baby duck with lots of problems

[pattyhen]

Are hawks more active in the Fall and that's why you guys have been seeing them?

My ducks are used to getting closed in their coop at dusk. So...here soon they'll be in at 5 in the evening and I get out there in the morning at 4:45. Will they be okay literally cooped up for 12 hours a day? Actually, now that I"m thinking about it, I don't get home from work until 5 so guess I'll visit with them right when I get home and then put them in the coop.

Patty, what kind of dog is Ozzie? Yep, my memory is bad.

The hawks are a lot worse in the fall. There is a lot more of them plus they seem to be in the hunting mode. They are sweeping down and trying their best to get a meal.

Your ducks should be fine cooped for 12 hours as long as they have food and water. We are trying to come up with a way to get the ducks in their coop at night. I cannot stand to see them out in the snow and the cold weather this winter. They have a big coop with a picture window in the front but they refuse to go inside at night. I know what it is going to be like, the round up at the ok corrall to get them inside. We may have to put up a couple of gates to block off some of the exits. I can see us now out in the snow and ice chasing ducks into their house. I want to start soon before the weather gets to bad to try and get them used to the coop. If anybody has any suggestions to make it easier to get them to go inside let me know.

Ozzie is part australian shepherd. He is a huge dog weighing about 70 pounds. If you say hawk to him he starts looking up trying to see one. He knows what you are talking about. He also knows Bubbas hawk alert bawk and he comes running. The first time I saw Ozzie going after a hawk was when I had Turbo and Que Sera in the yard. One swooped down in the yard and Ozzie took off after it and chased it out of the yard. He doesn't bother the sparrows or starlings or the doves that come in the yard but you let a hawk come in the yard and he's after it. I guess he is guarding his territory. I feel a lot safer when he is in the yard with the chickens and ducks. He comes in and out of the house all day but he prefers outside when it cooler like it is now.

Patty

 

[pattyhen]

I'm not sure how Maggie would react to a hawk actually coming down to get someone, but I am just hoping her presence out there makes a difference. She's 12 yrs old so she isn't as fast as she use to be, and my wimpy dogs are to cold natured now to stay outside. Maggie loves to lay in the sun right out in the driveway so hopefully she is a deterrent. Maggie sleeps inside but loves to be out on sunny days but they are fading fast here.
How are your chicks doing @GarnerZoo Haven't seen any new pcs lately.

I would love to see pics of the chicks too.

Patty

 

[Julie Birb]

Thanks Julie and we've missed you girl.  Que Sera had to have a pic of her standing up so you could see her lovely webs.  

Patty

Thank you, Sweet Patty. I love Que Sera standing up with her webs. How were you able to catch her?

 

[pattyhen]

Thank you, Sweet Patty. I love Que Sera standing up with her webs. How were you able to catch her?

Your welcome Julie and those were some dirty webs. She did clean them up some in the bathtub. She wasn't hard to catch and of course it took two of us to do it. I cornered her in the fence and she just stood there like come on and get me. I think running from me is a little game then she gets tired of it and wants to be held.

Patty

 

[Julie Birb]

Your welcome Julie and those were some dirty webs.  She did clean them up some in the bathtub.  She wasn't hard to catch and of course it took two of us to do it.  I cornered her in the fence and she just stood there like come on and get me. I think running from me is a little game then she gets tired of it and wants to be held.

Patty

Ha-ha, dirty webs. Funny. She cares not getting her bare feets filthy. Awe, that's cute she lets you hold her after the chase.

 

[GarnerZoo]

That's so sweet, I'm sure it is a game with her to be chased. She knows you wont give up to catch her.
Sorry I've been inactive lately, i've had one thing after another go wrong. Our other car broke something in it's engine, that was a minor heartattack because we replace the engine a year ago and didn't get rid of it so we were able to use parts from that to fix this one, it would've been so expensive otherwise. And those darn hawks are keeping my girls cooped up all day. I've gotta save up to build them a run, especially before spring when they hawks have babies.
The babies are getting so big, we introduced them to the big girls the other day and they mostly stayed away from each other, one of the big girls came over everynow and then and pecked the babies, more so when they were eating. I didnt think the one pecking was the head hen, but maybe? I could see the babies stand up taller and ruffle their feathers, but they never fought back, is this good? Sorry for all the questions, just am still newer to this! I'll definitely post pictures later!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's so sweet, I'm sure it is a game with her to be chased. She knows you wont give up to catch her.
Sorry I've been inactive lately, i've had one thing after another go wrong. Our other car broke something in it's engine, that was a minor heartattack because we replace the engine a year ago and didn't get rid of it so we were able to use parts from that to fix this one, it would've been so expensive otherwise. And those darn hawks are keeping my girls cooped up all day. I've gotta save up to build them a run, especially before spring when they hawks have babies.
The babies are getting so big, we introduced them to the big girls the other day and they mostly stayed away from each other, one of the big girls came over everynow and then and pecked the babies, more so when they were eating. I didnt think the one pecking was the head hen, but maybe? I could see the babies stand up taller and ruffle their feathers, but they never fought back, is this good? Sorry for all the questions, just am still newer to this! I'll definitely post pictures later!!

GZ they learn pretty quick to give respect to the ones in charge. My BAs' who are as large as most of my other hens are still low on dominant scale they always will be because they are the youngest. You just have to watch and make sure the hens who are most aggressive don't really all out attack. they could inflict serious injury.

Sorry about your cars it's so expensive to get work done that is great you were able to use parts off one for the other.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sometimes these computers

right in the kisser. lol

 

[pattyhen]

That's so sweet, I'm sure it is a game with her to be chased. She knows you wont give up to catch her.
Sorry I've been inactive lately, i've had one thing after another go wrong. Our other car broke something in it's engine, that was a minor heartattack because we replace the engine a year ago and didn't get rid of it so we were able to use parts from that to fix this one, it would've been so expensive otherwise. And those darn hawks are keeping my girls cooped up all day. I've gotta save up to build them a run, especially before spring when they hawks have babies.
The babies are getting so big, we introduced them to the big girls the other day and they mostly stayed away from each other, one of the big girls came over everynow and then and pecked the babies, more so when they were eating. I didnt think the one pecking was the head hen, but maybe? I could see the babies stand up taller and ruffle their feathers, but they never fought back, is this good? Sorry for all the questions, just am still newer to this! I'll definitely post pictures later!!

I thought you might be busy garnerzoo. I know what you mean about things going wrong. I'm glad you were able to fix your car with the leftover parts.

Be careful with the hawks fall is the wrost time around here. I haven't seen a single one since the day I sit in the yard and read a book. Knock on wood they've all left this area.

The baby chicks probably won't fight back at all. Their trying to look bigger I think when they puff up and stand taller. The older chickens are teaching the pecking order when eatting the babies eat last. That's sad but that's the pecking order. We would love to see pics when you have time.

Patty

 

[pattyhen]

Sometimes these computers

right in the kisser. lol

I have threatened my computer before.

It doesn't help tho. I have been having problems with this sight. Half of the above messages cover the new ones. I don't know if it's my puter or the sight.

Patty