Getting to know these new ducks

[Cedar714]

I just discovered my ducks love the big black crickets that hide under the slab wood and boards laying on the ground near their pen, as soon as I start lifting planks the ducks come running and go to work scooping them up, they seem to enjoy them so much I made my own "cricket farm" by leaving the planks on the grass for now instead of cutting them for firewood like my original plan.
They are leaving little duck holes around the yard also from sifting the soil when there is water.
They also love lettuce and other cut greens in their kiddie pool.

 

[Kathbmcclure]

I haven't tried lettuce IN the pool- good idea. They are actually getting more and more comfortable, figuring out the routine. They come to me for those crazy flowers, but still nothing else interests them. That's ok though b/c they are such good foragers. Skinny boy, big girls. I'm becoming lead duck and will have them happy about their night time home in no time . They are just so great- I'm so enamored with the mosquito eating ducks!!!

 

[JoyAnna]

So, it's been a little more than a week for us to be getting acquainted. They still won't eat out of hand, and are still rather picky about their foods, but went for the watermellon I put out for them. They are turning into wonderful characters. Today, I couldn't be outside as much as usual, working in the kitchen. Next thing I know they have managed to get up about five steps onto the deck and are talking through the kitty door. The cats were totally incensed! I gently directed them off (they flew down), but had to go through the process 4 or 5 times. From what I see going on in the pool, it looks like I have a pair. I don't see any drake feathers yet, but 'he' sure seems to know what he is doing, and 'she' seems quite consenting

. I think they are still young and haven't finished that juvenile molt. So far, I am so pleased with these two.

 

[Kathbmcclure]

So, it's been a little more than a week for us to be getting acquainted. They still won't eat out of hand, and are still rather picky about their foods, but went for the watermellon I put out for them. They are turning into wonderful characters. Today, I couldn't be outside as much as usual, working in the kitchen. Next thing I know they have managed to get up about five steps onto the deck and are talking through the kitty door. The cats were totally incensed! I gently directed them off (they flew down), but had to go through the process 4 or 5 times. From what I see going on in the pool, it looks like I have a pair. I don't see any drake feathers yet, but 'he' sure seems to know what he is doing, and 'she' seems quite consenting . I think they are still young and haven't finished that juvenile molt. So far, I am so pleased with these two.

They sound wonderful! That they came up on your deck makes me think they are very personable. Our 3 won't come on the patio, yet a chicken we have will just walk right in the kitchen if the door is open. Love these personalities!

 

[Major_in_MS]

I noticed my ducks trying to feed on the bottom of their pool like the wild ducks do in a lake so I started putting a scoopful of fermented grains on the bottom of their pool in the mornings when I feed the chickens. I don't really know if they are eating much of it but they are going through the motions.

 

[HauiBali]

Ducks love to filter the bottom and the shores of lakes, and they are digging little holes in search for earthworms underwater. I do not give them any food to their pond, even this way I have to change the water every few days because it gets green with algae, thanks to the tragic heat we have this summer (no rain for the last two months). Anyway, they have buckets of water a few place around the garden, and when I water the plumtrees (imagine, I'm afraid to touch the plumtrees, because unripened fruits are falling down too

) in the morning they love to play in the mud.

 

[JoyAnna]

Update!!

Today I found two eggs, one in the coop and one in the run. The eggs are quite small. I read here that others have had a duck lay more than one egg the first time, so I wonder if this is the case. It has looked obvious that these two were a male and female pair from the mating activity on the pool. Always the slightly larger one mounting the other. However no drake tail has appeared as yet. I've also read that this mating activity sometimes takes place with two ducks of the same sex. At least now I know there is at least one girl out there. Maybe this will all clear up in a few days. It is sure baffling to get a couple of ducks and not have any idea as to age or sex, but I feel so good about giving them a better home than they had. They are eating more of the good feed, slowly trying some other vegetation, and seem far less fearful. Have gotten them to eat out of hand a few times. What an adventure!