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

[Amiga]

There are days my eleven runners seem to be very high maintenance.

But I keep taking the long view, remembering why I have them, and altogether we definitely have something very positive going here.

Try some of these ideas, make up some of your own, see what works better, and know that once they are past the duckling phase and out in a house of their own, you will receive a return on your investment.

I just finished a brooder change. The next one will be at bedtime in a few hours. The ducks (at nine weeks, I am going to start calling them ducks) have started getting sweeter again. For weeks they were so skittery around me! But we just spent some extra time in the hallway visiting. A chocolate discovered my ear, several like to nibble at my hair and clothes, and (this calls for nerves of steel) my toes. I think it has to do with their age, and that after they became so high-strung, I increased the doling out of treats (salad, peas, slugs now), and once again have gained their favor.

It is a hoot, it is wonderful. It has its over my head times, still. It is a very short time, really.

 

[jack & mommy's duckies]

I agree.............just a little longer and you'll be fine. It is kinda like morning sickness....just when you can't take it no more...it slows down and clear sailing from there on...........

I have 4 ducklings and for a few hours every day i use a baby gate and lock them in the kitchen....they love walking around, and lets the brooder have a chance to dry and not smell so bad........... I also have their water pan in a very large flower saucer under to catch it all.......works great.

It is only a short time till they are outside.

I also lay on the floor with my babies and let them snuggle under my neck like a mommy duck........they love it, I love it and i get tons of kisses..........

 

[cracking up]

By the way (after a few glasses of wine) I think your husband is wonderful. He will like the ducks too and they will make a great addition to the family. Even my eight who were terrified of me for months like us now. (don't tell anyone but we give them dog food for treats).

 

[ChixPix]

Thanks everyone!
I was --->this close<--- to telling my husband that I think we made a mistake. I'll give it this summer and if it still feels wrong, I'll find them a home. I just have to get them to outside and I know i'll feel better. I'm just so unprepared!

 

[ChixPix]

Here's 2 of my duckies btw.

 

[cracking up]

Hey, I just read your blog and we're sooooo much alike except I'm 60!!! It's not that old and comes so much quicker than you think. Keep the ducks, it'll all work out.

 

[cracking up]

AWWW comeon they're so cute. They'll be out of the house in o time - you can do it!

 

[Brickman House]

ChixPix,

I totally hear you! You are not in over your head-- anyone would feel that way! 4 or 5 week old ducklings in my dining room would put me over the edge-- the smell alone is enough to knock you out.

The good news is, at this age, they can definitely go outside, and like many of the prior posters have said, their set up can be REALLY simple. All you need is some kind of fencing (rabbit wire, or garden fence works great, and is cheap and easy to put up) and some kind of lockable house. Dog crates work great, dog houses, shipping crates, anything you can close up at night to protect against predators will work. Bed it down with a thick layer of straw or shavings, and they'll be happy as clams.

Of course it will be great for them to have a finished coop and permanent run, but they don't have to live in your dining room, by any means, until that's done. Simple and temporary will do just fine.

You will absolutely LOVE having your ducks, once they're outside your house!

 

[Hennyhandler]

You're are just over your head a little, kind of like everything is hitting you at the same time? You keep going over and over all the things that still need to be done? I understand I have been there and am there right now. I think everyone on here has been. I haven't wanted to give my duckies away (nothing meant against you

) but I do understand thinking how in the world is this going to get done in time? I go over and over my list of stuff needed to be done, actually I did it not but ten minutes ago.

I have learned though that it will get done maybe with a little rushing and slight panic but it will and it will all be fine.

Calm down and enjoy the ride. Have fun with those little duckies.

 

[HeatherLynn]

So similar situation several, several, several years ago. My mother was nutty over getting ducks and geese. I had absolutely no interest. Mainly cause I know when it comes to animals the chores end up in my lap. Ok so she got the things. Put them in a cardboard box. She bought no waterer or feed dishes but she did buy feed thank GOD and she put all this in my room. Yea great. Cause every 16 year old wants to share their room with ucky duck and goose babies. I put the little farts in the bathtub with a bit of newspaper. Easy to clean, turn that vent on to help with the smell, easy to wash them off, Nice gentle mist to wash all the poop off and a bit of time under the heat lamp and they were happy not stinky kids again. Yes we lost the bathtub for a bit but it was worth it. To make them less afraid I would let them loose in the bathroom which thankfully had nice easy to clean tile. I would sit on the floor and sing Emlo's rubber ducky song. I spent a couple hours each day on the floor singing and talking to them. Before long they were climbing up on me.

A couple weeks down the road the neighbors got the sight of me walking down the side walk beeping with young geese and ducks waddling behind me. I practiced with them in the yard. I was the momma so if I wanted them all with me I would start beeping like a maniac and they would all race and gather around my legs. I would sit outside in the evenings when they got older with 2 ducks sitting on my lap and 6 geese fighting for the privilege of warming my feet. lol

So moral of the story is the bathtub is your friend and ducks are so worth it in the end.