The Duck Thread

[caesargirl]

My mallard, Peep, has always kinda kept herself away from being in the flock. Her offspring, mallard x pekin, also get cases of the wanderings... They seem to be explorers! That being said, I don't do anything about it, I don't have to. If you do have to fix that, the wing clipping you've done and only let them roam befor you've fed them and use their food to bring them back. Of course this all looks good on paper... In ducks world.... Begging and bribery with some pleading and shepherding thrown in!

 

[Julie Birb]

Not to veer off topic, but just curious. To those with mallards, do you notice them get kind of "flighty" at a certain time of the year? It is winter here in Ohio now, and I've been leery of letting my ducks out of their pen for a few weeks now. My two mallard girls keep wandering away from the flock and, despite clipped wings, managed to fly/fall in short bursts for a few feet. My mallard crosses (mallard/pekin and mallard/runner) are also very flappy and wandering. The last two times I've let them out to forage, they suddenly run and take off, and are resistant to come back, even for treats.

My other ducks (Cayuga, WH, pekin, buff and runners) have no problem coming back and don't wander much at all. My male mallard also doesn't wander, but he is so dedicated and attached to my crippled pekin, so he doesn't move much either, lol. Just wondering, really.

And now here are some pictures because who doesn't like duck pictures?? Note: the pics are a couple months old because it is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home now, so I can't get new pics

The "good ones"

The "rebels"

Group picture

Your ducks are so cute. All of them.

 

[caesargirl]

Last year on this day!

Today....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Last year on this day!



Today....

I bet the flock isn't minding your weather.

 

[Julie Birb]

Last year on this day!

Today....

Whoa, that's crazy.

 

[caesargirl]

C'mon in.... The ice water is refreshing!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your ducks are so cute. All of them.

X2, I love them

 

[Julie Birb]

C'mon in.... The ice water is refreshing!

I'll take your word for it you silly birbies.

 

[Pyxis]

We too are having unusually warm weather - it rained all day today but so far no snow to speak of up here in VT.

As an update on the wandering duck situation, the drake left to got back over to his girlfriend. I saw him come running over the other day to eat but then he scurried right back off. Today though as I was feeding my flock I saw a chicken way out in my backyard that I thought might be mine but as I approached it it ran off - not something mine do so it must have been the neighbor's. But as a I was walking over there I caught Mr Pekin in my yard - with his girlfriend. So if she was penned up she either escaped or was turned out. I expect I'll be seeing them again soon, and if he brings his girlfriend with him this time, I'm betting they'll stay.

My other four are doing well. Hershey and Sugar are living the free range life and adored the rainy weather today. Pumpkin and Pie are still waiting on their girlfriends, but I've promised them I will be ordering them this winter so they'll be here in early spring and old enough to lay eggs in late summer. I expect they are thrilled with this news

 

[Julie Birb]

We too are having unusually warm weather - it rained all day today but so far no snow to speak of up here in VT.

As an update on the wandering duck situation, the drake left to got back over to his girlfriend. I saw him come running over the other day to eat but then he scurried right back off. Today though as I was feeding my flock I saw a chicken way out in my backyard that I thought might be mine but as I approached it it ran off - not something mine do so it must have been the neighbor's. But as a I was walking over there I caught Mr Pekin in my yard - with his girlfriend. So if she was penned up she either escaped or was turned out. I expect I'll be seeing them again soon, and if he brings his girlfriend with him this time, I'm betting they'll stay.

My other four are doing well. Hershey and Sugar are living the free range life and adored the rainy weather today. Pumpkin and Pie are still waiting on their girlfriends, but I've promised them I will be ordering them this winter so they'll be here in early spring and old enough to lay eggs in late summer. I expect they are thrilled with this news

I hope they stay with you. Sweet things. I am glad his girl turned up. Now the mystery chicken.....hmmmm.

I love the names of your birds.