Consolidated Kansas

[justinwrites]

I have a congress of owls living in my garage somewhere but they've left us alone so far.

 

[CarolAnn]

Have a duck question today. I don't remember exactly when I got my ducklings, but they're enough big now that two have gotten the curly male tail feathers. I want to be able to turn them out into the yard some but haven't clipped their feathers yet. Are they old enough at say 5-6 months?

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
I don't think many duck breeds are capable of flying away, so I don't think it's necessary. Most ducks we get in feed stores are 'grounded.' Can you post pics so we can tell the breeds?

 

[justinwrites]

My ducks are around 21 weeks old and have been outside for quite a while now. They're refusing to go in my pond, but otherwise they do great. Messy little buggers, but great.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
Is this a plastic pond.

I did not know that there were any ponds in the city limits.

 

[justinwrites]

"Pond" I should say. It's tiny. I will expand it later, but is about 2 by 4 right now lol. The people who owned the house before me tried to build a koi pond and only dug it to 2' deep. The koi froze of course. I haven't had the money to revamp it yet, I hope to before the freeze. But I' put in some blocks as a stairway hoping the ducks would feel more "welcome". They prefer the bucket.

 

[chicken danz]

Your pond should be fine most of the winter if you have a pump circulating the water. I built water gardens for several years and 2 feet is plenty. It's the surface that will freeze around here. Get a little stock tank heater with a guard on it so it can't burn whatever the liner is made of and put that in when it gets super cold. Ducks will go to water if they have a ramp to get in and some steps to get out. 2 X 4 is awfully small but if you don't have lots of ducks that should work. You will probably have to pump it out pretty often though.
CarolAnn, Your ducks were probably old enough to go out by 3 weeks old. They don't need heat like other chicks. As far as them staying around the yard if they've been in a pen outside just open the gate. They will return. Unless you have wild type ducks they shouldn't fly off.

 

[chicken danz]

Quote:
Hey! Where are you? I have been gone the last couple days so haven't had time to post much, but I see no updates from you. Did you take a break from the house building?

 

[CarolAnn]

My 7 ducks are in a coop next to my chicken house with a 10' x 10' enclosed run, and have been for some time. Renee, I hope to have pics uploaded soon as I still don't know their breeds, except the one Pekin. I know I didn't get the runners I hoped for. Hopefully next year. I wanted to be able to let them out of the run during the day but yes, am concerned about them flying into the trees or away. Next question is will they eat my flowers? The chickens scratched my flower beds half to death so they don't get out in the yard anymore. If the ducks are going to trample and/or eat my flowers I won't want them out either. And I'm picturing them flattening my melon beds in the veggie garden, so not sure what I can trust them with. I really wanted to be able to let them roam the days I'm home.

 

[CarolAnn]

Quote:
I bought the mid sized kiddie pool for my ducks. I drain and refill it twice a week. After a few days even they don't want to go near it. I have red bricks around one side for them to get in and half a dozen inside to help them get out. They LOVE the thing! Not sure what I'll do during winter. The rink of ice that draining it would create would be a disaster waiting to happen.

What do you duck owners do during the winter? I know they don't HAVE to have a swimming hole, but the cold months will be dull without it. Come to think of it I survive having MY pool closed for 8 months of the year. LOL