Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[TillyPeeps]

You should consider making a duck pen like this: http://welbars.com/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=ducks:bantam_duck_pen.pdf
I have 3 of them now and they are working really well. Easy to clean (and longer between cleanings), no mud, swimming pool that they really enjoy, cleaner eggs, up high so they birds seem less skittish to me, perfect predator protection . . .
The only problem is they are best suited for lightweight ducks, because the wire floors are hard on the feet of heavy breeds. I have only kept bantams in these, but I think they would work for the lightweight layer breeds also, esp if you looked for sturdy, coated wire.
Of course, I love my bantam breeds - Australian Spotted and Miniature Silver Appleyards.

That’s a great design! My biggest problem is to get their water in winter. For chickens, I just carry a 5 gallon bucket every day. It would be much more difficult to change ducks water. I’m waiting for hubby to run water to the coop area with pipe heater before we get ducks. Bantam ducks are perfect for us, since we don’t really eat duck eggs and my son likes little birds that he can carry around.

 

[chickennewb025]

That’s fast! I have been thinking about getting ducks, but had nothing done yet.

Lol funny story actually. My sister just texted me she brought two more home lmao. Adding an “upper pond”/wetland area to help filter duck poop tomorrow I guess. It’s fun tho I love it. So much to learn

 

[chickennewb025]

Tonight’s wind isn’t as strong, but it sounds so much worse!

It’s bad here by the lake

 

[dheltzel]

That’s a great design! My biggest problem is to get their water in winter. For chickens, I just carry a 5 gallon bucket every day. It would be much more difficult to change ducks water. I’m waiting for hubby to run water to the coop area with pipe heater before we get ducks. Bantam ducks are perfect for us, since we don’t really eat duck eggs and my son likes little birds that he can carry around.

That is a problem. I take the pools out when it gets really cold. I am going to try making an insert to put into the pool instead of water when the pool is empty.
There are heated water hoses, but they are expensive (probably to operate too). So an underground line to a frost free hydrant is ideal. Make sure you bring electric too, if you don't already have it at the coop.

 

[feliciadawn]

I have 20 eggs in the incubator, with lockdown tomorrow night. The shipped eggs have saddle shaped air sacs, so I am not sure any will survive. Also have 3 bantam silkies, and the last of Adam's fertilized eggs.

Below some pictures of Turing, Adam's one lavender chick. No crowing yet so I can keep him a little longer. Look at those cute fluffy muffs.

 

[BullChick]

I reeeeeeally wanted her to settle a week or two ago.

So, what are the chances of her taking the chicks this weekend? I’m guessing it won’t happen, but if I get her to settle in the cage tomorrow, is it worth trying?

 

[chickennewb025]

I reeeeeeally wanted her to settle a week or two ago.

View attachment 2591060
So, what are the chances of her taking the chicks this weekend? I’m guessing it won’t happen, but if I get her to settle in the cage tomorrow, is it worth trying?

Those colors, omg! What kind is that?

 

[BullChick]

Silver Pencil Rock.

 

[BullChick]

Fisherlady, and her DH Radioman, have them. The girls co-brood. I’ve had three co-brood. They have dogs that babysit too. If you look up the broody threads, or wait for Fisherlady to log on, she will likely share a few pictures.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

For anyone who may be interested, the first livestock swap of the season will be this Saturday from 8am-2pm at Agway in Ebensburg. I was playing around today and made these to take along.