The Duck Thread

[GAIL328]

Okay I'll try that. My daughter been bugging me to let them out. I'm just hoping I can get them back in the pen.

I trained mine with food. They learned that food was in the pen and I just guide them slowly. They are two months also. I started by not feeding them when they were out so they were very excited to go in the pen. Now I just move there food bowl back in the pen and they are eager to go in with a little coaxing.

 

[carousel86]

Thanks gail328, I'm going to try that

 

[graham B]

They go through a phase of being very frightened of anyone taller than they are, which is most of us 

During this time, sit near them (3.5 metres perhaps), roll peas toward them, sing, talk, just hang out.  Stay low.  Take a nap next to the brooder.  It takes several weeks, but they most likely will come back around at least to the point of being happy to see you and stand next to you and take treats from your hand.  This seems to be a survival mechanism as far as I can tell.  My runners got over it eventually.

But they do not like being picked up.  

Amiga, thanks for the advice. I have been feeding the ducks peas twice a day and for the last few days a couple of them have been willing to take food from my hand. They still run a mile if I stand up but they have calmed down a bit....

I am also more convinced that I only have one female due to their voices. This morning I heard a softer squeaking from the littlest duck. I think I know which one of the males I will keep but does any one know the best age to kill the others for food.... I would like to wait as long as possible to make sure that I have sexed them properly. Does duck meat get worse the longer it's alive?

 

[Amiga]

I keep mine as pets, so while I respect folks who raise them for meat, I am useless with butchering information. I know Storey's Guide has a chapter on that, but I haven't read it.

Some on the Duck Forum do have meat ducks, so I hope they check in.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

From what I understand about butchering: age depends on breed, since different breeds grow to butchering size at different rates. Then there are processing considerations-- are you planning to pluck? If so, you want to time it around a moult. Pekins, for example, and from what I've been told, you'd want to process at exactly 7.5 wks... Nice size for your table, and just before the feathers come in. Other breeds are different, and then some folks skin the carcass to avoid plucking, in which case the moult/feathers thing doesn't matter. Check in on the meat ducks thread, you might find more info there and I bet you will find folks there to answer your questions.

 

[Luelromun]

I have 2 Mascovy ducks that are about 7 months and just started laying yesterday and I have 2 bantam Cayugas ducks (drake and duck) they are about the same age and the hen started laying about two weeks ago.

I have 1 Mallard drake,2 Blue Swedes and 1 Black Swede. The 3 girls started laying at about 7 months! One blue swede lays blue eggs,the other 2 lay huge white ones.We were told by the vet that the more light they were exposed to will help with laying! We had to have 1 of them stop as she had a prolapsed uterus and was egg-bound! The vet fixed her up but we had to keep her alone,in the dark,in a cage that was covered. She was also given a shot to stop the ovulation process until she healed! Ellie is now back laying and all is good,I get 3 eggs a day,however she still has to be kept away from the drake!

 

[graham B]

From what I understand about butchering: age depends on breed, since different breeds grow to butchering size at different rates. Then there are processing considerations-- are you planning to pluck? If so, you want to time it around a moult. Pekins, for example, and from what I've been told, you'd want to process at exactly 7.5 wks... Nice size for your table, and just before the feathers come in. Other breeds are different, and then some folks skin the carcass to avoid plucking, in which case the moult/feathers thing doesn't matter. Check in on the meat ducks thread, you might find more info there and I bet you will find folks there to answer your questions.

Thanks for this. Will look at the thread.

 

[carousel86]

Ok, we let our two duck out of their pen for the first time four days ago and the one flew in my pond. So my daughter caught the other duck and put him back in the pen. Then the one that flew in my pond came back. So the next day I let them both out again. The same one flew back into my pond. This time I caught the other one and my son wanted me to put the second one in the pond, so we put did. This time they didn't come home it's been two days and two nights. I can see we're they are now. Does anybody know how we can get them out of the pond. I'm afraid something will get them. They are only two months old.

 

[carousel86]

I trained mine with food. They learned that food was in the pen and I just guide them slowly. They are two months also. I started by not feeding them when they were out so they were very excited to go in the pen. Now I just move there food bowl back in the pen and they are eager to go in with a little coaxing.

 

[Rwambolt]

Hello,
I have african geese A couple of guineas and chickens I was interested in getting duck, I have a small pond that they would have to share with the geese. I have herd that Swedish or magpie are good options any thought I live a more wooded area and aren't shire what to do