Bonded duckling and chick? Can you help ID them?

[frankensusan]

Hmm... Ducklings feathers are coming in now. And they are most definitely not white. They are a tan color... She is extremely excited about play time outside of the pen and is an avid snail hunter!

Susan

 

[Malibufarmer]

sounds like she is a buff duck

 

[frankensusan]

cool! I don't think I've ever seen a buff duck. Are they smaller than Pekins? Bigger than Mallards? So many questions. Doesn't matter, I totally love my gardener companions. They (chicky boo and duckling) have learned that when I come to clean the aviary that they get to go out and hunt for bugs. They need time away from the evil dominant old bunny. Funny bunny doesn't realize that he's getting extra treats and love because he's sharing his domain with the birds.

I found out that another neighbor of mine in these here suburbs has a chicken coop and hasn't had trouble with the neighbors. I'm trying to get her number to see if she had to get a special permission from the home owners association or is just flying under the radar.

In my mind if it ain't botherin the neighbors with noise or smell, then what do they have to complain about? But hubby rightfully reminds me that the HOA has powers that can make our lives miserable if we tick them off.

Still haven't found a good home for them, although I haven't had much time to look either.

buff duck... hmm. Time for more research!

Thanks!

Susan

 

[fleurdelisky]

I used to live in a subdivision and my neighbors had three chickens. I now have two myself and even though I am on acreage, my husband built a 10x5 run with a dog kennel as a coop. It was under $100 to make and they can free range in the day and be safe at night. Email me and I will send you pictures and directions if you like. Good luck.
Christi

 

[frankensusan]

YAY! They have been fostered and growing up so fast, the best gardeners helpers, and NOW I am proud to say they can live here with me!

Well, assuming that the chick is not a rooster, and the duck stays relatively quiet (ie quieter than the neighbhorhood dogs)

YIPPPEEEE!!

Off to figure out plans for housing, they drove the bunny batty and the chick was picking on the quail so they need separate quarters now.

Susan

 

[ella]

That's fantastic!! Congratulations!

To answer some of the questions you posted earlier; Buff's get to be about 5-6 pounds, they were considered a dual purpose breed and kept for both eggs and meat. But most are now kept for pets. They can lay 150-200 eggs a year! I guess the eggs are really good for baking- better taste.

If your little duckling is starting to quack it's probably a female, males have a much softer whispery voice. The two I have are certainly quieter than the chickens, and a whole lot quieter than any dog! Plus they confine their quaki-ness to daylight hours.

And how can I not share some pics of my Buff duck's from last week.

They're only about 6 weeks old.

There is tons of info on coops on the Coop Design and Construction page. It wouldn't be too difficult or expensive to set something up for them. Good Luck, and again Congratulations!

 

[frankensusan]

*gasp* they're Georgeous!!! I'll take pictures tomorrow and post. I was very happy to have done the research to find out that I am allowed 25 fowl and rabbits within city limits as long as they do not cause noise or smell disturbance and as long as I care for them as I would any of my other pets, ie with lots of TLC! I don't feel like I'm sneaking around anymore! And my hubby is really ok with it, I guess he figures 2 is better than 25. HAHAHA! Well, 4 if you count quail and rabbit.

Little duckling has feathered on chest, wings are growing, and tail is bigger. Face is starting to feather. and her chicken friend is the biggest kick I've had in awhile. So funny, she lays down on her side and stretches out when she's tired (I HOPE!). But come dusk she's a worry wart and herds the duckling into a sheltered place in their yard, she was very upset when duckling and I were trying to hunt for snails at dusk the other day.

This weekend, is the make-do lean-to chicken/duck shelter making project weekend! My son and I are making it a Cub Scout service project since he's already better with tools than myself and my husband!

I can't believe how much joy and peace these guys have brought to me. I hope I can give it back by keeping them safe and healthy!

duckling caught her first glimpse of my pond this week too, and boy did she sound excited! she wouldn't get in though. Only I could get a duck that is not that interested in deep water.

Susan

 

[frankensusan]

As promised, after a hard days work starting the conversion of my little garden into a free range fowl yard and garden.... Here are some pics!

This was only a week or so ago, they already look so different!

Here's a link to the story with more pictures http://www.monsterpuppy.com/susan/images/index3.htm

I keep waiting for the duckling to look not quite so 'ugly duckling'. I can see white and tan now and the changes are happening so quickly!

Susan

 

[MayberrySaint]

That definitely looks like a rooster...

 

[ella]

Awww, scruffy duck

don't worry that stage doesn't last more than a week or two. Ducky will be looking sleek in no time!

It does look a bit like a rooster, but it is still young and with the laws in your area... I don't know, some people really love the sound of a crowing rooster.

I have the coop about 50 feet from my bedroom window and it doesn't bother me, and believe me I like my sleep! I have people who come out to my place mention how much they love the sound of 'the boys' crowing. There is no reasonable reason that a rooster can't live in a neihborhood, they are not any louder than a dog and unlike dogs they don't usually make noise at night.

Unfortunatly some people are not reasonable and it only takes one neighbor to make a problem. Maybe you can find a shelter or petting zoo that could take him if it turns out to be a Him and if it becomes a problem.

I really hope it works out for you, I know I love my chickens every bit as much as I love my cat and horses. Let us know if you need info or advice on anything. This place has a wealth of information from people all over who have dealt with just about every situation imaginable.