The Duck Thread

[JadeComputerGal]

I haven't been on here in a while! Still don't have any ducks, but I have been memorizing the duck breeds in each class in the SOP. It's so hard remember them all

Welcome back!

 

[Pyxis]

Thanks everyone for your support on that other thread

Does anyone know how to teach ducks to use a ramp? My geese took to it right away but the ducks, not so much. The pekin I think will pick it up, but my drake I'm not so sure of. He originally came from a very bad situation and doesn't really have any experience with these types of things. He doesn't even accept treats such as mealworms or peas because he had no experience with them and doesn't really know what to make of them, so using those to lure him up the ramp is out. He does like bread, which I give them very sparingly, but so do all my other birds so trying to make a trail up the ramp with bread is just going to result in the chickens and geese cleaning it up before he can follow it up, lol.

 

[Debs Flock]

Can you maybe get him to follow the leader? I had to do that. Lured one up with peas and the other 3 began to follow. The last one up tried to make a U-turn, but I was there to nudge him in the right direction.

 

[Pyxis]

I can try! I was hoping seeing the geese do it would get him to at least give it a shot. I almost got him up the ramp and in earlier today by gently herding him, but at the last second he panicked and jumped off instead of going in the pool. He could also throw himself in over the side if he wanted to, I've had this exact same pool before and my WHs never had troubles just hopping right over the side, but he doesn't even try. He just has no idea what to do. As a last resort I'll just mound up a bunch of pea gravel or something to create a natural ramp he could use, since I'm sure he'd be able to grasp that concept, at least.

 

[Debs Flock]

Aww, the poor clueless baby!

Good luck. The pea gravel mound sounds like a good idea.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

Thanks everyone for your support on that other thread

Does anyone know how to teach ducks to use a ramp? My geese took to it right away but the ducks, not so much. The pekin I think will pick it up, but my drake I'm not so sure of. He originally came from a very bad situation and doesn't really have any experience with these types of things. He doesn't even accept treats such as mealworms or peas because he had no experience with them and doesn't really know what to make of them, so using those to lure him up the ramp is out. He does like bread, which I give them very sparingly, but so do all my other birds so trying to make a trail up the ramp with bread is just going to result in the chickens and geese cleaning it up before he can follow it up, lol.

You kind of just nixed what I would have ordinarily said. Are these two ducks fairly young? Can you use bits of greens to lure him? I use peas to some extent since our ramps all have things across every few inches for the ducks to grip, but peas still roll around a lot. I like using bits of greens too because they stay where you lay them down as long as it isn't windy.

We've had ducklings that just don't seem to get it, and we still have a couple of those. If hubby and I crouch next to each side of the ramp and nudge them up, they'll slowly walk up. I think they'd be using the ramp now if I'd be consistent in forcing it, but I'm not. They watch the other 20 ducks go up the ramp, then they just stand there and look at me, waiting to be picked up and lifted to the deck. I often give into that just because it's so cute.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome back!

Thanks!

 

[Pekin1999]

HELP! Is this welsh harlequin male or female it looks male. I paid extra charges to ensure it was a female so I want extra opinions on whether or not it is male or female! Please!

 

[needlessjunk]

HELP! Is this welsh harlequin male or female it looks male. I paid extra charges to ensure it was a female so I want extra opinions on whether or not it is male or female! Please!

Does it quack?

 

[Pekin1999]

Does it quack?

yes