We did it! We built a run/pond for our spoiled ducks. They have been real, outdoor ducks for two whole weeks! Look how happy and dirty they are!
The transition outside was rough, mainly for me. Every half hour I was outside at night checking on them. They slept peacefully through the night and I was the one pulling my feathers out!
We're confident that its safe and secure, I think we covered every possible attack. I know that my boyfriend was quite aggravated with how many lines of defense that I wanted. I told him that if something ate my babies he would have to find a new place to live. I think he then realized how serious I was about building this right. Here's the almost finished product. I still want to get electric wire, motion lights and what ever else I can find.
They are having just a blast in their new pond as well. They swim for hours now, chasing fish and teasing the hawks above.
It seems that the adventure ducks are settling in nicely, and that Jake wants to be a mama duck! I found her nest hidden in some bushes. Unfortunately, it's not within the run. There are four eggs in it so far and I would like to move it into their run. Any tips on how to move it so that Jake can try and hatch some cuties out?
Should I wait until she's satisfied with the number and starts sitting? Right now she just runs to it in the morning when I let her out. She'll sit on it for an hour or so while the other two destroy my tomato plants. Then she'll join them in the fun. She seems to be laying an egg every other day so far.
I would really like to give her the chance to safely hatch out some more white mallards beauties. Advice would be wonderful! Thank you.
The transition outside was rough, mainly for me. Every half hour I was outside at night checking on them. They slept peacefully through the night and I was the one pulling my feathers out!
We're confident that its safe and secure, I think we covered every possible attack. I know that my boyfriend was quite aggravated with how many lines of defense that I wanted. I told him that if something ate my babies he would have to find a new place to live. I think he then realized how serious I was about building this right. Here's the almost finished product. I still want to get electric wire, motion lights and what ever else I can find.
They are having just a blast in their new pond as well. They swim for hours now, chasing fish and teasing the hawks above.
It seems that the adventure ducks are settling in nicely, and that Jake wants to be a mama duck! I found her nest hidden in some bushes. Unfortunately, it's not within the run. There are four eggs in it so far and I would like to move it into their run. Any tips on how to move it so that Jake can try and hatch some cuties out?
Should I wait until she's satisfied with the number and starts sitting? Right now she just runs to it in the morning when I let her out. She'll sit on it for an hour or so while the other two destroy my tomato plants. Then she'll join them in the fun. She seems to be laying an egg every other day so far.
I would really like to give her the chance to safely hatch out some more white mallards beauties. Advice would be wonderful! Thank you.
