Silver Linings Chronicles!

[BabyGotQuack]

They're doing okay! Drinking a lot more water, and they have a voracious appetite which I am happy to see. The runt of them all is the Welsh Harlequin, but she's pulling through and showing a lot of strength now so I am much less worried. It seems the boost of vitamins have really helped, and I blended their starter crumbles to make it easier for them to eat. The teenagers (George & Tilly) are being bossy. We did a short introduction today with no resources, and there was a lot of forceful preening which concerned me. Mostly, the teens picked on the Silver Appleyards (attacking their mohawks). I think we will wait a few more days of visible separation before we try again.

Glad to hear it!

Introducing can sometimes be a pain but just give it time and eventually they won’t be able to live without each other

The house looks good!

 

[Canadian Wind]

I really really really need to start working on the larger coop... You folks are making me ashamed!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I really really really need to start working on the larger coop... You folks are making me ashamed!

Your going to need a hotel if you keep on bringing them home

 

[Canadian Wind]

Your going to need a hotel if you keep on bringing them home

Maybe! LOL!
Am working on a deal right now to trade some of my extra drakes for more Muscovy ducklings. Worse that can happen is the ducklings all turn out to be drakes too, right?

 

[thatsbirdietoyou]

Glad to hear it!

Introducing can sometimes be a pain but just give it time and eventually they won’t be able to live without each other

The house looks good!

I had a lot of anxiety about it, but tried again today. Initially they were really getting after the Appleyards again (they really do think that little mohawk is a bug or something). So I took those two out, cleaned the brooder, and then re-introduced with just one duckling at a time for 2-3 minutes and slowly worked up to the Appleyards. They pestered a little at first, but everyone has calmed down and is snuggling now. Phew.

 

[thatsbirdietoyou]

I really really really need to start working on the larger coop... You folks are making me ashamed!

How big is the one you currently have? I figured that maybe if I build a bigger coop to start, my husband won't notice if one day we suddenly have a few more ducks

The predators and pests here are relentless. We have skunks, opossums, rats, coyotes, raccoons, etc. and I'm very concerned about losing ducks for that reason. Any tips?

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I had a lot of anxiety about it, but tried again today. Initially they were really getting after the Appleyards again (they really do think that little mohawk is a bug or something). So I took those two out, cleaned the brooder, and then re-introduced with just one duckling at a time for 2-3 minutes and slowly worked up to the Appleyards. They pestered a little at first, but everyone has calmed down and is snuggling now. Phew.

It’s probably because the mohawk is such a color difference for the yellow. They’re just trying to figure out what the heck it is.

Glad they’re all snuggling now!

 

[Canadian Wind]

How big is the one you currently have? I figured that maybe if I build a bigger coop to start, my husband won't notice if one day we suddenly have a few more ducks

The predators and pests here are relentless. We have skunks, opossums, rats, coyotes, raccoons, etc. and I'm very concerned about losing ducks for that reason. Any tips?

I have two, and honestly, they aren't big enough anymore for my whole flock. Right now, they just spend the night in there and are free ranging all day (yes, I'm deliberately avoiding saying they are in two smallish garden sheds).

I want to build something that is more of a small barn.

My daughter pays too much attention to the ducks. She knows exactly who belongs there, lol! So sneaking some more in will be difficult.

 

[thatsbirdietoyou]

I have two, and honestly, they aren't big enough anymore for my whole flock. Right now, they just spend the night in there and are free ranging all day (yes, I'm deliberately avoiding saying they are in two smallish garden sheds).

I want to build something that is more of a small barn.

My daughter pays too much attention to the ducks. She knows exactly who belongs there, lol! So sneaking some more in will be difficult.

A small barn would be awesome! You could always put the sheds inside the barn and still utilize them haha. It's great that your daughter loves the ducks. My daughter is 8, and she's over the moon for our babies.

 

[Canadian Wind]

A small barn would be awesome! You could always put the sheds inside the barn and still utilize them haha. It's great that your daughter loves the ducks. My daughter is 8, and she's over the moon for our babies.

My daughter is 31, and I live here by her good graces, lol! So, I try not to push it too much.