The Duck Thread

[ringaring]

Well I'm in Georgia and its parasite central. To treat them we use nail polish. I use bleach it burns like heck but it makes the itch stop. As a preventative I use bug spray with DEET. I don't put anything on yard or chickens just us. Mostly clothing. On a visor, hat, to keep the gnats out of my eyes socks, shoes for the ants. I don't like the spray, but its better than the bugs.

There are effective alternatives to toxic chemicals that are safe around ducks:
Diatomacious earth - a fine powder you dust on the ground. It kills the larvae of worms and little bugs. It's also safe if it gets in the duck's food. Avoid breathing the dust in - wear a mask! It can irritate your lungs. For bug repellent I use a product called "Bug Off!" available at www.lsshaftsfarm.com. Ingredients are peppermint oil, tea tree/lemon oil, cedarwood oil, lavender, thyme and a carrier oil. All the ingredients repel bugs and this combo seems to work very well. Because it's oil based, I spray or rub it on my boots, belt, hat or anything leather so it lasts longer. I apply it really lightly to my hair - which makes it curl more and keeps bugs away from my face while I work on my farm. There's no research on how safe it is on animals so much as I'd like to, I don't put it on or around the ducks yard - just on me and the ducks don't seem to notice.
Hope this helps & give you some alternatives. Feel free to repost.

 

[K Epp]

ringaring

We were talking about kids (human) getting chiggers. I don't put anything on my ducks.

 

[earlyredrooster]

My Peking's are mateing but can't find any eggs anywhere. So i'm assuming they are not laying just because they are mateing.

 

[gander007]

Bob the Peking duck is waiting on Aflack the Peking duck hiding in the left hand corner standing over her egg's ......

 

[joyfulkeeper]

My ducks and ducklings are loving the new "pond" in my yard created by torrential rains. Without the flock the flooded yard would be just an aggravation. Instead, the flooding has brought lots of entertainment.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks and ducklings are loving the new "pond" in my yard created by torrential rains. Without the flock the flooded yard would be just an aggravation. Instead, the flooding has brought lots of entertainment.

How nice and you didn't have to lift a finger, but they are going to be very upset when the pond dries up. lol

 

[joyfulkeeper]

How nice and you didn't have to lift a finger, but they are going to be very upset when the pond dries up. lol

Yep, their little kiddy pools will be a big let down after this.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yep, their little kiddy pools will be a big let down after this.

LOL

 

[gander007]

My ducks and ducklings are loving the new "pond" in my yard created by torrential rains. Without the flock the flooded yard would be just an aggravation. Instead, the flooding has brought lots of entertainment.

Oh how my ducks and guess would just enjoy that situation

 

[KuroKitsune]

here is a pic of Aspen(cayuga) and her boyfriend Birch(f&w runner) they are about 2.5 months old and are such cuties. i have a pair of younger(will be 6 weeks old on monday) female cayuga's named Willow and Maple and am wanting suggestions on introducing the two pairs together and making them into a flock