The Duck Thread

[BullChick]

Thank you. Because they are used to make Balut (I think I spelled that right) the hatcheries don't give much information on them. I would also like to know if they wander far. The Pekin only went to the neighbor's twice. Once because they had escaped the pen, ans were looking for water. The second time they wanted the company of the neighbor's free ranging chickens. Both times were only for a few minutes. If these two are going to be wandering far, I will have to keep them penned.

 

[Julie Birb]

Mine is smaller than a pekin but my largest duck out of the group. She weighs in at 5.5 lbs and is a great layer. She is one year old and has been laying everyday since May. Mine is not flighty, but none of mine are at all and were hand raise with my 2 young kids. My white layer in particular it kinda a brat and will bite when she gets pissy. She has drawn blood but we still hold her just watch out when she get mad and flips her head back around. I think that is just her not the breed pre say. Ducks themselves are very much individuals. Here is a pic of my ducks she is the one in the front

I AM COMING OVER TO TEXAS RIGHT NOW TO SQUEEZE YOUR BURBS AND GIVE YOUR KIDDOS BOTH A BIG HUG.

 

[needlessjunk]

Mine is smaller than a pekin but my largest duck out of the group. She weighs in at 5.5 lbs and is a great layer. She is one year old and has been laying everyday since May. Mine is not flighty, but none of mine are at all and were hand raise with my 2 young kids. My white layer in particular it kinda a brat and will bite when she gets pissy. She has drawn blood but we still hold her just watch out when she get mad and flips her head back around. I think that is just her not the breed pre say. Ducks themselves are very much individuals. Here is a pic of my ducks she is the one in the front

I AM COMING OVER TO TEXAS RIGHT NOW TO SQUEEZE YOUR BURBS AND GIVE YOUR KIDDOS BOTH A BIG HUG.

I'll plan on picking you up at the airport!

 

[Naliez]

I have a few Ancona duck eggs coming this week. These will be our first attempts at hatching and raising ducks! Very excited!

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Is it normal for domestic ducks to hide from "wild" ducks? I have three Pekins and there was a small flock of Mallards flying over my house and my ducks ran into the bush next to me.. I thought this was odd because they are all ducks. xD

 

[Vosh Sahaal]

Is it normal for domestic ducks to hide from "wild" ducks? I have three Pekins and there was a small flock of Mallards flying over my house and my ducks ran into the bush next to me.. I thought this was odd because they are all ducks. xD

If they aren't able to properly ascertain size and distance they'll usually take cover. Remember their instincts come from a two and a half pound ancestor.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Is it normal for domestic ducks to hide from "wild" ducks? I have three Pekins and there was a small flock of Mallards flying over my house and my ducks ran into the bush next to me.. I thought this was odd because they are all ducks. xD

It's normal for ducks to hide from anything flying above their heads, lol... they're prey animals, and their biggest predators are winged... I doubt they paused long enough to distinguish species of the possible flying duck buffet hunters... I've seen mine dive for cover from a chickadee, butterfly, floating grocery bag, drifting leaves... and don't even ask about the dogs Frisbee...

 

[Lamaremybabies]

If they aren't able to properly ascertain size and distance they'll usually take cover. Remember their instincts come from a two and a half pound ancestor.

True but they weren't that high up, and wouldn't the quacking be a give away even for a duck?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

It's normal for ducks to hide from anything flying above their heads, lol... they're prey animals, and their biggest predators are winged... I doubt they paused long enough to distinguish species of the possible flying duck buffet hunters... I've seen mine dive for cover from a chickadee, butterfly, floating grocery bag, drifting leaves... and don't even ask about the dogs Frisbee...

Wow! a frisbee!? I get that they are prey but I assumed the quacking from the flock would be a give away.

 

[Vosh Sahaal]

True but they weren't that high up, and wouldn't the quacking be a give away even for a duck?

Once again we are back to the fact that although ducks have a few predatory tendencies they are not predators. Their directional hearing isn't all that great. At ground level it is fine. But overhead threats are typically quieter and have all sorts of strange acoustic effects.