecks them so they are scared of her and run off, then a couple of days ago as I was busy filling their water dishes, the two drakes managed to corner Jellybean they both were biting her then one drake began to mount her but I was able to stop him before he had the chance to do so but from what I saw my belief is that both would have bred her if they had the chance to. They haven't tried to do so since but they are picking on her relentlessly. We don't leave them unattended and when we are indoors i.e. having lunch, we put the chickens in the run and left the ducks in the garden. We can't leave the ducks in the run bcos without the planned extension it is too small, plus their pools are in the garden, so its the chickens who have to be put in the run, which isn't fair on them as they have done nothing wrong. So after much discussion we have decided that without the extension, renovations and dividing of the garden, we have no option but to re-home the ducks for the safety and welfare of our chickens. We have a place for them with a guy who takes in unwanted and rescue ducks - he has a stream run through his property which they all swim on, he has several dogs running around during the day which guard against foxes and he has a great big barn which he locks them in for the night. I am worried and scared they will get bullied by the other ducks, I am worried and scared they'll get hurt or killed, I am worried other drakes will fight my boys for the girls, I'm just worried completely. I've asked for regular updates and I've asked for pictures at least a couple of times a year, which has been agreed. I don't know if they will allow visits in the future as they are not an open farm, park or petting zoo they are just ordinary people who love ducks so, I need to ask about that. They are a 3 hour drive away and my daughters ex has agreed to drive them there with my daughter (I'm too weepy and wouldn't be able to handle it so I'll stay home with my grandson) we are just waiting on our next pay check to be able to pay petrol and to make a donation to the rescue people, so my beloved ducks will be gone within the next week or two. We have been offered a place for our chickens but I'm not handing them over to anyone unless or until a court orders me to and so far all has gone quiet yet again. My mum rang the boss of the guy who came to mine and had a go at him telling him she is appalled at the way this has been handled, she also had a go at him for not contacting her and my dad at all and has demanded a meeting with the guy I had a meeting with, she was told they would get him to ring her to arrange a meeting but she still hasn't heard anything yet. I am still at praying I will at least get to keep my girls.

I’m sorry it has come to this.
Don’t worry about the ducks.
If the person on the farm has at least 3-4 females for each male it should work out.
The boys may actually end up happier and the girls won’t get overmated.
I’ve heard male ducks can kill chickens trying to breed them so it’s probably for the best in that regard.
And now you will be able to let the hens have the run of the garden hopefully.
I wish I could make it easier for you somehow!
I told my husband if I ever couldn’t have chickens anymore I’d switch to budgies lol.
I just like little birdies and I need to have something to nurture in my life!

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Because of the continued complaint investigations, we have been
banned from making any further alterations or adjustments on or in the property so cannot expand the run, nor can divide the garden as was our plan to have ducks one side, chickens the other, to protect the chickens when the boys reached sexual maturity. The boys have reached sexual maturity they are fine with us and are as they have always been but they have become vicious towards the chickens. Pedro was taking a drink out of one of their pools, all four crept up behind her, surrounded her and started biting her, they had her trapped, she couldn't go forward bcos of the pool couldn't go to the side nor backward as she had each duck hen either side of her and the two boys behind her, I was there so it lasted only as long as it took me to get to them which was seconds. They did the same to Roo, tried to with Lilah but she pecks them so they are scared of her and run off, then a couple of days ago as I was busy filling their water dishes, the two drakes managed to corner Jellybean they both were biting her then one drake began to mount her but I was able to stop him before he had the chance to do so but from what I saw my belief is that both would have bred her if they had the chance to. They haven't tried to do so since but they are picking on her relentlessly. We don't leave them unattended and when we are indoors i.e. having lunch, we put the chickens in the run and left the ducks in the garden. We can't leave the ducks in the run bcos without the planned extension it is too small, plus their pools are in the garden, so its the chickens who have to be put in the run, which isn't fair on them as they have done nothing wrong. So after much discussion we have decided that without the extension, renovations and dividing of the garden, we have no option but to re-home the ducks for the safety and welfare of our chickens. We have a place for them with a guy who takes in unwanted and rescue ducks - he has a stream run through his property which they all swim on, he has several dogs running around during the day which guard against foxes and he has a great big barn which he locks them in for the night. I am worried and scared they will get bullied by the other ducks, I am worried and scared they'll get hurt or killed, I am worried other drakes will fight my boys for the girls, I'm just worried completely. I've asked for regular updates and I've asked for pictures at least a couple of times a year, which has been agreed. I don't know if they will allow visits in the future as they are not an open farm, park or petting zoo they are just ordinary people who love ducks so, I need to ask about that. They are a 3 hour drive away and my daughters ex has agreed to drive them there with my daughter (I'm too weepy and wouldn't be able to handle it so I'll stay home with my grandson) we are just waiting on our next pay check to be able to pay petrol and to make a donation to the rescue people, so my beloved ducks will be gone within the next week or two. We have been offered a place for our chickens but I'm not handing them over to anyone unless or until a court orders me to and so far all has gone quiet yet again. My mum rang the boss of the guy who came to mine and had a go at him telling him she is appalled at the way this has been handled, she also had a go at him for not contacting her and my dad at all and has demanded a meeting with the guy I had a meeting with, she was told they would get him to ring her to arrange a meeting but she still hasn't heard anything yet. I am still at praying I will at least get to keep my girls.

I'm so sorry you have to rehome your ducks. My daughter had to rehome her cockerel who was supposed to be a pullet because we can't have roos. She found a lovely farm where he has 10 hens to himself! She gets updates, and he became a father a few months ago. It will be lovely to get updates and see how they're doing. They will love having a stream to swim in. It sounds like the people you are giving them to are very familiar with ducks so I'd think they'll watch for untoward aggression against them.

I know the sorrow of losing them is great and I feel terrible for you.

Maybe you and your chickens will be left alone when they see you've downsized. I sure hope so.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

I’m sorry it has come to this.
Don’t worry about the ducks.
If the person on the farm has at least 3-4 females for each male it should work out.
The boys may actually end up happier and the girls won’t get overmated.
I’ve heard male ducks can kill chickens trying to breed them so it’s probably for the best in that regard.
And now you will be able to let the hens have the run of the garden hopefully.
I wish I could make it easier for you somehow!
I told my husband if I ever couldn’t have chickens anymore I’d switch to budgies lol.
I just like little birdies and I need to have something to nurture in my life!

We had a little parrotlet for some years. She was fun! She would perch on the top of my laptop screen and watch what I was doing. They're about the size of a budgie but chubbier.
https://www.petmd.com/bird/care/meet-parrotlets-large-parrot-packed-mini-body

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I'm so sorry you have to rehome your ducks. My daughter had to rehome her cockerel who was supposed to be a pullet because we can't have roos. She found a lovely farm where he has 10 hens to himself! She gets updates, and he became a father a few months ago. It will be lovely to get updates and see how they're doing. They will love having a stream to swim in. It sounds like the people you are giving them to are very familiar with ducks so I'd think they'll watch for untoward aggression against them.

I know the sorrow of losing them is great and I feel terrible for you.

Maybe you and your chickens will be left alone when they see you've downsized. I sure hope so.

Thank you so much for your kind words, your care, understanding and support and for sharing with me this wonderful success story about your daughter's cockerel, I'm so glad it turned out well for your daughter and her cockerel, helps to make me feel better.
You are right about the people, they'll take great care of them and I need to remember that, its just so hard even though I know in my heart I am doing the right thing.
I am hoping they will allow visits, would be nice to be able to see them again, however I am very thankful that they will be giving me updates.

 

[CannedMonster]

We had a little parrotlet for some years. She was fun! She would perch on the top of my laptop screen and watch what I was doing. They're about the size of a budgie but chubbier.
https://www.petmd.com/bird/care/meet-parrotlets-large-parrot-packed-mini-body

Thank you for sharing that.
I often consider budgies because I know they’re not terribly noisy.
I have shied away from considering parrots or cockatiels because of the noise level.
Both my husband and I have a very difficult time with the screeching and squawking cockatiels and larger parrots are capable of.
Are parrotlets relatively quiet as compared to other caged birds?

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Thank you for sharing that.
I often consider budgies because I know they’re not terribly noisy.
I have shied away from considering parrots or cockatiels because of the noise level.
Both my husband and I have a very difficult time with the screeching and squawking cockatiels and larger parrots are capable of.
Are parrotlets relatively quiet as compared to other caged birds?

They're not loud like big parrots. They can be taught to say a few words but aren't big talkers like the larger parrots either. They're more expensive than parakeets or budgies though.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Here in the Great PNW winter has finally arrived. I live in a valley surrounded by large mountains and the Columbia River. The wind chills have been frigid. Tomorrow the rain starts (it likely won’t end until May). So for the last few days I’ve been free ranging all day. I moved my Littles in their A frame coop next to the big one to start introductions. I’m going to take introductions really slow this time around. Here’s some pictures from yesterday.