My Love Affair With Ducks...

[Mimi13]

Did you try bribing Ralphie Dux to lead the rest in?

I honestly think he was the reason they weren’t going in.

I am new to this whole duck thang, so I don’t know if they only mate in the water or anywhere. From everything I’ve read abound the Ralphie Dux, that amorous fool will be accommodating anywhere. But, but, but, but, my poor duckies would have no where to run to inside their house to escape his love!

And this is why I did not want a little boy! I raised two human ones and that was stressful at times. Now this dang duck.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Their communication is amazing. I have even seen now that they are picking up verbal alert cues from my rooster.

Speaking of all the sounds they make, I especially like Petey’s grunting noise. It’s too funny.

You mean that deep, piggy-like, sound that she makes when she got into your tomato patch?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Look how precious. It seems that mine were that size soooo long ago.

BTW, do those boards not get slippery?

Starting yesterday evening i hear quaxing! There are girls in the crowd!
And yes, sometimes those boards do get slippery, that's why during wet weather i must hose them down daily.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Tonight was the first night they did not go up. They were still in their pool. I had to force them to go in their house. Is there something I don’t know?

Even though I’m fairly certain nothing would happen to them (our GP/GS mix patrols literally all night long), their pool is not in a predator proof area. They were ticked that I stopped their floating party.

I have to herd in my ducks every evening! They won't go inside their duck house by themselves at all! Even if the weather is lousy and they are cold and tired they waiting for me to bring them to bed. I prepare them a bowl of food (greens, sunflower-seeds, cracked corn and cat-food) for dinner, let them taste and the say "Alle Enten gehen jetzt schlafen" (All ducks go to sleep now) and they turn around and then (usually) run into the house.
Ducks are not like chickens! Ducks love their freedom!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I honestly think he was the reason they weren’t going in.

I am new to this whole duck thang, so I don’t know if they only mate in the water or anywhere. From everything I’ve read abound the Ralphie Dux, that amorous fool will be accommodating anywhere. But, but, but, but, my poor duckies would have no where to run to inside their house to escape his love! ❤

And this is why I did not want a little boy! I raised two human ones and that was stressful at times. Now this dang duck.

They start mating in the water, but in the end they do "it" almost everywhere, especially in spring... And then the girls will become broody in early summer and quickly you will need a larger duck-house!
Don't be upset with little Ralphie, he will be a sweet drake, usually the Runner drakes are nice boys that protect their girls and find food for them.

 

[Mimi13]

They start mating in the water, but in the end they do "it" almost everywhere, especially in spring... And then the girls will become broody in early summer and quickly you will need a larger duck-house!
Don't be upset with little Ralphie, he will be a sweet drake, usually the Runner drakes are nice boys that protect their girls and find food for them.

I hope he’ll be a good one. I have had so many problems with bad cockerels/roosters. My luck just runs that way. And so far, out of this spring’s three hatchings, I know I’ve got 5 and possibly 7 males. And one is already trying to chase me.

 

[duluthralphie]

I hope he’ll be a good one. I have had so many problems with bad cockerels/roosters. My luck just runs that way. And so far, out of this spring’s three hatchings, I know I’ve got 5 and possibly 7 males. And one is already trying to chase me.

Just remember “Ralphie Dux are inedible” eating one will put you in hot water with the “Ralphie Dux Union” we will picket you. Have peaceful protests and riot if necessary.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I hope he’ll be a good one. I have had so many problems with bad cockerels/roosters. My luck just runs that way. And so far, out of this spring’s three hatchings, I know I’ve got 5 and possibly 7 males. And one is already trying to chase me.

Curry rooster with rice and mixed vegetables! - No poultry is chasing me unpunished.

 

[duluthralphie]

Curry rooster with rice and mixed vegetables! - No poultry is chasing me unpunished.

As long as it’s not a Ralphie Rooster...

 

[Flockincrazy]

...and Their Love Affair With Water!

This is my second day owning ducks and I have fallen head over heels in love with them!

Those precious little peeps, the interesting looking bills, the ever so delicate looking webbed feet, and those expressive eyes with their heads cocked sideways peering up at me. Oh, and did I mention their little love ‘bites’ on my neck and lips (OUCH!) That I must not let continue so I suppose I have to stop kissing them. I know, I know, I’m not supposed to kiss them, but the way I look at it my chances are better catching Covid 19 from a stranger than catching salmonella from my baby ducklings.

My little Saxony duckling, Twinkle, is seeing the world straight today for the very first time. Since arriving home a little over 24 hours ago, she has been in a sort of vertigo state, staggering, stumbling, turning in circles, and not being able to hold her head straight.

With the help of several BYC members giving me suggestions and instructions to help her mend, she appears to be on the road to recovery...the road to being a normal, healthy, funny little duck.

I will continue my journey of being a First Time Duck Owner/Spring 2020 duck thread here. My initial thread can be found here for all the background story of My Love Affair With Ducks!

Love at first sight! View attachment 2072190

Just wait till they start to quack just like a roosters crow it cracks like they are going through puberty its so funny