- Mar 25, 2013
- 24
- 3
- 24
Hello all you fellow poultry lovers! I finally did it!!! I finally took the plunge a week and a half ago. I was in Rural King (we live in Central IL), saw the chicks and ducklings as I do every year, and I bought 6 Araucanas pullets and 3 Pekin ducks. Never mind that I have nowhere outside (yet) to house them. What are minor details when you're staring down at adorable little puffs of down? Can I get a witness?
Being the Midwest and still winter, I decided to house the chicks and ducks in our guest bathroom. The ducks currently reside in the bathtub with a dishpan of water and a stainless steel mini bucket of crumble duck food. Pekin ducks are mega-poopers-extraordinaire, so this setup allows periodic washing down of the floor of the tub, as well as a daily much needed lukewarm bath where there is much flinging of water and preening. These ducks always have enough water to immerse their heads and allow them to swallow their food (both essential). The ducks have tripled in size in the week and a half we've had them. No joke! They grow like weeds....eat like horses.....and poop like......things that poop a lot! lololol
The 6 Araucanas chicks are in a Pack-n-Play lined with a bathtowel. They have a chick feeder that keeps anyone from bullying anyone else, as well as a dish of CLEAN water, some diatomaceous earth to eat and tromp around in (dustbath eventually?) a small bowl of mixed course grains, including flax meal, and a stick from outdoors to perch on. The towel is rolled up on one end, and that's by far the favorite place to perch. They are getting their feathers, and a bit of low-level flying is taking place. They've doubled in size since we got them. They are lively and friendly and funny. A heater and heat lamp keep the room the appropriate temperature. We keep the door closed to preserve the warmth and to keep our cats out.....they are mighty interested to see what's in there.
I posted my idea for a thrifty, self-cleaning chicken coop already. I'd value everyone's constructive input. As soon as these kids move outside I plan to get more ducks and chicks. Pekin duck eggs are gynormous and delicious. I'd like 2-3 more females, as I currently have 2 males and 1 female (they come unsexed, so you get what you get). I'd like 12 more pullets. The jury is out on getting a rooster. I don't like the noise, but if we ever want to allow a hen to raise a clutch of chicks, something tells me we MIGHT need a rooster! lololol
BTW, Pekin ducks are the same as the Aflac duck and are large and flightless. They are yellow and downy as ducklings, then become white w/an orange beak. They're VERY amusing and friendly!
Great to be a part of the flock!
Mary Courtney <><
Being the Midwest and still winter, I decided to house the chicks and ducks in our guest bathroom. The ducks currently reside in the bathtub with a dishpan of water and a stainless steel mini bucket of crumble duck food. Pekin ducks are mega-poopers-extraordinaire, so this setup allows periodic washing down of the floor of the tub, as well as a daily much needed lukewarm bath where there is much flinging of water and preening. These ducks always have enough water to immerse their heads and allow them to swallow their food (both essential). The ducks have tripled in size in the week and a half we've had them. No joke! They grow like weeds....eat like horses.....and poop like......things that poop a lot! lololol
The 6 Araucanas chicks are in a Pack-n-Play lined with a bathtowel. They have a chick feeder that keeps anyone from bullying anyone else, as well as a dish of CLEAN water, some diatomaceous earth to eat and tromp around in (dustbath eventually?) a small bowl of mixed course grains, including flax meal, and a stick from outdoors to perch on. The towel is rolled up on one end, and that's by far the favorite place to perch. They are getting their feathers, and a bit of low-level flying is taking place. They've doubled in size since we got them. They are lively and friendly and funny. A heater and heat lamp keep the room the appropriate temperature. We keep the door closed to preserve the warmth and to keep our cats out.....they are mighty interested to see what's in there.
I posted my idea for a thrifty, self-cleaning chicken coop already. I'd value everyone's constructive input. As soon as these kids move outside I plan to get more ducks and chicks. Pekin duck eggs are gynormous and delicious. I'd like 2-3 more females, as I currently have 2 males and 1 female (they come unsexed, so you get what you get). I'd like 12 more pullets. The jury is out on getting a rooster. I don't like the noise, but if we ever want to allow a hen to raise a clutch of chicks, something tells me we MIGHT need a rooster! lololol
BTW, Pekin ducks are the same as the Aflac duck and are large and flightless. They are yellow and downy as ducklings, then become white w/an orange beak. They're VERY amusing and friendly!
Great to be a part of the flock!
Mary Courtney <><
