The Duck Thread

[Ren2014]

Thanks for all of that info. They are safely enclosed at night with three gaurd dogs who adore them. There is ventilation in the rear of the house. The plastic mesh is for Hawks, and since they are locked up at night I'm not too worried. ive talked to a handful of duck and chicken owners in my neighborhood who seem to think this is fine as long as they are in the container at night. I appreciate your concern and thorough attention to detail

What kind of guard dogs?

 

[Pyxis]

Whoops, sorry I forgot that.  Average starting weights:
WH 75.5 gm
BY 61 gm

I came home this evening to find a huge drop in temp in my incubator. 96 was the average temp   How horrible do you think that will be?

Alright, so the WH you want to lose an average of 2.8 grams a week, and the BY about 2.2, so they're losing weight a little too quickly going by that and you may want to bump the humidity up just a little bit

You're probably fin with the temp dip, they may be a little late but I doubt it killed them.

 

[Ren2014]

Alright, so the WH you want to lose an average of 2.8 grams a week, and the BY about 2.2, so they're losing weight a little too quickly going by that and you may want to bump the humidity up just a little bit

You're probably fin with the temp dip, they may be a little late but I doubt it killed them.

Yikes, I will bump the humidity. Thanks.

 

[MrsPlopPlop]

Just to warn you, predators don't just attack during the night. If they're hungry they'll strike whenever they have the opportunity, and a raccoon or a fox would have no trouble tearing into that run during the day. Neither would a weasel, and if the gaps are bigger than an inch, it wouldn't have to even tear, it could just squeeze right through. Foxes do hunt during the day. If your dogs aren't outside guarding them 24/7 I'd really upgrade to hardware cloth. It's worth it - why take the chance and potentially lose them?

Does the coop part have a solid floor?

The coop has a very solid floor. the gaps are not bigger than an inch. The three huge German Shepards are outside all day. We don't have foxes in this area of Florida, it's too hot and humid. They prefer northern climates. Also weasels are extremely rare here and very small.

"While the long-tailed weasel is a common North American animal, its Florida subspecies is thought to live only in the central and southwest part of the state.

Feeding habits: Usually eats rodents and seldom kills poultry."

SOURCES: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; The World Book Encyclopedia.

 

[Pyxis]

The coop has a very solid floor. the gaps are not bigger than an inch. The three huge German Shepards are outside all day. We don't have foxes in this area of Florida, it's too hot and humid. They prefer northern climates. Also weasels are extremely rare here and very small.

"While the long-tailed weasel is a common North American animal, its Florida subspecies is thought to live only in the central and southwest part of the state.

Feeding habits: Usually eats rodents and seldom kills poultry."

SOURCES: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; The World Book Encyclopedia.

Well if you feel comfortable with it the way it is then I won't hound you about it We just worry in here - no one likes to see someone lose their flock, especially to a predator. I would just keep your eye out. I forgot to mention dogs as possible predators too - they'll break in just to kill poultry because they think it's fun, but hopefully with your three dogs they'd be deterred.

It's great that you don't have weasels - they are nasty. They may be small but they are excellent hunters and they kill for fun. They'll kill and bird and not even eat it, just drink some blood from the wound if they're already full.

 

[MrsPlopPlop]

Well if you feel comfortable with it the way it is then I won't hound you about it We just worry in here - no one likes to see someone lose their flock, especially to a predator. I would just keep your eye out. I forgot to mention dogs as possible predators too - they'll break in just to kill poultry because they think it's fun, but hopefully with your three dogs they'd be deterred.

It's great that you don't have weasels - they are nasty. They may be small but they are excellent hunters and they kill for fun. They'll kill and bird and not even eat it, just drink some blood from the wound if they're already full.

I understand the concern. I grew up with chickens in the northwest so I get where all the worry comes from. It's not like I don't think it's a big deal, I take it seriously. Believe me they are literally padlocked in at night.

 

[Ravynscroft]

@Julie Bird

Io, the shoulder duck...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just to warn you, predators don't just attack during the night. If they're hungry they'll strike whenever they have the opportunity, and a raccoon or a fox would have no trouble tearing into that run during the day. Neither would a weasel, and if the gaps are bigger than an inch, it wouldn't have to even tear, it could just squeeze right through. Foxes do hunt during the day. If your dogs aren't outside guarding them 24/7 I'd really upgrade to hardware cloth. It's worth it - why take the chance and potentially lose them?

Does the coop part have a solid floor?

@Julie Bird

Io, the shoulder duck...

oh my goodness look at that face..

 

[Julie Birb]

@Julie Bird

Io, the shoulder duck...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWE. A child Io duck fuzzy yellow, round, warm soft precious cuddly love with webs lil peeper of innocence all snuggles like on your shoulder. Her face and body culminates in a ton of cute. Why?? Please please kiss her for me. Thank you for tagging me. I am loving these pics of her development of burd.

 

[Ren2014]

@Julie Bird

Io, the shoulder duck...

Precious! She looks very comfortable.