Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

[Sequestered Ridge Ranch]

Went to fill the 5 gallon water bucket that has watering spigots for the ducklings and keets, not exactly easy to see in the bucket, filled it up and up came a dead keet and one swimming in it. Somehow at 2 weeks old managed to take flight high enough into the water bucket, not one but two So a lid it is, down to 16 keets maybe 15 by the end of the day. That one that was still swimming looks lethargic from hypothermia, but running around as no big deal.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry you lost one. It's amazing what these little things can get into.

 

[Sequestered Ridge Ranch]

So sorry you lost one. It's amazing what these little things can get into.

Yeah I know what you mean, I lost a gosling through a 1 inch hole that only they could stick their head in, but one managed to squeeze in awhile back. Figure bucket was high enough and nothing would get that high up. I check on them about every 4 to 6 hours until bed, and that's when the shenanigans start.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

View attachment 3592283
Ducks are strange creatures. This has been one of the many inexplicable duck things of my duck keeping experience! How on earth do they get their water bowls and pond so dirty so quickly

You have to get creative
I use fake grass around mine
This sure helps keep dirt out
I do leave a few small buckets around where they can dig but keep my ponds and pools away from the mud
A small pool vacuum and a filter system is helping cut the dumping of the big ponds down
I use to do it every 3-4 days as the water would be turning green and smell
Now I’m on day 7 and still doesn’t need to be changed.
I can see in the bottom and no green water yet
I’m going to do 2 more one for each big kid pool I have as well to see how that goes and see how long I have before it needs to be cleaned

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Went to fill the 5 gallon water bucket that has watering spigots for the ducklings and keets, not exactly easy to see in the bucket, filled it up and up came a dead keet and one swimming in it. Somehow at 2 weeks old managed to take flight high enough into the water bucket, not one but two So a lid it is, down to 16 keets maybe 15 by the end of the day. That one that was still swimming looks lethargic from hypothermia, but running around as no big deal.

Sorry for the loss
Hopefully the second one pulls through
Keep us posted

 

[Sequestered Ridge Ranch]

Sorry for the loss
Hopefully the second one pulls through
Keep us posted

Will do. I'm still trying to figure this out, 2' on each side of the bucket max length of a runway to get flight and they managed to elevated over foot and half, I think I need to cut back on their rocket fuel, they managed almost vertical take off.
a2+b2=c2
4+2.25=6.25 which breaks down to 2.5' at most length if they left the floor at a 45° take off.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

You have to get creative
I use fake grass around mine
This sure helps keep dirt out
I do leave a few small buckets around where they can dig but keep my ponds and pools away from the mud
A small pool vacuum and a filter system is helping cut the dumping of the big ponds down
I use to do it every 3-4 days as the water would be turning green and smell
Now I’m on day 7 and still doesn’t need to be changed.
I can see in the bottom and no green water yet
I’m going to do 2 more one for each big kid pool I have as well to see how that goes and see how long I have before it needs to be cleaned

Here is todays pic from the bigger pond
Can still see the bottom

 

[Luv Ducks]

Went to fill the 5 gallon water bucket that has watering spigots for the ducklings and keets, not exactly easy to see in the bucket, filled it up and up came a dead keet and one swimming in it. Somehow at 2 weeks old managed to take flight high enough into the water bucket, not one but two So a lid it is, down to 16 keets maybe 15 by the end of the day. That one that was still swimming looks lethargic from hypothermia, but running around as no big deal.

I had a bucket of water for the Momma duck last year and one of the ducklings managed to get into it. I had no idea it could ever jump as high as it did as it was only a few days old. I learned my lesson the hard way and keep only shallow water around them when they are young. It's amazing what they can do to get into water. So sorry for your loss. I have 5 gallon buckets with holes in the side for their necks but I make sure the lid is on them as I can see a grown duck getting stuck in one, especially one of my little Call Ducks.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Will do. I'm still trying to figure this out, 2' on each side of the bucket max length of a runway to get flight and they managed to elevated over foot and half, I think I need to cut back on their rocket fuel, they managed almost vertical take off.
a2+b2=c2
4+2.25=6.25 which breaks down to 2.5' at most length if they left the floor at a 45° take off.

Unfortunately my duckling jumped as it was only a few days old and I could not believe it could do that. Ducks fly straight up with no need to have a runway which makes it even harder to keep them where they belong. I pray your other little one makes it alright.

 

[Sequestered Ridge Ranch]

This is what I use, I drilled a 3/8" hole on the side and got two of these mounted on the 5 gallon bucket. Seems the keet is fine that made it, if I could tell them apart I would nickname that one swimmer. Definitely lid on top now.