AshleyHanks1986
Hatching
Hello everyone,
My name is Ashley, I'm married with an 11 year old girl, 2 cats, and 5 ducks. My husband, Tom, decided a few years ago that he wanted to get ducks for our garden because their webbed feet are more delicate to plants than chickens, and also they're adorable and a source of free food.
Last year we made a fence around the pond that we spent 3 years digging with shovels to prepare for ducks. We went to tractor supply and bought 4. 1 little yellow fluff ball that ended up being a Pekin, I named her Big Bird. A single solid black one that Tom named Black Beak, a Cayuga Male. And 2 Rouen females that we named Scratch and Darkwing. Sadly we lost Scratch and Black Beak to Pair of raccoons that took up residence in our back yard. We fortified the fence with an electric wire and added onto the area to give them more space and grass. This spring we ordered 2 female black swedish, Plucky and Firecracker, and another black Cayuga Male, that we named, Black Beak #2.
We plan on letting a lot of eggs hatch this time, now that we have another male. But, we're new to this, so I'm not entirely sure how to tell if the eggs are fertilized or even what to do for them when they start to lay on their eggs.
I always appreciate any helpful tips for new duck owners. What kinds of treats do you feed your ducks? Do you use a coop at night, or are yours free range all the time? How do you store your extra eggs? And any other tid bits you may think of are very much appreciated.
Thanks so much for your time!
My name is Ashley, I'm married with an 11 year old girl, 2 cats, and 5 ducks. My husband, Tom, decided a few years ago that he wanted to get ducks for our garden because their webbed feet are more delicate to plants than chickens, and also they're adorable and a source of free food.
Last year we made a fence around the pond that we spent 3 years digging with shovels to prepare for ducks. We went to tractor supply and bought 4. 1 little yellow fluff ball that ended up being a Pekin, I named her Big Bird. A single solid black one that Tom named Black Beak, a Cayuga Male. And 2 Rouen females that we named Scratch and Darkwing. Sadly we lost Scratch and Black Beak to Pair of raccoons that took up residence in our back yard. We fortified the fence with an electric wire and added onto the area to give them more space and grass. This spring we ordered 2 female black swedish, Plucky and Firecracker, and another black Cayuga Male, that we named, Black Beak #2.
We plan on letting a lot of eggs hatch this time, now that we have another male. But, we're new to this, so I'm not entirely sure how to tell if the eggs are fertilized or even what to do for them when they start to lay on their eggs.
I always appreciate any helpful tips for new duck owners. What kinds of treats do you feed your ducks? Do you use a coop at night, or are yours free range all the time? How do you store your extra eggs? And any other tid bits you may think of are very much appreciated.
Thanks so much for your time!
We are glad you joined this flock!
Best wishes and have lots of fun! 
Glad you joined.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
