ducks camping?

[Kacey52]

So I think I'm going to have to take my little guys camping with us this weekend. My husband is not going to be very happy

but I really can't think of anything else I can do. We'll be leaving Friday afternoon/evening and won't be back til Sunday sometime. I don't know anyone who could come over my house about 3-4 times a day and let the ducks out to swim and walk around and clean/refill food and water dishes and set up/clean up their crate for night time. So I think I'll have to bring their pen, crate, food/water dishes and their little pool. Haha this should be fun. There will be quite a few people there and a lot of kids that will want to give them lots of attention. Is there anything besides keeping them safe and letting them rest that I should keep in mind? I'm also a little concerned about them getting confused about where home is

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Amiga]

I would deputize one or two older kids or adults to watch over them, make absolutely sure their pen is set up to prevent escapes, keep the pen in a shaded area and talk to folks with dogs and little kids about helping you keep the ducklings safe.

What will you do at night? How will you keep predators away from them? Do you have an idea what kind of predators will be around? Probably raccoons, but could be fishers or other weasels, too.

If it were me, I would be very attentive to safety issues, enlist help, and enjoy the experience! Who knows, perhaps you can write an article about it to be published in one of the livestock or homesteading magazines. (c:

Be sure to get photo's!

 

[Kacey52]

I will bring their crate and they can stay inside the camper with us at night

For during the day I will bring their pen that they're in at home. I have 3 kids of my own that I'm sure will help keep an eye on them and I won't be leaving the pen very much lol. I will set them up just outside our trailer partially or completely under the awning depending on the weather. It's not "regular" camping, we will be on someones property and know just about everyone there. Thanks for the tips

 

[Amiga]

Gotta admit, I would be thrilled to have my ducklings with me on vacation!

It has taken much effort to train and retain a good duck sitter. I have found that having three is good, as usually only one will be available when I need them, and due to matters beyond her control, one of them was unable to be here though she had had every intention of doing so, so I have two sets of neighbors trained to pinch hit for me, and they love the ducks.

I have developed, and always need to update, a Duck Care Checklist. People have thanked me profusely for making that list. Reminds me. I need to update it again. Due to straw quality issues lately (no one's fault, really) I have switched to shavings for basement pen bedding. Need to reflect that in the checklist.

 

[cecosugi]

Hi Kacey!

We took our two baby goslings with us camping a couple of months ago. We kept them them in the camper at night, as well as when we were away from the campsite. I took a playpen-type pen, and they stayed in there both in and out of the camper. It was a mess, but I didn't mind. And they peeped a LOT, but I didn't mind that, either.

There was a tree right outside the camper, so I made sure the pen was always in the shade. We had a rubbermaid tub for swimming. A word of caution, though. MANY people bring their dogs camping. Big dogs. We do, too, so we were prepared for protection against dogs. Dogs sometimes can't help themselves when they see a bird of any kind, so you'll want to make sure you scope out the dogs that are also camping.

Also, all the little children in the "neighborhood" wanted to hold and play with the geese. I had to make sure they knew that they couldn't take my geese out of the pen by themselves. They get really excited, and I didn't want someone to accidentally smash one of the geese.

It was a great learning experience for lots of little kids that wouldn't normally get to see a pet goose. I'm glad we took them.

 

[Ally Rose]

when my ducks hatch I'm gonna take them EVERYWHERE it sounds fun and imagine the looks on peoples faces! Ha! i live in a beach town so it will be interesting... Have fun camping!

 

[Mum]

They are territoral birds and my concern would be that it may cause stress to your birds; the poster who took their birds camping states they were "peeping a lot" and that is one of the signs of stress. Also, too many new and strange faces could also cause them undue stress.

The advice when buying birds and bringing them home for the first time is to give them a secure area and keep things calm. Can't see that will happen at a campsite with "lots of children" wanting to give them attention

Sorry if I sound negative, just concerned from the birds point of view.

 

[Amiga]

Nonetheless, Mum, I think taking them with is better than leaving them at home with no one to look out for them. I pray that the less than ideal situation turns out all for the best.

 

[Mum]

Nonetheless, Mum, I think taking them with is better than leaving them at home with no one to look out for them.

Of course; that goes without saying.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Ducks do not like changes or strange people. Your ducks are going to be very unhappy. They will be frightened and stressed.

It's just 2 days. I suggest that you leave them with extra food and extra water that they can't tip over and leave them home. You will have to do extra cleaning when you get home.

You will find that ducks are quite stinky when you close them inside a car with you. It makes driving around with them a bit unpleasant.