The Duck Thread

[Lamaremybabies]

@AxolotlLove I tried taking a bunch of photos when one of my ducks were flapping their wings and I got this! Thanks for the help.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Wow that's a great photo!

 

[jtn42248]

Hey, so I have 2 flocks of ducks (don't ask why, 6 of them just didn't get along with the rest, so they have a separate pen) and in 1 flock, there's only 2 female and 7 males, they all get along, I'm not able to get anymore ducks at all and I can't give away any drakes. In the spring, should I pen up the 2 females with 1 male? I want baby ducks, but I do t want any over bred ducks.

Absolutely. And watch that they don't start mating early. Seven males and two females will probably result in two dead females, not just overbred. Even one male with two females may be a problem. The suggested ratio is 4 or more females to each male. Like you I have two flocks. One that were adults already and one that were a year later. They have to be kept separate from each other. One (14 females and 2 males) do just fine. The other (3 males and 3 females) will be a problem when mating starts. So, I am spinning off the males into a bachelor duck pen for everyone's good.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Thank you everyone for the congrats and compliments on Bugs and her babies. Total 13 hatched, she sat on 14. She's an awesome Momma.

I have very sad news to report. We lost Boo to a Bobcat this morning

Before I realized what was going on and got out the door with the shotgun, it carried her off. We had to put one of our Great Pyrenees down just a couple of weeks ago and I know this would not have happened if he was still with us

RIP Boo, we love you. Baby Boo will carry your legacy on.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Wow that's a great photo!

Thanks!

 

[Wobbles]

Hi all!! Is winter over yet!? It has been a rough one.

I don't think muscovies are a good fit for us. It is too cold here and they insist on being out in the elements. One got nasty frost bite on his feet, we have been doing everything possible to help him recover. I'm afraid we may lose this battle. He just wants to be inside with us so he will not stay in the warm areas. He has to wander to the door and lay right in the snow. We had a few really nasty cold days and even then he kept getting out and leaving the duck area to come to the house. Of course, he is the one muscovy we planned to keep (all 5 are boys).

The two anconas and two rouen got through the -30 degree days with no issue, even swimming in water bowls first thing in the morning. Crazy things!! First winter with ducks has sure been an experience. I cannot take care of them so the other half has to do it, the muscovies attack me..I guess because they were too tame and I am a female? I have no idea really but they would for sure love to eat me.

I feel like a bit of a failure because of the frost bite. I know I did what I could to prevent it and then to make it better. I just don't know if I can do another winter with muscovies. We may just get more ancona babies in the spring, or a different kind. Something that tolerates nasty cold better. I don't know, i am torn.

Here are a couple photos from before the snow.




They sure look like they are smiling to me! Oakley (duck) and Pogo (drake)


We have a new family member coming home in two weeks We think we have a name but not set on it yet.

 

[Ren2014]

So sorry for both of your losses

Thank you.

I am so sorry Ren2014 she was gorgeous.

and for the loss of you LGD

Thank you. I feel our place is really vulnerable now with out two Pyrs. I can't find a puppy anywhere in Texas right now

Somehow I missed this

But so sorry to hear about your loss Boo too.

Thank you

Sorry for your loss!

-Kathy

Thank you

So sorry

Thank you

Oh I am so sorry for the loss and I much understand as I had to take out several Bobcats over the years

Ya it was so bad I could take photos and they nearly wiped me out but a Shotgun did end the problem

May your days get better and your aim also

Thank you so much. Any tips in getting this one? I have sat out each evening and my husband in the mornings. We have not seen it since but I am sure it isn't far. Just makes me sick. We have 3 livestock ponds with wild ducks and this cat had to come into our yard.

Such a sad note paired with so many positive introductions into the world.
This time last year I was dealing with some predator issues and it always sucks no matter what. I'm sorry for the loss, I also dread the day I have to make that choice with my dog, he's like one of the kids you know. Family. Hope at least the ducklings can keep a smile on your face.

My WH would beg to differ, I have a pair that's integrated into a group of 7 mallards. And even tho the Welsh can't fly with the others you would swear they thought they were every time there's a flutter of the group back to the pond.

Attimus

Thank you. I've got 5 ducks (the Fab 5) I was just fixing to move out with the older ducks. Everyone is locked in at night but they were fixing to go from juvy pen to big pen. Then of course there are Bugs' 13. GEES, I was going to let her take them wherever she wanted. Now they are locked up 24/7 until we get this cat.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Lewis was family and a great protector. Nothing dared come into our yard. He had a nose that could smell a mile away. Lucy, our lone Pyr, isn't a strong protector. She was actually asleep in the carport when Boo got taken. She's out there at night doing her job but she isn't a 24/7 hr girl, lol.

Thank you.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Hi all!! Is winter over yet!? It has been a rough one. I don't think muscovies are a good fit for us. It is too cold here and they insist on being out in the elements. One got nasty frost bite on his feet, we have been doing everything possible to help him recover. I'm afraid we may lose this battle. He just wants to be inside with us so he will not stay in the warm areas. He has to wander to the door and lay right in the snow. We had a few really nasty cold days and even then he kept getting out and leaving the duck area to come to the house. Of course, he is the one muscovy we planned to keep (all 5 are boys). The two anconas and two rouen got through the -30 degree days with no issue, even swimming in water bowls first thing in the morning. Crazy things!! First winter with ducks has sure been an experience. I cannot take care of them so the other half has to do it, the muscovies attack me..I guess because they were too tame and I am a female? I have no idea really but they would for sure love to eat me. I feel like a bit of a failure because of the frost bite. I know I did what I could to prevent it and then to make it better. I just don't know if I can do another winter with muscovies. We may just get more ancona babies in the spring, or a different kind. Something that tolerates nasty cold better. I don't know, i am torn. Here are a couple photos from before the snow. They sure look like they are smiling to me! Oakley (duck) and Pogo (drake) We have a new family member coming home in two weeks We think we have a name but not set on it yet.

Great photos! How many Muscovy are you getting rid of? Defiantly rouens have no problem with snow or freezing temps. If your linking to get different ducks I suggest pekins, they're really cute and are great with snow and rouens. I know some people want more "colorful" ducks, but I have 5 pekins and they make great mix breed colors and this year I'm breeding a pekin with a Rouen, and let me tell you, those mixes are gorgeous (another gorgeous and exotic mix is pekin/khaki, mine has a black head, brown body with darker brown stripes and white faded in er feathers) pekins are also great layers. Here my pekin/khaki mix Hershey Kisses

 

[tracyjg]

We our new to the group and our thinking of bringing a duck to our home. We like to learn more about them and how to raise them. We have incubators for chickens. We don't know if we will foster one bring in a juvenile or raise a baby yet.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

(please keep in mind I'm no expert on this)

Well for starters you'd have to decide which duck breed(s) you'd be getting, and how many. But for all ducks you'll need something for them to swim in, food and water (obviously), a secure enclosure, and bedding. Now I don't know what the weather is like for you, but depending in weather you have colder weather or warmer weather will have some effect as to what duck breed is good for you. I'm no expert but with warmer weather really any breed is fine, you just have to make sure there are places for them to go to get out of the sun and that they have fresh water to keep them cool. As for colder weather the larger size breeds like Pekins are much better, and will require pretty much the same thing as the would in warmer weather.

Hope this is helpful and that your duck experience is great!