Finally rounded up!

[Adalida]

As long as they have some sort of bedding to snuggle into, and can get out of the wind, they'll be okay. It got down to -30 a few nights ago here, and has been around -15 the last few nights. Two of my skinnier Runners shiver a bit when they're outside but once they all go in the house and snuggle into their straw bed, they're fine.

 

[Imquackingup]

I wouldn't my ducks will nibble on things just make sure they are out of drafts they will be okay. We're going to be down around 0 tomorrow night only singles tonight I don't have heat in my duck/chickens houses.

I am worried about mine too. But lets remember they have a nice down jacket on under their feathers and down is nice and warm.

This is all wearing me out. I have 20 stairs to go up and down each time I go check on or feed them. I have Fibromyalgia and Recurring MS and am just not sure how long I can handle all this. I am in so much pain, this really bites cuz I love all of God's creatures but have to also consider my health. I would consider re-homing them but I'm so attached already. Life was a lot easier when I just called them and they came for dinner and back to the pond.Oh well I guess everything will play out the way its supposed to, fingers crossed we all live happily ever after. Another thing, we are trying to move so now I feel we have to incorporate this little flock into our plans but chances are that I wont be finding a place with a pond. Will they be happy without a pond?

 

[Imquackingup]

I wouldn't my ducks will nibble on things just make sure they are out of drafts they will be okay. We're going to be down around 0 tomorrow night only singles tonight I don't have heat in my duck/chickens houses.

I am worried about mine too. But lets remember they have a nice down jacket on under their feathers and down is nice and warm.

This is all wearing me out. I have 20 stairs to go up and down each time I go check on or feed them. I have Fibromyalgia and Recurring MS and am just not sure how long I can handle all this. I am in so much pain, this really bites cuz I love all of God's creatures but have to also consider my health. I would consider re-homing them but I'm so attached already. Life was a lot easier when I just called them and they came for dinner and back to the pond.Oh well I guess everything will play out the way its supposed to, fingers crossed we all live happily ever after. Another thing, we are trying to move so now I feel we have to incorporate this little flock into our plans but chances are that I wont be finding a place with a pond. Will they be happy without a pond?

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is all wearing me out. I have 20 stairs to go up and down each time I go check on or feed them. I have Fibromyalgia and Recurring MS and am just not sure how long I can handle all this. I am in so much pain, this really bites cuz I love all of God's creatures but have to also consider my health. I would consider re-homing them but I'm so attached already. Life was a lot easier when I just called them and they came for dinner and back to the pond.Oh well I guess everything will play out the way its supposed to, fingers crossed we all live happily ever after. Another thing, we are trying to move so now I feel we have to incorporate this little flock into our plans but chances are that I wont be finding a place with a pond. Will they be happy without a pond?

My flock has never had anything but kiddy pools and they are very happy.

Best thing for you to do is put the food out and leave them to get use to everything. Just make sure they can get in out of the cold and wind. This morning it's -1 here and I left the door open to their house so the ones that don't sleep in there can go inside to eat and rest out of the snow. You really are over doing so try to relax and let them get use to everything on their own. I usually only leave the pop door open but my geese can't go through it so the main door is open.

Your worrying too much and I know how that can be.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Imquackingup How is everything going today?

 

[Imquackingup]

@Imquackingup How is everything going today?

They still are barely eating but seem ok I guess. Tomorrow I'm going to get some oats and blueberries to see if they will try that. They went nuts over dog kibble but now they wont touch it.I have been sitting with them, talking to them, they all lay down and sleep while I'm there.lol I have 4 of the 5 named now, Dot,Curly,Bopper and Bing(he has blue eyes) The last one doesn't really stand out so I'll just call him George.lol By the way, how do you tell the sex? Can you tell by their size? Also Thank you Miss Lydia for caring about my situation. Bless you

 

[Adalida]

They might not be as hungry now because when they were on the pond, they were likely burning lots of calories swimming constantly. Now they've got the good life of being couch potatoes. Mine don't seem to be going through feed as fast as they were in the summer. I thought they'd eat more in the winter to stay warm, but I think they actually ate more in the summer. They used to free range over several acres but now that we've got 18 inches of snow, they only go a few hundred feet along the shoveled paths. I guess they don't work up much of an appetite.

(Theoretically they should eat less feed when free ranging, because they should be eating bugs and such, but my birds are free loaders who periodically go back to their house and shovel in tons of food rather than living off the land!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

They might not be as hungry now because when they were on the pond, they were likely burning lots of calories swimming constantly. Now they've got the good life of being couch potatoes. Mine don't seem to be going through feed as fast as they were in the summer. I thought they'd eat more in the winter to stay warm, but I think they actually ate more in the summer. They used to free range over several acres but now that we've got 18 inches of snow, they only go a few hundred feet along the shoveled paths. I guess they don't work up much of an appetite.

(Theoretically they should eat less feed when free ranging, because they should be eating bugs and such, but my birds are free loaders who periodically go back to their house and shovel in tons of food rather than living off the land!)

My Muscovy's are pretty much that way too.

And I notice mine not eating as much through this last frigid weather I think they must be conserving energy by just laying around . So they don't get as hungry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They still are barely eating but seem ok I guess. Tomorrow I'm going to get some oats and blueberries to see if they will try that. They went nuts over dog kibble but now they wont touch it.I have been sitting with them, talking to them, they all lay down and sleep while I'm there.lol I have 4 of the 5 named now, Dot,Curly,Bopper and Bing(he has blue eyes) The last one doesn't really stand out so I'll just call him George.lol By the way, how do you tell the sex? Can you tell by their size? Also Thank you Miss Lydia for caring about my situation. Bless you

Your spoiling them rotten. lol Have you tried dried meal worms? they are pretty pricey I buy in bulk since I have 36 birds who love them but anyway you could get a small bag at a feed store and try them I can't imagine any ducks turning down meal worms. Great source of protein.

As for telling sexes the girls quack loudly the drakes mumble and drakes have a curled tail feather right at base of their tail on their back. Cute names now your getting to really know your ducks I wish you could post some pics we'd love to see them.. Poor George. lol

 

[Imquackingup]

Your spoiling them rotten. lol Have you tried dried meal worms? they are pretty pricey I buy in bulk since I have 36 birds who love them but anyway you could get a small bag at a feed store and try them I can't imagine any ducks turning down meal worms. Great source of protein.

As for telling sexes the girls quack loudly the drakes mumble and drakes have a curled tail feather right at base of their tail on their back. Cute names now your getting to really know your ducks I wish you could post some pics we'd love to see them.. Poor George. lol

I will try to figure out how to post pics as soon as I get a moment to myself. My mother has been sick so its get up, take care of ducks, go to work, go shopping, come home feed Mom , feed /care for ducks, dishes laundry,bed, then repeat .Lol My daughter also surprised us with a 6 month old kitten that she had to rehome cuz she wasn't getting along with her older 2 cats. Hmm she's not "getting along" with my 3 cats and dog either .Lol I tried the rolled oats and blueberries tonight,and have given them oyster shell and mealworms that they hate too.I'm about to make a feeder out of a tote but not sure what to put in it. They wont eat the poultry feed I've bought, maybe I should just give them that alone for a day or two huh?

p.s. I think George is a girl LMAO!