Live in Suburbia/City area??

[Mom 2em All]

Quote:
uhh, my ducks ARE happy. They have a covered house, grass, bushes, flowers, vegetables, a 10 foot by 8 foot pond, fountain, running water- and two deep dishes of never-ending food whenever they want it.

I live in a suburb outside of Detroit. I'd love to live on acres and acres in the country somewhere, but unfortunately, that is not an option.

 

[Bananarose24]

Wow, lots of great responses!

Well, we have decided to get 3 more Muscovies tomorrow-2 female, one male. We will not be letting any eggs hatch for at least a few years.
I know the ordinance for my area, and thus far the ducks are really really quiet. No Quacking, they barely make a noise.. We will see what happens when we bring the other 3 home. And so far all the neighbors we've told have been really cool about it. And we're telling them all they are welcome to some eggs in the spring.. a Great Bribe!

So, I think we will just see what happens. It looks like unless there is a formal complaint we should be just fine. My only worry, is the 2 houses behind us are up for sale.. when we get new neighbors we will have to make a nice introduction and give them a heads up about the ducks.. and promise them some eggs of course.. bribe them not to say anything to anyone

 

[Broodica]

Quote:
uhh, my ducks ARE happy. They have a covered house, grass, bushes, flowers, vegetables, a 10 foot by 8 foot pond, fountain, running water- and two deep dishes of never-ending food whenever they want it.

I live in a suburb outside of Detroit. I'd love to live on acres and acres in the country somewhere, but unfortunately, that is not an option.

I don't know about living out in the country, Mom. We do and we have to worry about hawks, eagles, fox, coyotes, bobcats, bears, cougars, weasels, racoons....the list goes on. I am terrified of letting my guys free range out in the yard. You read about people losing their ducks and chickens to hawks and eagles even when they are standing 5 feet from the little darlings. Scares the beejeeburs out of me! I won't let them out except into a small, penned in area where I can hover over them...literally. I almost envy city/suburban people who can let them run around the yard without too much worry. Our coop/run/duck house area is built like a bunker!

 

[Bananarose24]

I live one mile from the City, and we just had 2 Ducks killed and 1 Severely injured by a Hawk Last Monday..
And one of my neighbors called us last night to let us know they had spotted a fox at the end of our street..
So, we have a lot of the same worries as country folk.. Its no easier to live near a city, then it is to live in the country... I've learned that pretty quickly..

 

[Mom 2em All]

Quote:
Being in the suburbs, I don't have to worry about the large wildlife such as cougars, bears, weasels, eagles and the like- but there are some hawks that really try hard. There are alot of wires that go across my yard and neighborhood- and they have a harder time maneuvering them/the trees so its not AS scary for me- but those hawks have still tried.

We get the occasional raccoon- not too much to really fret over because they have to go through so many backyards with dogs to actually get to my yard from any woods/field, that the numbers are very very low. Our weekly garbage bags do not get ransacked so I think we are pretty coon-free.

My ducks have it pretty lucky, they have no idea how scary it is out there in rural- life!

(bananarose- I bribe my neighbors with eggs, also!)

 

[Big Dreamer]

sounds like a little oasis everything around is bad and then your yard is heaven, lol. Sounds like a nice place

 

[Broodica]

I keep thinking of my back yard when we lived in the city and how perfect it would have been....but you are right - we had red-tailed hawks flying around there as well and LOTS of coons. They used to eat all my goldfish in our pond no matter what deterrents we put up. We lived near a slough, so there were also foxes/coyotes. OK...I take it back. I guess we all have our predator issues and I know I am a worry wort. I would just die if anything got any of my babies....my husband, the realist, says we would be very lucky if they all make it through to old age....pessimist!

ACK! I was so sorry for your duckies, Banana....but they'll be safe now with your new set-up

And I am so glad your injured gal is doing well. I didn't mean to imply that you had it easier. OK Open mouth insert foot!

I have a 16yo just getting his license. I feel the same way about him. I only want to allow him to drive an armored tank while encased in a bubble suit!

 

[Blooming chicks]

I live in a small suburb outside Philly too and my neighbors said they didn't even know I have poultry in my backyard when I brought them over eggs. I took them all over to see my ducks and chickens and they though it was a cool idea. A couple weeks later I went back and asked them all again if they heard or smelled them or if anything about my birds bothered them and it was a resounding NO. So I think as long as you keep them clean and share eggs, you'll be okay. Oh yeah, hawks are a huge problem here. We also have the occasional skunk and racoon. Good luck to you, especially with that neighbor

 

[Bananarose24]

Broodica--its All Good! We all have our troubles with predators.. and I'm sure its an ongoing thing..
Its amazing that you havent lost any of your little duckies living out in the country!

If we ever lose another, I cant even imagine what I will feel, I'm so attached to these girls now.. they are my babies I love them

 

[Broodica]

We haven't lost any because they are still in the house - a blessing and a curse as they say. The oldest are only 3 weeks and just starting to get tail feathers in. All 4 of them have now been relegated to the bath tub. See how that works. Messy little creatures!!! The chicks are soooooo sad to have their brooder mates gone, tho. But I had just about had it with cleaning out wood shavings, dog training pads, cookie sheets, rubber mats 4x a day, not to mention the trails of wood shavings all over the house,

Here's to new houses and runs, predator proofness, and lot's of duckies (and chicks too).