I think I'm in over my head. :( :(

[ChixPix]

I've wanted ducks for a REALLY LONG TIME. I just love them, and they are so adorable. Yes, I knew they were messy.

I finally talked my husband into chickens, which we're building their coop/run right now, and they'll be ready to go out into it in the next 48 hours... YAY!

About 3 weeks ago, I was on a weekend trip with my sister, and my husband, bless him, went and bought me 4 ducks. (I only really wanted 2). I feel so in over my head, my house smells horrible, they are in a pool on my dining room table (I don't have a garage or basement). They were about a week-2 weeks when I got them and they are scared to death of me, or anyone. Don't like to be pet or touched.

To top it all off, their part of the run/pen is not even close to being done. I dont' know what I'm going to use for a house for them when they are ready to go out (which I hope is soon). It's going to rain for like a week so it's going to be at least one more week before I can do a darn thing.

I was just not prepared for ducks quite yet, and had my husband given me a choice, I would have suggested waiting til next year.

Honestly, they are so sweet and adorable, but I really wish I didn't have them right now. I feel like a bad person, since I have kidded my husband that I was getting a duck for *years*. I told my son a couple months ago, not to get his hopes up, we were never getting one, and now I do. I'm scared to tell my husband that this nice thing he did for me was too much and I'm in over my head. '

I really want to rehome them right now.

 

[cracking up]

What part of the country are you in? They should be old enough to spend the day in a metal dog crate on the lawn. It really helps a lot and just bring them in at night with food and water just until you go to bed. It will really help. Then you can get things cleaned up and start to feel normal again. If it's still really cold that might not work so well.

 

[ChixPix]

I'm in NW Missouri. It's been kind of cold the past few days. Today is great! It's been rainy off and on so work on the coop/run hasn't been very productive. Their run/coop will be attached to the chickens.

 

[cracking up]

Can you get a metal dog crate from Wal mart for now? Give them some shelter and they'll love the rain. If they're too cold they'll peep a lot.

 

[chickboss]

Okay, if I was totally desperate to get them out of the house I would put up some kind of temp fence, add some hot wire to keep whatever out, or get that electric netting stuff, it works great, then I would pick up a medium to large dog house that I could put a door on. There you go. House, and run, done. They can move into fancier digs later. But if you really can't stand them, be honest with hubby and get them a new home.

Think easy with the temp fence. Like those cheap plastic poles with chicken wire attached with zip ties, but hot wire would be a must because anything could go through it otherwise.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Ducks are not like chickens. If you have a small fenced area that is predator safe and a dog house they get into to be dry and warm, that is really all you need. Youa re saying that they are 5-6 weeks old right now, correct? I definately think they could be outside most of the day and in at night if it is too cool. They are messy as babies, but the reward when they are adults is so worth it.

Good luck and hang in there. As for them not wanting to be held, I think that is the duck. I have never really had a duck that like to be held. In my opinion, Geese are more social.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
This basically what I was thinking of....sounds like a good temporary solution.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[mellowknees]

One way you can get them to be less frightened of you: CHOPPED LETTUCE!

I've had ducks for a few years now, and this is the first year I've done this, and it's made all the difference! Each night, I clean my ducklings' little bin. Before I start the cleaning, I take some lettuce leaves and chop them into tiny pieces with a pair of kitchen shears. After replacing the bedding in their bin, I put their waterer back in, and then I give them the chopped lettuce out of my cupped hand. They were spooked of me at first, and very tentative, and now they are so used to my hands that they nibble on my gloves while I'm cleaning their bin and even yank on the sleeves of my tee shirt! They've also become conditioned to seeing the little Pyrex bowl of chopped lettuce leaves. When they see it pop over the edge of the bin, they get quiet for a second, and then they all run to the end of the bin to get in line.

Ducks are messy, and they are STINKY little guys while they're in the brooder. But the payoff is immense. Once they feather out and you can have them outside permanently, I am sure you will be really happy with them. They are so much fun to watch and interact with! I even have several adult ducks who are mostly terrified of me, but who are beginning to think I'm not so bad now that I'm also giving them lettuce from my hands at night when I close them into their duck house. Only one of them will actually eat from my hand, but the rest have been getting closer and closer, and now will get right up next to me when I am out dumping their pools on the weekends and changing their water each night.

Try to hang in there! They WILL be fun to have once you get through the messy duckling phase. And no poultry is better at keeping your yard free from slugs than a group of ducks. Slugs = duck candy!

 

[chickboss]

Slugs = duck candy!

NO KIDDING! My Kahki ate a HUGE slug the other day! It was like 4 inches long! I couldn't believe my little duck could actually swallow something that big. In diameter the slug was almost as big as the ducks neck. Yay ducks!​

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I'm in Northwest Missouri as well, I know how you feel about the weather. Seems we get warm, then cold, then rain then warm again! Darn KC weather!

Hang in there! I have my two babies outside now during the day in a dog crate, just as someone else suggested, and it truly helps, A LOT! Worst case scenario, if you decide you have to rehome, I can ask around for you, see if anyone around here wants a few ducks, if you live close enough. Just private message me.

It can be overwhelming having ducks, but listen to the advice in the forum, and I think you can find a happy place! lol