Need a new home for 2 ducks, Central IL

[RachG75]

It really breaks my heart, but I need to find new living arrangements for a 2 yr-old Pekin Female and a 1 yr-old Fawn and White Runner. We just had new neighbors move in and they have 2 Labs that really want to get to them. They usually free-ranged, and seeing them locked up all the time just seems like torture. The are very tame and sweet. I also have a lot of equipment we can talk about going with them. A pond, stock tank, house, dishes, heated water buckets/bowls, etc. I will drive fairly far if it means a good home where they won't be butchered. I'm in Mackinaw, IL...between Peoria and Bloomington.

 

[llombardo]

How do ducks usually do with intergrating? I have a 3.5 month old female Peking, 4 month old male khaki and 4 month old female khaki. They are inseparable. Are they loud? My Peking is louder then roosters. I built a 20x20 enclosure and split that in half(one side chickens/one side ducks) the house is 4x4 feet and they have plenty of room in the house at night. They live their house, they go in when it rains too. They have a pool but don't use it. I'm not sure the space I have is adequate? I built the covered enclosure because they can't free range safely, but mine are happy and content--they usually stay in one area(weirdos perhaps?) They are pets and I got them for eggs. I'm in Illinois, I don't think you are very close. I'm near St Charles, IL. I do g have a quarantine area. Not sure how it works with ducks?

This is the run and house

 

[Lil Drake40]

Look at those faces they sure are adorable. Hope you and @RachG75 can work something out. @llombardo

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sorry to hear this, have you been on the Il thread at Where am I where are you? might find someone there. Hope you can find them a forever home.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@llombardo I have read that ducks are fairly easy to integrate compared to chickens. You would probably start with a look no touch set up and then go from there.

 

[RachG75]

How do ducks usually do with intergrating? I have a 3.5 month old female Peking, 4 month old male khaki and 4 month old female khaki. They are inseparable. Are they loud? My Peking is louder then roosters. I built a 20x20 enclosure and split that in half(one side chickens/one side ducks) the house is 4x4 feet and they have plenty of room in the house at night. They live their house, they go in when it rains too. They have a pool but don't use it. I'm not sure the space I have is adequate? I built the covered enclosure because they can't free range safely, but mine are happy and content--they usually stay in one area(weirdos perhaps?) They are pets and I got them for eggs. I'm in Illinois, I don't think you are very close. I'm near St Charles, IL. I do g have a quarantine area. Not sure how it works with ducks?

This is the run and house

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Llombardo...I'm sorry I haven't replied. I just couldn't bring myself to. I still haven't figured out how to tell my son.

That's weird my Pekin and her sister (no longer with us) have always been so Quiet! The runner is definitely not quiet, not really loud, but she's just always talking to me and she has a ton to say. I never hear them except when they come to the back door begging. Lol.

Looked into spacing recommendations... 3-5 Sq ft per duck for the house and 10-20 Sq ft per duck for the run/yard.

My girls hormones are CRAZY and I think they'd really like a boyfriend. Especially my Pekin, whenever I'm outside she approaches me and when I pet her she assumes "the position." Sorry I can't help you Opal!

Ive always heard ducks are much easier going with the pecking order. They are more like, "the more swimming buddies, the better." Mine are always in their pond when not foraging. I throw a head of lettuce in the pond every morning or frozen peas; it doesn't last long! They love combining their 2 favorite activities...swimming and eating. What do you think? I'd make the drive for a good, safe home. It looks like you did a really nice job.

 

[llombardo]

How old is your son? I feel so bad. There is no way to keep them safe from that dog?

I think the space is there. I'm not opposed to free ranging the Pekings together while I am right on top of them. They are not hard to catch..lol

I do have several dogs--they do not have access to the ducks or chickens but they do watch over them. Well I take that back, there are two that have been with the ducks. The poor rooster might never be able to mate because the pups are right there when one of the girls sound like they are in distress. My one rooster actually looks after the ducks too.

It would have to be on a Sat. I'm not sure how fast you were thinking? I do have several days off in mid July that would give me time to work with them, but that might be to long?

My guys are Sunny, Lucy and Ricky. What are the girls names?

 

[llombardo]

My 14 yr old pup--mother of all mothers

My golden-the gentle giant. She actually was biting his behind and trying to jump on him

Always on watch--making sre things are ok

 

[MROO]

Have you looked into an outdoor dog run? If they're designed to keep dogs in, they would surely keep them out, as well. They come in all sizes. A 10x10' run with a tarp-and-frame cover runs about $350 around here (MidAtantic.) They come bigger, too. An electric poultry fence might work, as well. It'll keep out coyotes, coons and foxes, so why not labradors? Either option would be expensive, but your son would get to keep his pets.

And if your neighbors question the fence, tell 'em why it's going up. You don't have to be nasty about it, just honest. You're worried about the safety of pets you love as much as they love their dogs ... who really, (and legally,) need to to be confined to their own yard! Years ago, my new neighbor's lab came flying into my yard and nearly killed my dog. That time, they paid the vet bill - nearly $1,000 worth! The second time, they paid to put up a dividing fence. We became good, solid friends after that! Maybe your neighbors would do the same, or at least split the cost, to keep the peace.

There's a reason our folks used to say, "Good fences make good neighbors." Fences prevent bad things from happening, like untended dogs going out for a duck dinner and neighbors resenting each other for years!

 

[Miss Lydia]