Setting eggs today 5/31/11

[NYRIR]

3 pips now....grrr....I have to work a 16 hour shift tomorrow at 3 pm....hope they hatch before then!!!

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
They never cooperate like that do they lol. Mine all hatched a day early while I was at the lake so I missed them hatching. I am hoping that this batch will be better about reading the manual and following instructions hehe

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
They never cooperate like that do they lol. Mine all hatched a day early while I was at the lake so I missed them hatching. I am hoping that this batch will be better about reading the manual and following instructions hehe

Nope...they don't...Oh well...maybe it's better to be at work than to be breaking my back and straining my eyes over the bator!

 

[NYRIR]

Here's what I have so far...the other 3 ..nothing yet...had to take them out of the bator.None others have pipped yet.
But I think I may have gotten 2 restricted mallards...look at the coloring

 

[LilyD]

They are so adorable!! I want to do ducks too next year but I think I need to do a bit more research because I am not really sure how to take care of them. They are so cute and I have heard very friendly too.

Congratulations

 

[NYRIR]

Thank you! Any questions about ducks I can answer for you, I will...They are messy...but I think worth it because they are soooo cute as babies and as adults...very comical to watch

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
I agree my sister had ducks once and I loved them but I would need to separate them from my chickens so I can't get them until I get another area set up. I want to try duck eggs because I hear they are very good for you but I want to do it right too so that I don't make life unbearable for the ducks or my chickens. I am going to build a grow out coop area with a run for the younger chickens so they can be out as well as the olders without having to worry about being picked on. But I am not sure how close the ducks can be to the chickens or if they can range together or not. I have a lot to learn.

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
I agree my sister had ducks once and I loved them but I would need to separate them from my chickens so I can't get them until I get another area set up. I want to try duck eggs because I hear they are very good for you but I want to do it right too so that I don't make life unbearable for the ducks or my chickens. I am going to build a grow out coop area with a run for the younger chickens so they can be out as well as the olders without having to worry about being picked on. But I am not sure how close the ducks can be to the chickens or if they can range together or not. I have a lot to learn.

I keep mine separate because I free range the chickens and geese but not the turkeys or ducks.I only have a little over an acre so space is limited.I know some people put them together but I don't think the chickens are fond of the wetness the ducks create.I would suggest getting Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks...it's a great book and answers a lot of questions.Ducks are very messy....but if you clean them often enough I find it isn't too bad.I actually prefer duck eggs to chicken eggs...although i wouldn't say that in front of my chickens

I love my ducks...they have a lot of personality

here is a pic of my duck set-up so far in case you have never seen it...I have the shade for the food and the ducks...when it's above 70 ducks start to get too hot.They seem to be more cold tolerant than chickens too.

I plan on putting a stock tank waterer in for swimming next year and extending the shade for them as I have found that chicken math applies to ducks as well We may also extend the run...Also,ducks do a LOT of damage to the ground...between being wet all the time and their poo is really runny so it "packs" down and ruins the grass.They also "drill" holes in the ground and it quickly demolishes the area.I would think you would have to have a LOT of property and space for the damage to heal itself.Notice the area around the exterior of the fence in my pic? They stick their heads out and drill there too...so the grass is gone

 

[LilyD]

Quote:
I agree my sister had ducks once and I loved them but I would need to separate them from my chickens so I can't get them until I get another area set up. I want to try duck eggs because I hear they are very good for you but I want to do it right too so that I don't make life unbearable for the ducks or my chickens. I am going to build a grow out coop area with a run for the younger chickens so they can be out as well as the olders without having to worry about being picked on. But I am not sure how close the ducks can be to the chickens or if they can range together or not. I have a lot to learn.

I keep mine separate because I free range the chickens and geese but not the turkeys or ducks.I only have a little over an acre so space is limited.I know some people put them together but I don't think the chickens are fond of the wetness the ducks create.I would suggest getting Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks...it's a great book and answers a lot of questions.Ducks are very messy....but if you clean them often enough I find it isn't too bad.I actually prefer duck eggs to chicken eggs...although i wouldn't say that in front of my chickens

I love my ducks...they have a lot of personality

here is a pic of my duck set-up so far in case you have never seen it...I have the shade for the food and the ducks...when it's above 70 ducks start to get too hot.They seem to be more cold tolerant than chickens too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/57454_lawn_and_birds_005.jpg


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/57454_037.jpg


I plan on putting a stock tank waterer in for swimming next year and extending the shade for them as I have found that chicken math applies to ducks as well We may also extend the run...Also,ducks do a LOT of damage to the ground...between being wet all the time and their poo is really runny so it "packs" down and ruins the grass.They also "drill" holes in the ground and it quickly demolishes the area.I would think you would have to have a LOT of property and space for the damage to heal itself.Notice the area around the exterior of the fence in my pic? They stick their heads out and drill there too...so the grass is gone

Yeah I have just two acres so not too much space here and most of it goes to my horse. My long term plan is to use no climb field fencing to fence in my horses area which is almost a full acre and then allow the birds (chickens, ducks and turkeys eventually) to free range through the horse area and through their run. My horse is pretty destructive over the grass as well. She has killed most of the grass that I had in her pasture and right outside even with electric fencing which is why I would love field fencing for her as well lol.

We will have to see though since the DH has to approve my building plans before I am allowed to expand. He might veto adding more types of ducks especially since I will be doing a second chicken coop for DP meat birds as well as my egg coop lol.

 

[NYRIR]

Wow...you have a horse...nice

Do you ride? My kids just started riding lessons this week...I am so excited for them! Yeah,the acre for them all is tight now....but if the number seems to much for the grass I will down size...so far it's ok since only the laying flock and 5 geese free-range...I don't know if you have seen my pics but it's all basically lined up at the back of the property...the run for the turkeys will be behind the laying flock coop...and we are opening up half of the front yard to accommodate the geese and give the chickens more space...lol...by the time I'm done...NO area will be safe from chicken poo!
Keep me updated on the Delaware hatch through this thread if you don't mind.I'd love to see how it goes and see the difference in the chicks from mine being hatchery...really curious about that....what's the hatch date?