Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

Oh, no, of course not!

Ducks are super fun, and yet....super messy!!! Their poop is liquid...and they splash and cavort so energetically in their 'bath water'. It is fun to watch them....but stand AT LEAST 5 feet away or else plan on getting soaked! They definitely have a 'splash zone' of at least a 5' radius. AND - as is their nature in the wild - siphon water through their beaks - so any and all 'drinking water' gets sucked in and squirted out the sides of their beaks - and while they can(and mine do) drink with nipple waterers, they also need a deep water source so they can clear their nares (they need to be able to dunk their full beaks into the water - they then blow to clear their nares - it is the duck equivalent of a kid blowing bubbles in their milk with a straw...funny as long as you aren't right next to the waterer trying to fill it when they do this (ask me how I know!!! I have now learned to fill all waterers BEFORE opening my 2 duck/goose coops. Chickies out first to drink CLEAN water before the ducks muck it up - finish filling the remaining waterers..then release the ducks and geese.

Also, they have a propensity for what I call 'drilling' They shove their beak into the bedding, dirt, muck looking for worms, grubs and other delicious insect treats. In the course of doing this, their beaks get absolutely filthy ...then what do they do???? Why, go dunk them in their water and blow bubbles, making the water a filthy mess and spraying dirty water everywhere!

I have 1 gal. rubber buckets (multiple of them) in addition to a few large nipple waterers for water for the ducks. Each evening, I bring out a gallon jug of water just to clean out the water bins as they have a coating of mud in them - every single one of the open waterers do - sometimes up to an inch thick, despite them frequently being rinsed out at noon (weekends and my 2 remote days).

They ARE cute and funny and fun little characters....but I emphasize the word 'character' and that their middle name is 'messy'. If you can have them, do, but also be prepared!!!!

Ok yup confirmed not worth it, I am officially talked off the hypothetical duck bridge. Till the next FB post that is

 

[CCsGarden]

Josey! I love her new feathers! Super soft!

 

[bgmathteach]

Ok yup confirmed not worth it, I am officially talked off the hypothetical duck bridge. Till the next FB post that is

Oh, so that means off the bridge into the duck pond???

They really are adorable and friendly in a different way than chickens. When I get my pen extended and have the raised tub that is plumbed for easy draining - it will be so much better - only in winter when it gets below freezing overnight (and during the day time) will it really be an issue then with water and dampness. that part I will get done this coming summer to make life better for all - as there won't be as much wet bedding, either, which will make things so much more sanitary for the chickens as well!!!

 

[bgmathteach]

Josey! I love her new feathers! Super soft!
View attachment 3701088

She looks like she still has a bit of feather growth yet - the feathers look like they haven't finished growing to full length yet. That said, she is still quite a beautiful lady!

(And I have always loved her comb. Trump has nothing on her!!!)

 

[knoturavggrl]

Oh, so that means off the bridge into the duck pond???

They really are adorable and friendly in a different way than chickens. When I get my pen extended and have the raised tub that is plumbed for easy draining - it will be so much better - only in winter when it gets below freezing overnight (and during the day time) will it really be an issue then with water and dampness. that part I will get done this coming summer to make life better for all - as there won't be as much wet bedding, either, which will make things so much more sanitary for the chickens as well!!!

I am no where near building another structure for them, maybe someday though!

You have probably noticed that my coop backs up to steep embankment and if you were to take a short hike to the top you would see our little fishing pond with a little deck to fish off of. So, I have a lovely pond for them but I would still need to keep them as safe as possible from predators. At the moment this is a task too big with all my other commitments.

The tiny east indies will keep tempting me though

 

[RoyalChick]

Awww, you do have the space...and they are very engaging characters. So, while they aren't for teh faint fo heart - I am sure you would love them. You just need a duck moat to go around your chicken palace!!!

Quack, quack, waddle, waddle, quack!

If you think chickens are entertaining, you haven't watched much 'duck tv!'

P.S. yes, they do follow me around the yard to 'see what I am up to' when I first let them out (Especially the Geese - talk about busy bodies!)- then they make a bee-line to their favorite spots.

@RoyalChick : Watch this and you will be hooked

And, yes, pay attention to their elevated waterer with a grate under.

Oh really not fair to make me watch that video because now of course I am a bit smitten!
But no, I couldn't cope with all the water needs.
I like the lady on the video - I watched her Bumblefoot video and found it very helpful.

 

[RoyalChick]

I am no where near building another structure for them, maybe someday though!

You have probably noticed that my coop backs up to steep embankment and if you were to take a short hike to the top you would see our little fishing pond with a little deck to fish off of. So, I have a lovely pond for them but I would still need to keep them as safe as possible from predators. At the moment this is a task too big with all my other commitments.

The tiny east indies will keep tempting me though

If I had a pond I would seriously consider it. They are lovely. I have seen folk who have their duck house floating on the pond which apparently is a good way to keep them safe from foxes and the like.

 

[featherhead007]

If I had a pond I would seriously consider it. They are lovely. I have seen folk who have their duck house floating on the pond which apparently is a good way to keep them safe from foxes and the like.

You have a bathtub don’t you? .

 

[RoyalChick]

If I had a pond I would seriously consider it. They are lovely. I have seen folk who have their duck house floating on the pond which apparently is a good way to keep them safe from foxes and the like.

Like this

 

[RoyalChick]

You have a bathtub don’t you? .

Well yes. But it is occupied by a cat.