The Duck Thread

[kukupecpec]

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[Pyxis]

Can anyone help this person with their sick duck? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1019162/help-sick-duck#post_15803236

 

[Frindizzle]

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Cool!

 

[MNW71680]

My boyfriend and I recently (2 weeks ago)got ducks, first two Magpie and Rouen hens, both pairs under 6 months. Two days later we got 4 Mallards, of which we were told one was definitely female, the other three possibly male. No definitive age on them, but I'd guess approximately 4 months for two of the "males", and maybe 6 months for the female and obvious drake. My question is, the day after we got the second four, we found and egg, but search as we might, there have been no other eggs since then. Any ideas on why? BTW, these are our first ducks, so we are very much newbies. Thank you for any help/advice you can give.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My boyfriend and I recently (2 weeks ago)got ducks, first two Magpie and Rouen hens, both pairs under 6 months. Two days later we got 4 Mallards, of which we were told one was definitely female, the other three possibly male. No definitive age on them, but I'd guess approximately 4 months for two of the "males", and maybe 6 months for the female and obvious drake. My question is, the day after we got the second four, we found and egg, but search as we might, there have been no other eggs since then. Any ideas on why? BTW, these are our first ducks, so we are very much newbies. Thank you for any help/advice you can give.

Welcome to BYC

Most likely that egg was already in the making when you brought her home, Now she'll have to get completely at home before you see any more and Mallards are seasonal layers so she might be getting close to end of season. Also your drake/duck ratio is off. Drakes can over mate females and cause stress stop laying and also injury so try and find at least 2-4 females per drake ,and hope everyone can live in harmony.

 

[MNW71680]

First, thank you for the welcome! I'm hoping that they start getting more used to me soon so I can get some good pics of them. Maybe then I can get some better info on who is or isn't a drake, lol. And we are looking into getting some more ducks soon, too. We will definitely keep the drake/duck ratio in mind. Our biggest issue is not really knowing the difference between drakes and ducks!!

 

[Pyxis]

Welcome @MNW71680!

So, Lacie's broody again It is very unusual for a goose to go broody and be laying eggs this late in the season. I went out to feed everybody today and she didn't turn up, so I popped into the coop and she was all hunkered into her corner, not moving or getting up when I approached. I was about to lift her up and check her over for injuries when I felt an egg under her. She has a few under there. This presents a dilemma - I can't get goose eggs this late, and I have no male so of course they are not fertile. I could give her duck eggs but I'm not sure how she'd do with the ducklings. She seemed to like the ones I got from ideal when I showed them to her. Or I could give her chicken eggs, because I know she likes chicks as she often watches over them when broodies have them, but then that's a huge goose with tiny chicks, and if it rains and the wet spot in the yard fills up she'd try to take them swimming...

 

[Debs Flock]

Welcome @MNW71680 !

So, Lacie's broody again

It is very unusual for a goose to go broody and be laying eggs this late in the season. I went out to feed everybody today and she didn't turn up, so I popped into the coop and she was all hunkered into her corner, not moving or getting up when I approached. I was about to lift her up and check her over for injuries when I felt an egg under her. She has a few under there. This presents a dilemma - I can't get goose eggs this late, and I have no male so of course they are not fertile. I could give her duck eggs but I'm not sure how she'd do with the ducklings. She seemed to like the ones I got from ideal when I showed them to her. Or I could give her chicken eggs, because I know she likes chicks as she often watches over them when broodies have them, but then that's a huge goose with tiny chicks, and if it rains and the wet spot in the yard fills up she'd try to take them swimming...

Oh, give her duck eggs because that means...WH babies!!

 

[Debs Flock]

First, thank you for the welcome! I'm hoping that they start getting more used to me soon so I can get some good pics of them. Maybe then I can get some better info on who is or isn't a drake, lol. And we are looking into getting some more ducks soon, too. We will definitely keep the drake/duck ratio in mind. Our biggest issue is not really knowing the difference between drakes and ducks!!

The two easiest ways to determine the gender of your ducks: look for the drake curl. If there's a feather near the tail that curls forward, it's highly likely you have a drake. Voice - females have distinct quacks. Males sound raspy/hoarse. Mine sounds like he's channeling a cricket he swallowed.

 

[Pyxis]

Oh, give her duck eggs because that means...WH babies!! 

Lol, it'll mean half WH/ half pekin babies. I have no female welshies at the moment, unfortunately, and I can't find any eggs to hatch myself some! I think I'll just have to place another order with Holderread's to get some next spring.