The last few days, they have not been roaming about or eating bugs. We did just have a weather change, so I thought it was that. But now today, they didn't drink much water (they are not panting) and did not eat all their food. I feed them pellets and corn. We are just finishing up a bag of feeder pellets and just bought a bag of layer pellets. Last night was the first that I backed off on the feeder and put in some layer, to make a gradual change.
Like I asked in another post, is it normal this time of year for ducks to lose a lot of feathers and change color? I have one brown one that was really pretty, but now most of his chest is a dusty grey color in splotchy spots. I keep forgetting to take my camera out with me, so I don't have pictures.
I've been changing their pool every evening as it works best with my schedule to do it then; I will start trying to remember to change it in the mornings instead though. I've never really cleaned their pool; I've been afraid they would get sick from the chemicals. I've just spayed it out well with a high pressure water hose. My husband says to use bleach, and that the bleach will dissipate so they wouldn't get sick from it. Is that safe to use? Is there a better way?
I don't supplement anything in their feed. They have access to gravel and every couple days they have spent time there. Even though they haven't been very active the last couple days as far as 'grazing', they have been doing more practicing flying. Do I need to be concerned about them flying off? Could they be sick, or could it just be the change in weather and feed? Sorry for all the questions. I thought maybe some one here could help.
Like I asked in another post, is it normal this time of year for ducks to lose a lot of feathers and change color? I have one brown one that was really pretty, but now most of his chest is a dusty grey color in splotchy spots. I keep forgetting to take my camera out with me, so I don't have pictures.
I've been changing their pool every evening as it works best with my schedule to do it then; I will start trying to remember to change it in the mornings instead though. I've never really cleaned their pool; I've been afraid they would get sick from the chemicals. I've just spayed it out well with a high pressure water hose. My husband says to use bleach, and that the bleach will dissipate so they wouldn't get sick from it. Is that safe to use? Is there a better way?
I don't supplement anything in their feed. They have access to gravel and every couple days they have spent time there. Even though they haven't been very active the last couple days as far as 'grazing', they have been doing more practicing flying. Do I need to be concerned about them flying off? Could they be sick, or could it just be the change in weather and feed? Sorry for all the questions. I thought maybe some one here could help.
