Dixie Chicks

[perchie.girl]

Didn't take long for 'Gizmo' to find a new sleeping spot.

Oh what a cutie..... Love the name too Gizmo.

 

[Beer can]

Lol, that's my name for her, kids call her Chiquita.

 

[BriardChickens]

That's a big jump in size for one day! Sounds like you have an overachiever!

I can't Ovate right now, but that sure deserves one!! So happy for you and such lovely eggs!!

Dagnabit, I'm jealous... Lady Grey hatched out May 17th, I think... can't wait for her first egg...

Fingers crosssed for Lady Grey!! No egg this morning, but I am hoping to find another one tonight

DH and I built a new duck shelter, sorry no pics yet + it's a bit ghetto as we were scrambling for material near the end. It's a big L shape and open to the fronts. The roof isn't steep enough for snow to just fall off, but easy enough to just sweep it off. Basically built to keep the cold northern winds and usual west winds out. I'll put in a thick layer of straw and then some then the new 90 ducks should be able to stay warm enough until the end of February.
Just have to install another motion sensor light so I can check on them before and after. .

Lol, that's my name for her, kids call her Chiquita.

New puppy?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Fingers crosssed for Lady Grey!! No egg this morning, but I am hoping to find another one tonight

DH and I built a new duck shelter, sorry no pics yet + it's a bit ghetto as we were scrambling for material near the end. It's a big L shape and open to the fronts. The roof isn't steep enough for snow to just fall off, but easy enough to just sweep it off. Basically built to keep the cold northern winds and usual west winds out. I'll put in a thick layer of straw and then some then the new 90 ducks should be able to stay warm enough until the end of February. 
Just have to install another motion sensor light so I can check on them before and after. . 

New puppy?

It'll probably be spring before she lays I know, but I can hope, right? lol...
Doesn't matter how the duck house looks as long as it works!

The 2 bigger ducks we ended up keeping are only a week younger than Lady Grey, wondering if they'll start laying first though... they're huge... was told they were Mallards, but think they might be Rouens... doesn't matter, we're only keeping them for eating eggs and boy distractions, lol...

@minihorse927 Lady Grey update... she rules the flock like a miniature drill Sargeant...

 

[BriardChickens]

It'll probably be spring before she lays I know, but I can hope, right? lol...
Doesn't matter how the duck house looks as long as it works!

The 2 bigger ducks we ended up keeping are only a week younger than Lady Grey, wondering if they'll start laying first though... they're huge... was told they were Mallards, but think they might be Rouens... doesn't matter, we're only keeping them for eating eggs and boy distractions, lol...


@minihorse927 Lady Grey update... she rules the flock like a miniature drill Sargeant...

Or she might surprise you! LOL I didn't think they'd start that early. I was expecting 22-24 weeks. We'll see if the other 2 ladies will follow suit! How do you tell if they are getting ready to lay?


Last night we also put 5 of the 7 new Partridge Chantecler girls into the main coop at dusk (keeping the boy and the 2 best ladies separate as a breeding trio). So the ducks may be a bit ticked off as the new girls chose to sleep on the floor. We placed them on the roost, but I guess they didn't stay.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Or she might surprise you! LOL I didn't think they'd start that early. I was expecting 22-24 weeks. We'll see if the other 2 ladies will follow suit! How do you tell if they are getting ready to lay?


Last night we also put 5 of the 7 new Partridge Chantecler girls into the main coop at dusk (keeping the boy and the 2 best ladies separate as a breeding trio). So the ducks may be a bit ticked off as the new girls chose to sleep on the floor. We placed them on the roost, but I guess they didn't stay. 

Ducks do not like changes, lol... hope they don't revolt...

Calls get rounder as they get close, and shes getting round, lol... I think they start building nests too, or at least get very interested in nesting boxes and such... I have a large carrier with shavings in the duck integration pen (have a hen in there too to isolate her eggs for hatching) and the big ducks have gotten very interested in it lately... they go in and spend an hour in it rearranging and talking nonstop... looks like they are thinking about it at least...

 

[BriardChickens]

Ducks are finicky like that...

Since I am bringing home the laying flock of Cayugas this weekend I am moving the Cayuga boys for sure! I think the ratio will be 7:90 or so.... While I do want all the ducks out of the chicken coop, I haven't decided yet if all should be going together for the winter or to keep the current girls with the chickens? I know they'll make a mess. Probably easier for water if I kept them all together.

I can always split them on the new property in March.

Any opinions?

 

[Ravynscroft]

I'm separating mine for winter, but think as long as you have a tub or bucket big enough that the ducks can dunk their heads it'd be ok... just as long as you don't have any suicidal chickens that might jump in...

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

Feeling very positive.

 

[Alaskan]

I feel you!


The entire predator and disease thing is horrifically frustrating.