Lock up

[The Duck ABC's]

Quote:
I have 4 large hunting dogs and they hang around with my ducks. You have to socialize them when they are young so they see each other part of the pack. My ducks now free range on 22 acres and the dogs go with them. They even swim together.
Also be aware that geese are not to fond of children. They may go after your daughter and that can be very frightening to a child. Ducks are so much easier, plus you will get all the eggs to eat. Keep an ear on their voices, you will need to know how many drakes you have in your duck flock. They are getting close to the age where you can tell by their voices.

 

[Yetti]

Its interesting that you say to let the dog get friendly with them. I found out from the neighbor today he was walking the drive with his two cats and one jumped the fence and was heading towards the chicks the other day. he said that "Pork chop" had chased the cat away and back to its own yard. sounds like they are starting to get some love from our dog.

 

[The Duck ABC's]

Sounds like your dog is already protecting his new family. Try to have small walks in the yard with the ducks following you with a bowl of peas in the hand and the dog around. Say no to the dog, if he/she comes to close to the ducks and praise it when it listens and walks off. The daily work will makes it easy for all of them. Obviously you cannot leave them unattended, but the daily routine will teach the dog that the ducks are not toys but part of the pack. I do that with my ducklings and it works very good. My dogs have lost all interest by the time the ducks are 3 months old. They will protect the ducks, but not bother them. My youngest dog, a golden retriever, loves to swim with the ducks in the pond we have. Really sweet. They all roam the meadow together and I never have to worry about the dogs doing something stupid.

 

[Yetti]

well so far so good. did some calling today and found a local supplier for my Geese. so now I have 3 m/f Embden sets coming on the 11th of May. can't say its been easy, but after a couple calls I learned what not to ask. some folks didn't even know what they sold.

ABC's, I have been doing just that. walking the dog and the ducks together till the ducks give up. then I just correct the dog if she tries to put pressure on the little guys. she's being pretty good about it. she jumped in my office chair I keep in the barn to rest my bad knee. I wheeled her over to the duck pen and let her look over the side eye level to the birds. they were freaking out at first but then settled down after a minute or so.