SchmidtChicks
Chirping
Hello and Welcome~
I thought I'd start this thread to share th progress of our adventure diving into Duck ownership.
Today, 7th April, we finally picked up our newest 4 additions. Jelly, Bean, Pogo, and Legless~ between 2 - 3 week old Muscovies.
I'll be sharing as much as I can, when I can. Including our hand-calming them, learning new things about them, and our project next week of building a coop that'll suit them full grown.
We currently have them legbanded (small zipties), with room to grow so we can identify at a glance who is who. And the colors labelled are their bands, excluding Legless who has none (hence the name!).
^ All ducklings in a kids pool- we provided them a large kitty litter tray to wade in, and scattered feed for their first day.
(*they also have an indoor enclosure for nights and when we aren't outside to supervise)
^Jelly getting her first cuddles. We suspect a female as she is the smallest so far.
^ Bean. 2nd suspected female, at least we have high hopes. Slightly larger than Jelly, but small than Pogo and Legless.
^ Pogo. Apparently likes to sit in the feed and water. Hoping another female, but considering male as similar size to Legless. Good jumper can escape the pool / pen if the others are removed.
^ Legless. We assume a definite Drake. Largest of the four, and the most shy. Looses his confidence when separated from his flock.
Is there any great way to determine sexes at this age? We aren't in a rush, as we've got a record of mis-sexing with a chicken we've found out is a roo (Woops!)
I thought I'd start this thread to share th progress of our adventure diving into Duck ownership.
Today, 7th April, we finally picked up our newest 4 additions. Jelly, Bean, Pogo, and Legless~ between 2 - 3 week old Muscovies.
I'll be sharing as much as I can, when I can. Including our hand-calming them, learning new things about them, and our project next week of building a coop that'll suit them full grown.
We currently have them legbanded (small zipties), with room to grow so we can identify at a glance who is who. And the colors labelled are their bands, excluding Legless who has none (hence the name!).
^ All ducklings in a kids pool- we provided them a large kitty litter tray to wade in, and scattered feed for their first day.
(*they also have an indoor enclosure for nights and when we aren't outside to supervise)
^Jelly getting her first cuddles. We suspect a female as she is the smallest so far.
^ Bean. 2nd suspected female, at least we have high hopes. Slightly larger than Jelly, but small than Pogo and Legless.
^ Pogo. Apparently likes to sit in the feed and water. Hoping another female, but considering male as similar size to Legless. Good jumper can escape the pool / pen if the others are removed.
^ Legless. We assume a definite Drake. Largest of the four, and the most shy. Looses his confidence when separated from his flock.
Is there any great way to determine sexes at this age? We aren't in a rush, as we've got a record of mis-sexing with a chicken we've found out is a roo (Woops!)