My miniature waterfowl kingdom is complete (for now)

[TSOWOATNKC]

As of this afternoon we have;

Ducks-21
Pekin: 4F/2M
Runner 2F/1M
Magpie 2F/2M
Buff 3F/1M
Cayuga 3F/1M


Geese -7
Toulouse 2F/1M
African 1F
Buff 1M
White Chinese 1F/1M

Plus a dozen chickens (6 RIR Pullets, and 6 Buff Orpington).

I’m keeping an eye out for more female ducks if possible. They’d have to be types we already have rather than new ones. This means my flock can’t grow too fast since everyone seems to have Muscovy around here. I can separate my males and females if anyone gets too aggressive since I have a little over 5 acres to work with.

I’m trying to sell or trade our chickens, and last night someone sketchy was texting me about a trade. I got the impression they were going to try and catch some wild mallard to trade me for my chickens! Then when I said no, they started pulling photos off the internet of random ducks trying to convince me they had them, but I could see the mouse arrows in the photo and they couldn’t tell me what types of ducks they had. I’m ignoring them now.

The Magpie we picked up Wednesday night has laid three eggs so far! Either just one of the females, both of them. Less than 14 hours after they got here (and while still in the meet and greet pen) they laid an egg! I couldn’t believe it.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Any pics of your flock? I love to see flocks and their setups!
So - is that a no to adding muscovies to your kingdom?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I can’t quite get the whole pen in the photo.

No, no Muscovies. I personally think they’re unpleasant looking and I live in prime waterfowl hunting country, so if they flew off they wouldn’t last long. I walk them out to the field most days, rotating where they are. Plus there’s a wetland on the other side of that line of trees. There’s another stock tank (they all hold 75-80 gallons) in the meet and greet pen, and another in the mobile pen in the field too. Once the littles are moved I plan to move those 110 gallon stock tanks out there too. There’s bear on our property at the moment, so no field time. The bears come for all our berries, but easy captive bird snacks might be too irresistible. This is off my deck; I can throw things into the yard if I want, it’s that close. Normally when the waterfowl are out in the field the chickens get to run free in the fenced area. We add fresh grass everywhere every few days, and fork off the old to compost.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Nice set up! What is the open pen with shavings? Compost?

I understand about the look of muscovies. I debated and went back and forth about them. But, after researching, I decided to go for it. They are very interesting and full of duck personality. They aren't as skiddish as some duck breeds. And, if I ever wanted, they go broody pretty easily. As well, a byc member in my area had them - so I didn't have to worry about ordering and the shipping of ducks. Plus, I have grown to like their looks and find them pretty and handsome (my drake).
I clipped my muscovies wings - well only one side of each set of flight feathers. However, they haven't been out of their run yet. They are too hesitant about leaving their secure area.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Pine shavings, grass, straw, diatomaceous earth, peat....basically used bedding material. We need to turn it, let it decompose a bit more then move it to fill dips elsewhere on our property. They all love to sit in it at night and stare at my husband as he arrives home from work.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I really can’t get over how Muscovy look. Ideally I’d get enough females for every breed to be 3-1 female/male. If I added another type I’d want 4 more. My type A personality really likes good ratios. If I could, I’d get 2 more Magpie tomorrow because that 2/2 drives me nuts. The closest Magpie are like 2 hours away, so I’ll deal.

 

[Jpat]

Came here for peeper pictures. Iam happy