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Tahai's Duck Journey!

Discussion in 'Ducks' started by Tahai, Apr 11, 2012.

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  1. Apr 11, 2012 #1
    Tahai

    Tahai Songster

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    Dec 18, 2011
    North-Central Pennsylvania
    Hi All,

    I don't want to create a new thread every time I take pictures of my ducks, so I'm just going to create a thread dedicated to my ducks.

    I got my shipment from Holderread's this morning! Better than Christmas [​IMG]. They were running short on Cayugas, so they replaced one with a TSQ WH! [​IMG]

    So my order consisted of 3 TSQ WH, 8 WH, and 3 Cayugas!

    The day was rushed, so I only go one pic. More will follow this weekend.

    [​IMG]

    My brooder is a very large pond tub my dad had left over from a waterfall project. It's about 2 feet deep and 5 feet in diameter. I'm NOT going to clean it out every day, let alone 2-3 times a day, so I opted for the deep litter method. They will only be in this tub for a couple of weeks before I move them out of the garage and into the duck house. I think the litter I have will last that long.

    I started with a 2-3 inch layer of pine shavings (about half a bale from TSC). The second layer is about 2 inches of dry peat moss, to cut down on odor, and to absorb liquid. The top layer is about 2 inches of straw. I'll add more straw as needed. I'm hoping this works for the long haul.

    I'm having trouble getting the temp under the heat lamps up to 95. I have 2 lamps going, and the thermometer only reads 85. They don't seem to be cold, though, as they are not hovering under it at all. They just pop under for a few minutes to get warm, then are off and running again.

    I do believe that very young ducklings are just about the cutest animals on the planet!
     

  4. Apr 11, 2012 #2
    70%cocoa

    70%cocoa Songster

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    Feb 24, 2011
    Canberra, Australia
    No argument from me there! :) And yours are beautiful examples of why it's true!

    Congratulations on your gorgeous new babies!
     
  6. Apr 12, 2012 #3
    GrannyCarol

    GrannyCarol Chirping

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    Jul 7, 2011
    Washington
    If your ducklings are comfy and not huddled up under the light, its warm enough. I don't think I've ever had my brooder at the 95 they talk about, I just go for what the ducklings are comfortable at. Cute babies!

    What is a "TSQ Welsh Harlequin"?
     
  8. Apr 12, 2012 #4
    Lute

    Lute Songster

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    Feb 25, 2012
    Albuquerque, NM
    My ducklings HATED anything over 85 for the first few weeks of life. It was weird. They went against everything everyone told me.

    [​IMG]

    They're so cute!
     
  10. Apr 12, 2012 #5
    Mrs. Fluffy Puffy

    Mrs. Fluffy Puffy Fluffy Feather Farm

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    Jan 26, 2010
    Texas, Panhandle
    How adorable!!!!

    ~ Aspen
     
  12. Apr 12, 2012 #6
    tweetysvoice

    tweetysvoice Songster

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    Dec 30, 2011
    Lawrence, KS
    My Coop
    Same here! Tahai, I wouldn't worry about the temp very much. Mine avoided the light when I had it up that high. Turned it down to about 85 and they were much happier. They are absolutely adorable!!!
     
  14. Apr 12, 2012 #7
    Tahai

    Tahai Songster

    474
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    Dec 18, 2011
    North-Central Pennsylvania
    Hi Granny Carol.

    TSQ stands for Top Show Quality. This is an abbreviation Holderread's uses on their packing material, and I'm guessing that's how it entered the duck raisers' lexicon.
     

  17. Apr 12, 2012 #8
    Amiga

    Amiga Overrun with Runners

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    Jan 3, 2010
    Southern New England
    Oh, wow, Tahai!
     
  19. May 1, 2012 #9
    Tahai

    Tahai Songster

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    Dec 18, 2011
    North-Central Pennsylvania
    Took duckies for their first swim today. Took them about 45 minutes to figure out how to get into the pool, but after that, they were happy as ducks in water [​IMG]

    I've also noticed my duckies love it when I sing. They go instantly from "OMG, she's going to eat us!" to "What's that heavenly sound? oh, I'm so sleepy....just gonna close my eyes for a moment....."
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2012
  21. May 1, 2012 #10
    Amiga

    Amiga Overrun with Runners

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    Jan 3, 2010
    Southern New England
    I composed a song using my ducks' names, and I still sing it to them, just about every night.

    Thanks for the update!
     
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