We were "gifted" 2 ducklings by a neighbor who used them for her Easter photography business & didn't want them. Guess since we had a Muscovey who free-ranges on our small lake, she figured we could just turn them loose out there & then there would be no problems, lol. Well, I've fallen in love w/the little darlings! But, OMLord, the poop! We kept them in totes in the house the 1st 2 wks, then moved them to my DH's shop. He boarded off a small area for them near the pull-down door. But this is only temp.
After reading so much about ducks in the past 3-4 wks, I'm hopelessly confused. Been feeding them chick feed w/lettuce at night to lure them into the shop. During the day they come up to the back deck where we have a kiddie pool 3' across. They've about outgrown this now. They splash & preen a lot, scratch a lot, &, of course, poop all the time. They go under the deck should a hawk or threat appear.
Now, questions:
I think I have plain old white ducks (call ducks?). How do I know for sure?
How can I figure out how old they are?
Since neither of them have a curled tailed feather, can I assume they are both female?
When do I quit feeding them chick feed & what do I feed them next?
Do I put feed & water in w/them at night? I've been doing this but saw somewhere on a forum that it wasn't necessary.
Do I need to get a drake if they are both female?
Can they be allowed to free-range down by the lake during the day? It is about 150 yds from where the house & their pen will be.
There are some big catfish in the lake (10 lbs approx.). Are they a danger to the duckies?
What about snakes? Any danger?
Sorry for all these basic questions. I'll read one article & it recommends one thing while another recommends something entirely different; hence the confusion. Thanks so much!!!!
After reading so much about ducks in the past 3-4 wks, I'm hopelessly confused. Been feeding them chick feed w/lettuce at night to lure them into the shop. During the day they come up to the back deck where we have a kiddie pool 3' across. They've about outgrown this now. They splash & preen a lot, scratch a lot, &, of course, poop all the time. They go under the deck should a hawk or threat appear.
Now, questions:
I think I have plain old white ducks (call ducks?). How do I know for sure?
How can I figure out how old they are?
Since neither of them have a curled tailed feather, can I assume they are both female?
When do I quit feeding them chick feed & what do I feed them next?
Do I put feed & water in w/them at night? I've been doing this but saw somewhere on a forum that it wasn't necessary.
Do I need to get a drake if they are both female?
Can they be allowed to free-range down by the lake during the day? It is about 150 yds from where the house & their pen will be.
There are some big catfish in the lake (10 lbs approx.). Are they a danger to the duckies?
What about snakes? Any danger?
Sorry for all these basic questions. I'll read one article & it recommends one thing while another recommends something entirely different; hence the confusion. Thanks so much!!!!