The Duck Thread

[AxolotlLove]

Its alright for them to be with chickens, I use wood chips for the bedding, they would probably need a big pen with a kiddie pool if you don't have a pond. Sometimes the chickens get aggressive towards duck and scare them. So you'll need to frees them separately. Ducks eat different food then chickens too. I feed mine whole corn.

 

[needlessjunk]

I have googled this but to no avail. Can anyone tell me why female ducks tuck their tails under, squat as in pain and act like it's hard to walk, often flapping their wings when trying to walk? I don't believe they are eggbound nor do they have Marek's so are there any other possibilities? Thanks for your help.

I have never seen that before. When my ducks get mad at the chickens they put their heads down and charge them or try to dive bomb them and get on their backs. That behavior looks very concerning to me.

 

[bensamjo]

X2

O my, can't say I've ever seen this but it appears to me as a defense mechanism. Meaning she is trying to scare off the other birds. She's walking (at other times) and eating/drinking normally, right? Congrats on getting the video loaded

yes, as far as i know she eats and drinks....she just looks and sounds like she's in pain when she does it. the other one wasn't doing it this particular night. (and thanks! i had to upload it to youtube first then paste the link here)

 

[Lamaremybabies]

It doesn't look like she's doing it in pain it looks to me more like aggression towards the other birds. Maybe she gets picked on???

 

[Miss Lydia]

yes, as far as i know she eats and drinks....she just looks and sounds like she's in pain when she does it. the other one wasn't doing it this particular night. (and thanks! i had to upload it to youtube first then paste the link here)

@bensamjo I thought she look injured and she was using her wings to help her move fast and anything out of the ordinary scares the rest so they were running from her. Have you picked her up and examined her. All over from head to toe?

 

[PotatoWaffles]

@bensamjo
I thought she look injured and she was using her wings to help her move fast and anything out of the ordinary scares the rest so they were running from her. Have you picked her up and examined her. All over from head to toe?

That's what it looked like to me too. Or maybe something neurological? I think there's something definitely wrong though.

 

[Ravynscroft]

@bensamjo I thought she look injured and she was using her wings to help her move fast and anything out of the ordinary scares the rest so they were running from her. Have you picked her up and examined her. All over from head to toe?

X2!!

That's what it looked like to me too. Or maybe something neurological? I think there's something definitely wrong though.

X2 Doesn't look like what I thought was being described, that is very concerning... looks like balance issues to me... whether it is leg issues or neuro, I dunno... For now, I would try supplementing with Niacin asap... I've seen my Crash duck do a short stumble flop when she stood on one leg so long she forgot to put it back down, but nothing that extreme... I hope you figure it out, but I would definitely check the legs and feet first for injuries, bumble, swelling...

 

[fearnowsh]

Hello. newbie here. (can I be considered a newbie even though I don't have my ducks yet??) I am looking for advice as we are building our duck house. I live in a wooded area, so plenty of shade and few spots of sun. Our property goes up to a river (north of us) and we are basically at the top of a hill that goes down to the river with some level places. Good conditions for some damp ground. Have you guys painted or stained your duck houses? I'm thinking I will want to in order the keep the wood we are using for the house from rotting too quickly. Any recommendations or ideas? It will be up off the ground, but I'm still worried because it can get so humid and damp.

 

[AxolotlLove]

Mine is built from wood, there is a slanted ridged roof to keep rain from soaking in. Mines not painted all the way but the edges are. It's up to you to decide, (most) paint doesn't harm ducks bc they won't eat it.

 

[tracyjg]

Question? What brand of feed does everyone start with for baby ducks for juvenile ducks for elder ducks or wild ducks. What treats given where do you get it if local feed store doesn't have it. Supplements . I know fresh fish. But what kind of fish gold fish cod salmon fresh water fish tropical fish salt water fish. Corn on cob corn in a can or local feed store corn. Barley what kind of grains. Local feed store or local grocery store. I know my chickens like oatmeal and my rabbits get rolled oats. You would put food in any shallow bowel plastic of water and food or ones you would get for a chicken. Where do I find it. I can't find it at my local cal ranch store. But maybe I can call jones feed store in area. Can peas or frozen peas or fresh peas when available.