OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[Luv Ducks]

I want to add a couple of little Call Ducks to my flock. I am glad that all is well with your flock and you Mark. I think I am going to get them from Metzer online through the mail because the ones that hatched near me didn't make it. They are hard to hatch out and I want a particular color. They will be unsexed so hopefully not both boys. What kind of ducks did you get Mark? I remember you used to have Mallards. My Mallard has a new drake so I am not sure if she will mate or not and she only throws off males anyhow so I don't care if she does not. Drakes are so hard to rehome.

 

[swampfox440]

Peking's are great ducks! Years ago, Susie had a flock and one disappeared we thought the racoons got her, we looked everywhere for her. She was not seen for what seemed a long time then one day she showed up with a boat load of ducklings. I have to say these were the ones that are supposed to be too big to breed, go figure! It wasn't until sometime later, we discovered her nest was under my brother's snowmobile cover. Nature always finds a way.

 

[swampfox440]

I want to add a couple of little Call Ducks to my flock. I am glad that all is well with your flock and you Mark. I think I am going to get them from Metzer online through the mail because the ones that hatched near me didn't make it. They are hard to hatch out and I want a particular color. They will be unsexed so hopefully not both boys. What kind of ducks did you get Mark? I remember you used to have Mallards. My Mallard has a new drake so I am not sure if she will mate or not and she only throws off males anyhow so I don't care if she does not. Drakes are so hard to rehome.

I have to say Metzer is a great place to deal with from my own experience with them. They hold true and honest.

 

[swampfox440]

I have to tell you folks something! Yesterday after I talked with you folks, I went out to feed and was devastated. My whole flock was dead! all except for one hen Mallard! Apparently, I didn't latch the top latch and the coons managed to jimmy the bottom latch open. I have to make changes before I get anymore. The one hen is traumatized and runs from me! all the other birds that free range were untouched. I have a 20' x 20' dog kennel for the run, but I always lock them up at night! There had to be more than one coon because they were pulled through the fence and the heads were missing. I set a bucket of dog proof traps when I got home last night. I am done raising wild ducks. when I get more, they will be Rouen's. at this moment I am trying to recover from the loss. The one female was the last of Susie's ducks, it hurts bad because Susie passed away from cancer a year and a half ago. that duck was 11 years old and still laying great. It will take me a while to get over this one. Love you all and talk later.

 

[tripletfeb]

I have to tell you folks something! Yesterday after I talked with you folks, I went out to feed and was devastated. My whole flock was dead! all except for one hen Mallard! Apparently, I didn't latch the top latch and the coons managed to jimmy the bottom latch open. I have to make changes before I get anymore. The one hen is traumatized and runs from me! all the other birds that free range were untouched. I have a 20' x 20' dog kennel for the run, but I always lock them up at night! There had to be more than one coon because they were pulled through the fence and the heads were missing. I set a bucket of dog proof traps when I got home last night. I am done raising wild ducks. when I get more, they will be Rouen's. at this moment I am trying to recover from the loss. The one female was the last of Susie's ducks, it hurts bad because Susie passed away from cancer a year and a half ago. that duck was 11 years old and still laying great. It will take me a while to get over this one. Love you all and talk later.

Oh, Mark! I am so sorry! What a devastating loss for you.

 

[swampfox440]

Oh, Mark! I am so sorry! What a devastating loss for you.

Thank you, @tripletfeb I'm still in shock! I set traps last night and nothing. These Racoons are getting smarter! For them to jimmy that bottom bolt, I was stunned to say the least. It got extremely cold last night, they were not moving. I'm adding a third bolt halfway up the door. I had not put up the electric fencing because of the cold and wouldn't you know it! I cried when I saw Susie's last hen dead. We bought her ducks at T.S. 11 years ago! I think they came from Hoovers, and I have never seen in my all days, ducks that laid so many eggs.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I have to tell you folks something! Yesterday after I talked with you folks, I went out to feed and was devastated. My whole flock was dead! all except for one hen Mallard! Apparently, I didn't latch the top latch and the coons managed to jimmy the bottom latch open. I have to make changes before I get anymore. The one hen is traumatized and runs from me! all the other birds that free range were untouched. I have a 20' x 20' dog kennel for the run, but I always lock them up at night! There had to be more than one coon because they

Oh Mark, I am so terribly sorry to hear this. I had my two babies this past fall get eaten by coons. I set traps and caught the two culprits and have not so far had anymore problems. I can't imagine how badly you feel as I know how hurt I was to find my little two eaten by them. How many did you have? I still have my two Mallard girls and one Mixed Mallard. I just ordered two little Call ducks from Metzer a little while ago but they will stay in the house until practically full grown.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you, @tripletfeb I'm still in shock! I set traps last night and nothing. These Racoons are getting smarter! For them to jimmy that bottom bolt, I was stunned to say the least. It got extremely cold last night, they were not moving. I'm adding a third bolt halfway up the door. I had not put up the electric fencing because of the cold and wouldn't you know it! I cried when I saw Susie's last hen dead. We bought her ducks at T.S. 11 years ago! I think they came from Hoovers, and I have never seen in my all days, ducks that laid so many eggs.

That had to hurt so badly Mark, I am so terribly sorry about this. I got a new trap for coons off of Amazon and baited it with hotdogs and marshmallows and caught my two the next night.

 

[swampfox440]

That had to hurt so badly Mark, I am so terribly sorry about this. I got a new trap for coons off of Amazon and baited it with hotdogs and marshmallows and caught my two the next night.

Thank you! @Luv Ducks

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you! @Luv Ducks

You are most welcome Mark.