Pekin Duck Club!

[misschickenlittle]

Went to the semi-local animal swap today... Came home with a crested pekin!

She's beautiful!! Pretty sure her name is... Ok, haven't decided yet...

She's a year old and laying eggs so, I'm excited about having duck eggs already!

Now, we have 2 & 2. Little better ratio but could still use more hens... How many per drake is best? I don't think I've seen that answer.(if I have -

)

 

[kbh82310]

I wanted to try sand cause my silkies love to make a snack out of shavings and I hate picking up shavings that me or the dogs drag thru the house. Straw was my second choice but I was worried about all the water from the ducks. I think I'm gonna get one of those 5 gal dog water bowls and put that in like a turkey roasting pan to help cut down on the water getting everywhere. I saw it on a few videos and it looked like it does the job.

BarredRockGirls - How big is your coop? Meyers is where I ordered my chicks and ducks also. They should be here around aug 8th

 

[The Howards]

Now, we have 2 & 2. Little better ratio but could still use more hens... How many per drake is best? I don't think I've seen that answer.(if I have -

)

I'm pretty sure I have read that it is best to have at least 2 hens per drake. That way he doesn't over 'use' a single female.

 

[The Howards]

I have 14 chickens and 3 ducks on sand in my coop ... Best decision I ever made was getting rid of shavings and switching ...
No smell. Nails are kept trimmed , super easy to clean , super absorbent , also used as grit, super cheap - $7 a truckload . Awesome O annnnd I just got 2 American buff goslings today haha yay they will join the coop craziness

I got my chickens and Pekins from Meyer hatchery in Polk, Ohio . LOVE THEM . Awesome hatchery .

Thanks, good to know about the sand. Had been considering it for a while. We just put up a new coop, 10x12, so far the straw has worked but think sand would be a much better option.

chickery-do....By the by, we have ordered from Meyer 3 different times (twice for chicks and once for ducks) we have been very happy with our girls. There is a thread on meyer orders where you can check out pics, mainly chicks but some ducks on there too. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/738837/meyer-hatchery-chicken-pics-anyone/1030#post_11328279

 

[countrygirl74]

I'm pretty sure I have read that it is best to have at least 2 hens per drake. That way he doesn't over 'use' a single female.

I would suggest 3 as a minimum... just my humble opinion.


On the "bedding" issue, I have heard lots of good things about sand. I use shavings myself. I started out with straw and shavings mixed on a dirt floor - decided after the straw composted that I wasn't going to get anymore because it doesn't dry out as well and can harbor mites. So, now I just use shavings. The benefit of using straw, hay, leaves, shavings, etc. is that you have a great compost pile when you clean out your run once or twice a year! Mine do get some supervised free-ranging daily so they get out to play in the dirt and get grit, etc. Otherwise, you would need to provide some grit for them if you use a deep litter method. You wouldn't have to provide grit with sand - a benefit of sand.

 

[DenverDucky]

I can't remember where I read it (on the internet though) but I recently read that they "bob" their heads when they are having a conversation. It's different than chit-chat. I've notice Quack-Quack do it when we've been talking back and forth for a bit. It's more intense than just a "Hi". Idk. It seems to ring true with him anyways. Next time they start to bob their heads pay attention to see if they're really having a conversation with you.

I bet that's true hah!

So how the heck am I supposed to put the diaper on the duck? I bought a duck diaper so Aflac could come inside...by the time I get the one leg in he's gotten the other one out...is there some magic technique?

I haven't tried this kind, I actually messaged her earlier asking about diapers for Soleil lol. The only thing I can think of is if you are putting from bottom to top, try putting it over the head first and see if that helps. Good luck

The diaper harnesses I have (and I think most of us) don't have leg holes. You put the neck through the neck hole bring the pouch under and through the legs, pull the poop pouch up and fasten the tail velcro and latch, then you bring the back strap up (move the wing tips if you have just get the strap under) and fasten the latch on the back of his neck. . . Good luck

x2

my girls are getting sisters!!!!! geese !!! i pick up 2 -day old- Buff females tomorrow . yay! their names will be LADY & LILY

Here is the post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...apers-harnesses-great-prices-check-them-out-2

I'm suppose to snap them on over the back but I can't get Aflac to hold still long enough...

try turning Alac so hes facing you, and put that arm around him. I use this hold to put Soleil's harness on it and it keeps her still and calm

My husband and I decided to get ducks and I've wanted a welsh harlequin and Swedish for awhile now and my hubby wanted a pekin and right before I place the order he changed his mind and got a Cayuga. I was kinda upset he changed his mind since I grew up with 2 Pekins that lived on the lake behind my house and would hang out with me a few times a week while I would play in the yard. My hubby only wanted 2 ducks but the place I wanted to order from had a 3 duck min. I wanna add a pekin and use the packing peanut excuse but i was sup to order only 4 chicks and somehow 2 "extras" found their way to the cart. So idk how I would explain 2 extra chickens and a extra duck

Hah if he's happy with his new babies why shouldn't you enjoy yours

Add me : I have 4 males need females can u help? wild animals got them

Welcome! That's sad! What happened?

add me, add me, ADD ME!

Woohoo! Exciiittteeeeed!

Yup, got 2 Pekins, 2 Rouen (I think) and a smaller Khaki now. Cute as buttons, now I just need to figure out what to name the Khaki, since I got her only this morning from the feed store...
Decisions, decisions...

What did you guys all name your duckies?
My biggest Pekin is Susie (the screamer), the smaller one is Gunter (after my uncle). The bigger Rouen is Lola, the smaller one Tina Tykes and still clueless on my Khaki, and I don't have the sex yet. I will wait on that for another week I think. After the ride in the car don't wanna stress her out too much on her first day...

Welcome

Hahaha ! They are ADORABLE! They already follow me and scream when I leave their sight <3
I changed the names a lil to LADY & LUCY

Sitting on me lol

Cuties!!!!

Here's my Pekin. It doesn't really have a name but gets called Whitey most of the time.

I bought two yellow ducklings from Atwoods thinking they would both be Pekins but one ended up being a fawn and white runner.

Welcome

here is my pekin. It still has his baby feathers. I bought him so my other duck would have a friend. ( I'm not sure its a him, I call both of them hims) I have a few baby's I hatch too. I am thinking I had him for 2 months now. He still has his baby voice too. He is very big too. When do they start growing?

Welcome! What are your ducks names?

 

[BarredRockGirls]

I wanted to try sand cause my silkies love to make a snack out of shavings and I hate picking up shavings that me or the dogs drag thru the house. Straw was my second choice but I was worried about all the water from the ducks. I think I'm gonna get one of those 5 gal dog water bowls and put that in like a turkey roasting pan to help cut down on the water getting everywhere. I saw it on a few videos and it looked like it does the job.

BarredRockGirls - How big is your coop? Meyers is where I ordered my chicks and ducks also. They should be here around aug 8th

I have an 8/8/10 coop all are fully free ranged all day 7am -8pm they only sleep in it but the chickens have 5 nesting boxes about waist high and the pekins have a corner nest on the floor they all cuddle in the 2 geese will share another nest in another corner once they are old enough

 

[chickery-do]

Hahaha ! They are ADORABLE! They already follow me and scream when I leave their sight <3

I changed the names a lil to LADY & LUCY

Sitting on me lol

I wish I could of used the raspberry guy to you! But, I'm on my tablet w guys (?) For company! !

 

[chickery-do]

Yahoo my babe just came an tapped my knee! 7 min ago we did the peas, so...who knows what hes askn but it was closer than 3ft!,,,,

 

[BarredRockGirls]

Yahoo my babe just came an tapped my knee! 7 min ago we did the peas, so...who knows what hes askn but it was closer than 3ft!,,,,

Yay !!! ;p