X2. I have extra males that were younger than the others and I thought I had until March before they came into 'their own'. My mistake, not the pool. I have always allowed them a pool or trough, if the temps are above freezing, without ever having a problem until now. For some reason the birds are acting up early this year, birds I would think are too young to be active this way are showing all of the signs and actions to go with them. Another thing I've learned, calendars aren't the only thing to tell you how soon a duck or goose or any animal will mate. My calendar said I had another couple of months, I guess these guys didn't get the memo. Use your eyes and your gut, they won't let you down.
This is my first year with ducks and geese as well. If I knew then, what I know now......yes, I would still have them. As I said before, it isn't the drakes fault, it is mine. Please, try and learn from my mistakes and this won't happen to you. Read, read and then read some more. Ask questions, there are so many knowledgeable poultry people on BYC that no one has an excuse not to do it right the first time. Others have already gone before you and marked the right path to take. Finally, again, go by your gut instincts. If something doesn't seem right to you, look it up, ask, whatever you need to do to find out. Chances are you're right and you can stop something bad from happening.
This is SO TRUE! I DID read about hawks and predators in general. Growing up and living rurally I know this, but that ONE instance, less than five minutes, WHAM, gone. It leaves you breathless. If there is one good thing that comes from this, it is a learning experience for EVERYONE.
