Completely new and no idea what we are getting into lol

[Miss Lydia]

I get it with the predators, calm down, the barn is very tight, raccoon are not going to get into it.

Well it's hard for those of us who have been on BYC for a while not to go over board when talking about how secure a place needs to be when we have seen so much heartache from flocks being decimated because someone thought chicken wire would keep out preds. So we harp.

Glad to see they will have plenty of ventilation, very important when keeping poultry..Look forward to seeing the new girls. and it looks awesome.

 

[Djcoak]

Top door is on. Keep in mind the barn doors on the outside also stay closed and double latched so no worries on the predators

Door isn't 100 percent complete but I ran out of time

On their way home!!!

In their new home

We had to dip their beaks then they really got fired up! The waterer works great.

The rouens seems a lot smarter than the Pekins but so far they are adjusting well.

 

[Amiga]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Top door is on. Keep in mind the barn doors on the outside also stay closed and double latched so no worries on the predators

Door isn't 100 percent complete but I ran out of time


On their way home!!!

In their new home


We had to dip their beaks then they really got fired up! The waterer works great.

The rouens seems a lot smarter than the Pekins but so far they are adjusting well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is so neat they look to be settling in so nice. and alot of room for them which is great. I'd give them a little privacy nooks in there for egg laying just a scrap piece of board attached to the wall they can get behind to lay. Congrats!!

 

[veronicasmom]

People were only trying to help.

 

[Djcoak]

That is so neat they look to be settling in so nice. and alot of room for them which is great. I'd give them a little privacy nooks in there for egg laying just a scrap piece of board attached to the wall they can get behind to lay. Congrats!! 

ok we were wondering about that. Does straw help or is it needed? Also how many times a day do they need to be fed?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

...So we harp. :/     ...

Not my intent, just thoughts I had. Enjoy.

 

[SparkleFlower]

If you have pine trees on your property it is very inexpensive duck bedding.
I have an A frame coop in my backyard without a floor, and I have not had any predator problems.
You should buy some food grade diatomaceous earth and mix it in their food, it kills parasites and keeps your duckies healthy.
I feed my Muscovy ducks "aqua specialty floating waterfowl food".
Never feed ducks chicken food because it will hurt them if it's medicated.
Ducks need a source of water to bathe in everyday,kiddy pools work.
I did not let my ducks on my pond until they were 12 weeks old (because they can't escape turtles when they are younger).
now they are 7 months old and 2 of them stay on the pond constantly, but one is mentally retarded so i put him in his coop every night.

I hope this helps

PS that coop looks great!!

 

[Djcoak]

We don't have pine needles here like you guys in NC do. I used to travel there a lot, you all use pine needles for everything! Lol. I always thought using them for mulch was a huge fire hazard but I guess not.

Anyway, we were wondering about the earth, do you use that in addition to grit?

We are feeding them purina flock raiser at the moment and lots of salad lol. These Ducks are already very spoiled.

While I get the kiddie pool thing, they have yet to have one in their lives so not having one for awhile longer won't kill them. I think it best to let them get used to the pen, the barn, and all the noises before we let them out to bathe.

I can't wait to see them on the pond, they are going to be so excited lol.