Shelless egg

[TearDucks]

Hello,
Ostara came home this morning I got her in the coop with lucky at the moment. I almost wanna leave her in all day so she's safe tonight it's supposed to rain for two days and it's super windy. I know that doesn't bother them. What should I do? If I let her out i may not get her back in tonight. It seems she's tired of being on her own and on guard. I cant blame her but I also dont want her to think she can't trust me that I wouldn't let her back out. Also any ideas how's to shelter their food from the rain? Maybe a tote on its side? The wind might take it away unless I weigh it down hmmm

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good idea on the tote, can you screwed the back into your coop so it doesn't blow into the river.
I'd leave her in for safety she'll be fine. When the weather is bad here mine go in early whether they like it or not.

 

[TearDucks]

I ended up using a rock and a brick inside the tote next to the food dish so yay its not getting wet or blowing away. I wasnt sure what the direction of the rain was gonna be. Ostara wanted out when I let the other guys in so I let her out. I didn't want her to feel unsafe. I did buy some hinges and a lock so I can make another coop or two. Have to wait for better weather...

Hows it going with you?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Busy here while the rain is not coming down. I think we're in the monsoon season. lol sounds like ya'll too.
How are the ducks acting with Ostara? do you think they are beginning to accept her?

 

[TearDucks]

Some of them could care less like darkwing she has nothing to say to her acts like she doesn't exist really. Lucky is weary of her but doesnt go after her. Daisy my male pekin, he chases her away. Howard makes her keep her distance and he doesnt touch her but somehow makes her go flat on the ground. Then he walks away. Daffy and scrooge those guys don't seem to have an opinion of her either way and plucky will sometimes shoe her away. I have seen them mate with her can't remember who it was id guess it was daisy maybe howard. I'm trying think how to put them in for the night. Ostara wanted back in even after I let her out but Howard was making it weird so i booted him. Ostara is no where ready to be in the main coop and I dont think itd be right to put ostara and lucky together in the one until luckys more comfortable with her. I will probably end up trying to get ostara in her coop and leave plucky in the pen. It just puts lucky at risk in the main coop. I'm trying to think how to divide the main coop. I almost want to make it so I can easily slide the divider out if I want to change it later on. Maybe if i put some boards on the floor and make it go on either side of some plywood that would work. I kinda got something rolling in my head. I have to empty it first. I hammered a couple holes in the floor by mistake when i was breaking up ice so the spots i put patches over is gonna make the divider more complicated....ill figure it out soon

 

[Miss Lydia]

You sound like me I am always trying to make things better for my birds. Sometimes it works sometimes not but I always try.

Hopefully you'll work it out.

 

[TearDucks]

Hello,
I'm very happy today. Ostara stayed in her coop last night and today she is sticking with the flock having fun in the mud with everyone. Plucky is in confinement in the pen and everyone has been fine for over an hour. I was reading a thread on chickens and bullying and it gave me an idea to give plucky a break from the flock. Since he can't leave lucky alone and most of the Drakes chase him away maybe they all just need a break from him. Arnt they supposed to be moulting now to get their f me feathers? Maybe in a little while things might get a little better. As long as lucky isn't being abused it seems to not upset anyone that plucky is in the pen vs when lucky is in there they seem lost without her. I also read that they let the leader eat first. I've always thought it was weird that even though they abuse her she at least gets to eat first. I always figured darkwing was the leader bC they all follow her lead. I'm wondering if i was wrong about their pecking order?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pecking in order in water fowl isn't quite as strict as in chickens. Although with my Muscovies rank changes daily it seems with my females.

giving plucky time out is a good idea. a lot of members have to do this with their drakes to keep the females from being over bred.

That is awesome Ostara is hanging with the flock now she is feeling part of the group.



My Muscovies molt in fall and my other ducks Runners/Buff molted in late summer. Maybe different for them this year since they will be 2 but my Muscovies have always molted in fall.

 

[TearDucks]

I put plucky in ostaras coop. And left the gate open im hoping to get her in the main coop tonight. I took turns with lucky and howard in the pen then I put plucky in. It seems to work but theyre still mating with lucky. She isnt complaining until i put her and howard in the pen then she talks crap to me. Do you think it's a bad idea to put ostara in the main coop if she will come in for me?

 

[Miss Lydia]

All you can do is try it.

I wish you could keep the drakes from mating with Lucky so she can recover. Any way you can put the females together away from the drakes for a while.