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anyone living with dux is definitely in need of condolences, and maybe a mental health evaluation..


:gig
 
About three weeks ago Peaches began limping on her right leg. It seemed to improve over a few days. However, I noticed this past Saturday she was limping again, a bit worse. As they would all roam the yard she would lay down when the rest of the ducks didn’t, even to the point that she couldn’t keep up with the rest of the flock. I went ahead and put them all up in their run to limit her walking.

I have checked her foot and there are no cuts, scrapes, or punctures that I could see. Nor any swelling, as compared to the other leg. The pain seems to be in her hock/ankle(?) or even hip joint. She tends to hold her leg out to the side a lot. I brought her inside, unsure if I should confine her in a cage or not. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to keep her away from the others so I decided to rub some Arnicare Gel Homeopathic Medicine for muscle pain and stiffness on her leg. I held her for about 30 minutes and continued to massage her leg with the gel. When I took her back to the rest of the duckies and she immediately got into the pool. I‘m sure she is most comfortable in the water. I closed all of them in their run.

After being confined to a much smaller area for three solid days Peaches was walking much better, with only a duckie waddle. So this morning, I let them out into the yard. The other four made a quick getaway and Peaches was still in the pool. After I opened the other side of the run fence for her (the ducks were on the opposite side of the yard than the opened gate) she headed out, quacking up a storm. <Now what happened next was amazing.> The others came running toward her and she TOOK OFF FLYING! :eek: For real, she flew, body and feet a couple of feet, completely off the ground, about 30-40 feet to greet the rest of them. I thought these heavy ducks couldn’t fly, but she surely did. Peaches is my Buff Orpington. Is that normal?
 
I have a confession I feel I must share!

Yesterday I began watching videos on processing a duck. I knew it had to be different than processing a chicken. I feel the need to be prepared in case Ralphie dux turns out to be a terror (I really hope that’s not the case though).

I have slaughtered and processed many, many cockerels and didn’t have any problem.** But, at this particular time I do not think I could slaughter one of my ducks. They are just too dang sweet. However, if Ralphie dux turned into a chicken rapist I probably wouldn’t see him as a sweetie then.

(I have had to euthanize two of my hens because of illness. It was extremely difficult, especially my Buff Orpington, Butter, bless her fat-bottomed heart. They were not processed for meat.)

**I have had more cockerels than my fair share. In 2019, I hatched out 11 chicks, 4 pullets and 7 cockerels. So far this year I have hatched out 11 more chicks, 3 different broods, ranging from 11 to 4 1/2 weeks. Out of those, I am certain 6 are cockerels and possibly 8 are. :barnie What am I doing wrong? Only 3 are definitely pullets. Provided one in particular stays nice (I already have one wanting to duel with me) I will keep him, but the others are freezer bound.
 
I have a confession I feel I must share!

Yesterday I began watching videos on processing a duck. I knew it had to be different than processing a chicken. I feel the need to be prepared in case Ralphie dux turns out to be a terror (I really hope that’s not the case though).

I have slaughtered and processed many, many cockerels and didn’t have any problem.** But, at this particular time I do not think I could slaughter one of my ducks. They are just too dang sweet. However, if Ralphie dux turned into a chicken rapist I probably wouldn’t see him as a sweetie then.

(I have had to euthanize two of my hens because of illness. It was extremely difficult, especially my Buff Orpington, Butter, bless her fat-bottomed heart. They were not processed for meat.)

**I have had more cockerels than my fair share. In 2019, I hatched out 11 chicks, 4 pullets and 7 cockerels. So far this year I have hatched out 11 more chicks, 3 different broods, ranging from 11 to 4 1/2 weeks. Out of those, I am certain 6 are cockerels and possibly 8 are. :barnie What am I doing wrong? Only 3 are definitely pullets. Provided one in particular stays nice (I already have one wanting to duel with me) I will keep him, but the others are freezer bound.
I did worser than you!!!

I think I had 19 hatch last year, 4 girls.
 

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