New to this site again

[sourland]

Welcome home, and good luck this time round.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

It sounds like you're found out what other duck owners always do...they're messy but cute! I hope you enjoy them and best of luck with your new flock.

 

[Back onfarming]

So sorry for the loss of so many chickens. Did they share the same symptoms? Did you take any to a vet for a necropsy? That usually shows what the problem was, unless every death was different. It would also help a vet suggest a treatment plan.

If you want information on ducks, your best bet is to try the "Duck Forum."

Yes, they all had the same symptoms. They sounded like they had pneumonia but it was summer and it was pretty dry at the time and they stay locked up at night to avoid predators so I'm thinking it was one of the other diseases chickens get. All but 2 were ones that mommas hatched. I think the one momma I lost died of a broken heart because she was one of the original hens from the flock. She really loved her 2 babies and after the 2nd one died, I found her the next day in a nest dead. It was so sad. Another momma all of her chicks died but she was sick too. It was strange to me that all but those 2 of the grown flock never showed symptoms.
Regrettably I did not take them to the vet. At the time most of my extra money was spent on my med bills. It happened so fast with them too. So I couldn't afford the vet bill at the time. With that said, I definitely will in the future take one to the vet before I lose anymore. I did lose 1 of my new babies though but I think when the hens and rooster jump down off their perch it either got stomped from one of them, or I think it might have gotten trampled when a hawk tried to get in the pen and all of the chickens ran in the house. All the others are doing fine. They are definitely my little darlings because they run to me everytime I walk in. My coop is an eight by 10 building. Built tough with doors that no critter can get in and the outside pen is about the same size with wire over the top. Aldo I purchased a decoy owl yesterday and hoping that takes care of the chicken hawk scaring them.
Thanks for your reply and sorry for ramblin on.
Debora

 

[Back onfarming]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I wish you the best of luck with your flock and ducks.

Here’s a good link where you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/


There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.


Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie

Thanks for the welcome and your reply. I'll keep the link just in case any of you can't help with any questions.

 

[Back onfarming]

Thanks and yes I enjoy them but wish they weren't so skittish because I just want to love in them.

 

[Back onfarming]

We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops
and
Official BYC Coop Page Contest - Fall-Winter 2017

Thanks because I'm still trying to navigate lol! I can use all the help I can get.

 

[Back onfarming]

Hi and welcome back to BYC We're so happy you've decided to re-join us
So sorry for your losses Ducks are horrible in the brooder but are much cleaner once they grow up. A kiddie pool is a wonderful investment.

ETA: It's poring rain here right now... Chickens & Turkeys are not amused, ducks are in heaven running through the tall grass, swimming in the little creek and in general just being ducks.

Thanks for the reply the welcome. I've had my new additions in a cage in the garage since I bought them a month ago, but... they are growing fast! So yesterday I did buy them a kiddie pool and we'll be building them an outside pen this weekend and hoping to build a little deck with the kiddie pool separate from their new living courters. It's just too hard on me to clean their cage every night so I have a plan in mind for the set up so as to where their night time part will have a door to close them in so the critters don't get them and their food will remain outdoors so I'm not constantly working to keep them dry.
We're supposed to get rain this weekend so not so sure it's warm enough to let them play in it yet. We'll see. Glad to hear your babies are enjoying themselves.

 

[NonnasBabies]

I know you'll enjoy it here!!