The Duck Thread

[Tevyes Dad]

He is really pretty! Too bad he doesn't get along with Greta. Maybe if you made sure that he didn't see Greta for a month or so he would forget her and they could restart their relationship?

In order to do that I would have to jail Greta too. Right now the ducks have access to his jail (on the outside) and Greta is just as doting as the other girls. They all spend about half the day doing their own thing and half the day hanging around the jail cell. I am just hoping that if she hangs with him and doesn't get attacked (because he can't) that maybe he will learn to put up with her. I really don't know what the problem is. When he first came into his hormones last year, he was attacking Pocahontas. After a month or two, his focus shifted to Greta. There are two things I can see in common. 1 they are both black, but Noir is black and Kaine is a sweet heart to her and has never attacked her since the day Tevye kicked his butt. (see Tevye - A Really Awesome Duck). 2 they are both very high on the pecking order but both defer to Kaine. Maybe he has to beat up the highest female to assert his position, I don't know. If I really had an idea, I would try to change whatever the issue was. Chasing Tevye on the other hand is obvious. He is a competing drake that is physically capable of beating Kaine up (but mentally would rather watch the clouds.)

 

[gander007]

I just realised tonight that Luda is losing a lot of neck feather and it looks patchy and sad! She has been molting a lot which is normal but should her neck be molting like this too? I only went to the vet a couple of weeks ago and he checked for parasites etc. if someone could just let me know if this is normal or not would be appreciated

Good and healthy and happy look duck but answer your question the answer will be all poultry look rather ragged during a molt but you can help out with some high protein feed to help promote feather growth ..

 

[MandyJ]

Question again...How do I give grit to day old ducklings? Should I put it in their feed or have a separate dish?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Hello fellow quackers! I haven't been on the duck thread for a little so I thought I'd say hi xD

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Question again...How do I give grit to day old ducklings? Should I put it in their feed or have a separate dish?

If their feed is duckling/chick crumble, it should have sufficient grit in it and for their first week or so, that would be all I would give them. If you are giving them additional food I would say separate. If you are mixing your own food I would probably put some in it, but that is beyond my experience.

 

[kris86AR]

Found me my first 3 duck eggs today. I have muscovies. Anyone have tips on cleaning, storing, nesting, or anything... I have chickens and a little understanding with them but so many questions with ducks now.

 

[tracyjg]

I would not wash them if your breeding them.in the incubator or giving them back to the ducks. If you're eating them yes. If your selling them as feral eggs no or giving them away no. Store them the same way you do the chicken eggs around ice outside air around It 60 degrees. I use an old broken down fridge or a cooler works best. If they fit in the egg cartons use them you buy.turn them slowly 3 times a day. Top bottom top mark x and o with a pencil.better to bread 7-10 days after they lay. Each day your results will very on live ducks or chickens

 

[tracyjg]

Selling as fertal eggs. Type o

 

[kris86AR]

How many days can you save them before putting in incubator

 

[MandyJ]

If their feed is duckling/chick crumble, it should have sufficient grit in it and for their first week or so, that would be all I would give them. If you are giving them additional food I would say separate. If you are mixing your own food I would probably put some in it, but that is beyond my experience.

Thanks, I have a commercial feed from Tractor Supply non medicated. I had seen somewhere that you needed to give the ducklings grit...was just wondering. After the first week do you give them grit in their food or just spread it around in their brooding tub?
Thanks again!