Michigan

[cristy17]

Good morning everyone! I have questions for the duck people on here. I let our 3 (2 drakes and a hen) free-range. With all the rain and melting snow, we have a "swamp" in the back which is also in our neighbors back yards - roughly an acre in area all overgrown long grass downed trees - you get the idea. Well, last night the ducks didn't come home. Usually Louie #1 drake will come when called. we couldn't hear them at all; all 3 are VERY loud and vocal. Has anyone had this happen before and did they come home? My DD - they're her ducks - is besides herself with worry that the ducks won't come back. Could the hen Quakers have looked for a nesting spot? Or could they have heard the wild ducks and followed?

 

[chickflick]

Good Day eveyone! Got to get going and get to Lansing. Got an extra hr of sleep cuz I have to go to x DIL today instead of son's house. She wanted me to get there early enough to take GD to school. Wants me to drive an hr to take her child to school when she lives 2 blocks away from school. She wanted to sleep in and not have to get dressed to take GD. Huh....I don't think so!! I really do know why they are divorced!

Have a good day!

 

[wyliefarms]

Quote:
I am not sure! Yesterday my daughter Emily let her call ducks out of their pen and they flew a little ways. Emily got really nervous and herded them back to the coop.
Maybe they found a better patch of water and are enjoying that. I hope they will be home when the sun comes up

 

[cristy17]

thank you. My DD is outside right now calling them. Since none of the ducks can fly - all are heavy ducks and the young drake has a gimpy wing, I don't have to worry about that. Its just how far can they walk/waddle?

 

[Olive Hill]

They can walk a LONG way; they can even RUN a long way. I had a giant Pekin that could keep up with my very quick free range chickens without any problem and his feet never left the ground. I hope they come back soon.

Are there many predators in the area? Do you think something might have grabbed them up yesterday?

 

[cristy17]

We found them. I think they were actually lost! My DD and I walked the swamp for about an hour, calling and shaking a feed can. Finally coming out by our neighbors we found them in their side yard -- about a 1000yards from our property. they walked up a puddle ( for lack of a better word) thru thick brush, grass, and low cedars. they were soooo happy to see us; so was DD. they are now in the coop with lots of hay and warm water. no more roaming for these guys!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Hello all,
Thanks for all the prayers concerning my niece. Good news, she does not have a blood clot.

Sarah, so sorry to hear about Rachels hen.
Mom2. I sure hope things will start getting better for you, you are in my prayers.

Hillbilly Rooster, I am glad that school is going well for you. Sorry that your wife got laid off but it is good that you can find the positive in things.

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning out the chicken coop and just enjoying being outside. My chickens were happy too! I do have a pullet/hen that vanished one day last week only to show up the next morning. A couple nights later she was gone again but did not show up the next morning. However the second morning DH said he saw her out by the van. The other chickens had not been let out yet so he knew it was her. I went looking for her but she got spooked and flew off and i have not seen her since. She will be 20 weeks old tomorrow and I was wondering if she could have started to lay and got broody at the same time, or maybe she just likes living in the lumber piles, which is where she was hiding when she got spooked. I have never had this happen before.
I hope everyone has a good day!

 

[briana1975]

Looks like a great day outside. I was telling my kids this morning we are just gonna enjoy these beautiful days as long as they last.

HBH is sure hope your hen comes back.

Cristy glad the ducks are home safe and sound.

Last night the mama hen started plucking feathers out of her chicks. Bloodied them up a little. Luckly my husband was in the basement and saw her. She is back outside with the other chickens and seems very happy now. The poor chicks are all ok, but in the brooder with a light and at bedtime they were just peeping for her. They finally settled down and seem to be doing fine now.

 

[DaughterOfEve]

Another great day. I have an abused pheonix rooster who needs a home. (My hens are abusing him). After his last molt, he had a couple of blood feathers bleed when they came in, so the girls relentlessly pecked at him. Daily pine tar and blue kot could not discourage them. He is now 2 weeks in solitary confinement waiting for his tail feather to come in completely. I fear that when I try to reintroduce him, they are just going to continue pecking at him. He will not fight them. He LOVES his girls and gives up all his treats to them when he find something. He is aggressive toward people unless worked with daily. There is not much point of the stew pot. He is a skinny mini.

 

[LoveMyChicklets]

Awww, those Phoenix roos are gorgeous! That's too bad those bad ole' girls are picking on him.