Consolidated Kansas

[sunflowerparrot]

It is fun, isn't it? When my muscovies were little, DD and I used to let them have a bath everyday. Muscovies are a little different than the mallard based ducks in that they don't like to swim as much, and don't really want to be out of their depth. Yet they have the same need to have water deep enough to clear the nostrils. We used to run the bath with enough water they could sit on the surface but still touch the bottom. They would dive under and splash water up over themselves and just have a blast. They always "emptied out" in the tub too - it was a mess at the end of every play session.

After they got moved outside, I put a kiddie wading pool out for them and keep 4-6" of water in it for them - they still get in it every day.

I clean out my tub about 10+ times a day - seriously! They make quite the mess... I have a large baking pan (ha.. how inappropriate is that for ducks to splash in? lol) and then a little plastic drawer on the other end of the tub with papers and a food dish for them. They have the whole middle of the tub to walk around... I have all the materials needed to get their duck house put down at the lagoon with hardware cloth, posts, chicken wire, pool... I'm going to work on it this weekend and hope to put them down there during the day in a few more weeks (still bring them in at night because of predators/temperatures) and then hopefully keep them down there in about another 4 weeks. I have some nice materials to make a wind-break for them on the north and east side of the lagoon too where their dog house will be sitting against the lagoon fence.

 

[medawinks]

Quote: A broody silkie will fluff out-- wings out. They sort of hold their wings a bit away from their body and they start to pluck their breast bare. It's awful, they just pluck tons of feathers out and then plop themselves down and don't want to move. They won't get up but once a day to eat, drink and poop. If you notice that she continues to do this for more than a day and suddenly has HUGE-- and I mean.. HUGE poops... then she's broody.

Good luck getting her off that nest if she is. My silkies are baaaaaad about going broody. Mine just sit right down and spread themselves out. I have never seen one stand up or hunch over (and be broody)... maybe you just caught her when she was getting ready to lay or going for a practice run.

She makes a funny growl noise when I pick her up and is now walking around eating. I honestly don't know what position they lay eggs in.... She has fluffed her wings out and her tail is up, with her head lower. I haven't seen her poop though.... We moved the birds to a large roosting area in my sun porch with access to their run through a window we adapted. They have all been a bit perturbed at me for taking their roost away outside. It was covered, but having them roost on the porch in a chicken "aviary" type cage keeps them far enough from my neighbors and keeps them safer too... It is kind of cool. Right now it is only partly done, the nesting box area will have a separate door to open and the brooder box below has not yet been added. I will take a pic when it is done. I am crossing my fingers that she is just broody! Wichita Kidd, I am so sorry to read about your tragedy!!! I have a few Marans chicks here I would be happy to share with you if they all end up being girls. I hope you get some more to keep your beautiful coop in use. They have a bunch of buff orpingtons at Orschelens Tweety, I love it!!!! Here, Kitty!! Such a cute Kitty!! Danz, hoping you and your Twyggy are feeling comfort.... Sending you all the comfort and peace a wish can carry!!!

 

[WichitaKidd]

Thanks to EVERYONE for the kind words & offers of support. Thanks to Heather (Hechicken) for agreeing to take Betty into her flock. Thanks also to everyone who offered to give me some of their hens or chicks or both. I am blessed to have great online friends. Then again, we are from Kansas & that's just the way we roll!
I've decided to put the hobby to rest for the winter & will decide what to do in the spring.
Thanks again for everything!

David

 

[medawinks]

This big egg explains why our Marans has been so noisy! She has never made any noise till this week. I thought it was due to the housing change, but this thing had to be uncomfortable! She is back to her quiet self tonight

 

[chicken danz]

David I'm sorry about your chickens.
I have had a really awful day. I lost my sweet Tyggy today. It is hard to explain how you can love a cat that much, cause she was so different and special. I've had her since she was a couple weeks old and her mother got killed. I hand fed her cause she was too young to eat. I was her Mom and we shared a very special bond. I feel so broken.

 

[medawinks]

Danz......(((((hugs)))):"(

 

[sharol]

I'm so sad for you. Once in a while a pet becomes very special and that was your Tyggy.

Sharol

David I'm sorry about your chickens.
I have had a really awful day. I lost my sweet Tyggy today. It is hard to explain how you can love a cat that much, cause she was so different and special. I've had her since she was a couple weeks old and her mother got killed. I hand fed her cause she was too young to eat. I was her Mom and we shared a very special bond. I feel so broken.

 

[sharol]

Don't be a stranger here. I hope you get started back up in the spring.

Sharol

Thanks to EVERYONE for the kind words & offers of support. Thanks to Heather (Hechicken) for agreeing to take Betty into her flock. Thanks also to everyone who offered to give me some of their hens or chicks or both. I am blessed to have great online friends. Then again, we are from Kansas & that's just the way we roll!
I've decided to put the hobby to rest for the winter & will decide what to do in the spring.
Thanks again for everything!

David

 

[HEChicken]

Danz, so sorry about Tyggy

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Danz, so sad.

It's just so hard to lose a pet family member.