The Duck Thread

[ktduck]

@ilovemyduckies

What sort of duck is this? Absolutely beautiful!!

 

[suncatcher]

Hoping to learn something about waterfowl here! Just marking this for future reading! Was not sure I ever wanted ducks again, as it can be a challenge to keep their pen clean, but considering them for this coming year.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hoping to learn something about waterfowl here! Just marking this for future reading! Was not sure I ever wanted ducks again, as it can be a challenge to keep their pen clean, but considering them for this coming year.

Welcome to the duck forum, and honestly I don't find it any harder to keep things clean for my water fowl than my chickens, you just have to do it right from the start, I learn by trial and error but have found that using landscaping material and river rocks[lowes] helps keep mess down around water areas, and deep litter inside is more than I ever thought would work with water fowl but it does, I use pine shaving and just go in daily scoop out poop laying on top and take my pitch fork and turn over bedding takes about 15-20 min minimum and this is with 17 water fowl. I also use deep litter in chicken coop. Others can give advise on how they do it also so don't be afraid to ask questions..

 

[Amiga]

@ilovemyduckies

What sort of duck is this? Absolutely beautiful!!

Looks like a runner mix.

 

[dazza1965]

Hi im a newbie here from the UK. Just wanted to say hi and ask a question.
we have 3 ducks in our back garden. They are runners, possibly crossed with welsh harlequins. They are abt 2.5yrs old. We mant to get a drake for them, not so much for breeding but just as a companion. What age drake should we get? My wife wants to get a very young duckling drake, so we can handle it and rear it for a few months. I think this may cause problems with the others, as they are not that tame and would the age difference be a problem
any suggestions?

 

[ktduck]

Beautiful colours

 

[Amiga]

Hi im a newbie here from the UK. Just wanted to say hi and ask a question.
we have 3 ducks in our back garden. They are runners, possibly crossed with welsh harlequins. They are abt 2.5yrs old. We mant to get a drake for them, not so much for breeding but just as a companion. What age drake should we get? My wife wants to get a very young duckling drake, so we can handle it and rear it for a few months. I think this may cause problems with the others, as they are not that tame and would the age difference be a problem
any suggestions?

Welcome!

Introducktions are unique to each flock. When drakes are introduced, it seems it can be a little more involved. But it works. Members here have done both, bringing in young drakes or ducks, or bringing in adults. The problems are varied, also.

The approach that seems to work best is first deciding to do what it takes, including having separate areas for as long as it takes for them to get used to each other, supervised time together, treats, and in our case sometimes starting over a bit. Eventually ducks seem to work it out.

One advantage to a younger drake would be that he might - no guarantees - be a little more tame than the others. But he may not.

There are good drakes in need of homes due to having too many drakes in a flock. So in the Where Am I Where Are You forum you may find someone near you who needs to rehome a perfectly lovely drake who is friendly to people.

 

[ktduck]

Does anyone else's duckies sleep like this? I'm not too worries but just wanted to see if it happens often? Sometimes (like right now) he droops his head off the couch and falls asleep like that!

 

[ktduck]

Here he is the crazy boy

 

[GAIL328]

That's so cute.