Shrink wrapped ducks?? What should I do?

[ALHmama]

   I have a 2 year old female chihuahua who wanted to eat my birds when I first got them, but as the chickens have gotten older, and bigger than she is, she has lost a lot of her predator drive..  I watched her closely at first and never left them unsupervised.  I did a lot of scolding.  Now she acts like she enjoys just hanging out with them.  In fact I have a little chocolate orpington rooster and a little modern game bantam rooster that really play with her and the cats.  
    Last week I was in the front yard and noticed her pointing with one leg up like a bird dog at something in the bushes.  It was one of my young golden pheasants that had escaped without me knowing.  I would have never found it without her.  I think she is learning that the birds are something I love and don't want her to harm. I think many dogs can learn if you have the time to devote to teaching them.                                                                                                                                                                                            I also have a tiny 2 pound chihuahua who is terrified of  all the birds.  After being attacked by a little serama rooster, she won't even come into the back yard unless she is in my arms.  My older male chihuahua ignores them completely.                                             

Both my mini doxies are under 10 lbs.. Goose goose is probably only about 6-7 lbs.. So I'm hopeful that she won't be too interested in full grown duckies!

 

[ducksanddoxies]

I just read this entire thread. Such interesting stuff. Thank you for sharing the journey.

I have 2 ducks, possibly adopting a third tomorrow. They're named Diva (aka Lucky Duck) is the Pekin, the white one and Bumblebee is the black Swedish.

We also have a doxie mix. He's colored like a silver dapple. His name is Yankee.

Again, thank you for sharing.

 

[ALHmama]

I just read this entire thread. Such interesting stuff. Thank you for sharing the journey.

I have 2 ducks, possibly adopting a third tomorrow. They're named Diva (aka Lucky Duck) is the Pekin, the white one and Bumblebee is the black Swedish.

We also have a doxie mix. He's colored like a silver dapple. His name is Yankee.

Again, thank you for sharing.

Cute!! I love the white duckies!

 

[corrinekay]

   I have a 2 year old female chihuahua who wanted to eat my birds when I first got them, but as the chickens have gotten older, and bigger than she is, she has lost a lot of her predator drive..  I watched her closely at first and never left them unsupervised.  I did a lot of scolding.  Now she acts like she enjoys just hanging out with them.  In fact I have a little chocolate orpington rooster and a little modern game bantam rooster that really play with her and the cats.  
    Last week I was in the front yard and noticed her pointing with one leg up like a bird dog at something in the bushes.  It was one of my young golden pheasants that had escaped without me knowing.  I would have never found it without her.  I think she is learning that the birds are something I love and don't want her to harm. I think many dogs can learn if you have the time to devote to teaching them.                                                                                                                                                                                            I also have a tiny 2 pound chihuahua who is terrified of  all the birds.  After being attacked by a little serama rooster, she won't even come into the back yard unless she is in my arms.  My older male chihuahua ignores them completely.                                             

All very true. I try to introduce the ducklings to my dogs right away. I hold the baby and let her smell it, and tell her nice!!! She loves the ducks now. My other dog loves them too. They play around the yard right next to each other. My ducks actually steal the dogs water while they are drinking it. The dog's tounge has been bit a few times, lol, but she never gets mad at them. I think the dogs are scared of the ducks, especially when they go broody

 

[ALHmama]

This little duck.. Totally melts my heart!! It loves me so much! I put my hand in the brooder and if comes running towards me, it is so chill when I'm holding it and never makes a peep! It turns it's little face sideways to check me out. So so sweet!! My little blue

 

[ALHmama]

She's uh... "Under my wing"? LOL

 

[calichicken]

She's uh... "Under my wing"? LOL
Awww.....yep! You are momma...LOL! I had a duckling last year that was similar...when I picked it up, it would nuzzle underneath my chin or stretch out on my chest and lay its bill on my shoulder

So have you had a chance to look into keeping them? Isn't it so funny how these little fluff balls can take over your life???? LOL

 

[ALHmama]

I have been looking.... And looking... I could probably get away with keeping two for now. After looking today, I'd love to have a runner and a pekin too! Runners just look hilarious! I need to figure out how to make an inexpensive.. But nice looking coop/pen for them for night time if I do keep some. I have all 8 of them in a galvanized tub right now and I can already tell it's getting crowded! I'm not sure what to do once they outgrow the brooder in about a week or two!

 

[calichicken]

Yep...they outgrow a small brooder quickly!!!! I actually have a little rabbit or dog cage(can't remember which one it was..LOL) that I keep the ducklings in. I just got some small grid fencing to wrap around the bottom part on the cage so the bedding doesn't come out as easily. The top comes off so it is like a little playpen

You can also use a large plastic tub...just be sure you have plenty of bedding so they are not on the slippery bottom. Your best bet is probably to build a copp/pen(what is it called for ducks???)...it will be exactly what you want and it is cheaper than trying to buy something...plus it is a fun project(as if you aren't busy enough!) I do LOVE the runners too and they are funny with their upright posture

 

[18angovem]

I see that your duckling has a diaper on. How to you put it on. Mine just peeps and kicks like crazy so I cant put it on.