The Duck Thread

[MandyJ]

Good luck. Glad things are a little smoother today. Try to remember not to get stressed out. We don't need stress in our life! Lol

 

[MandyJ]

How do I find the "bulletin board"? I had a message on my phone that I had a message on my bulletin board???!!
Thanks!
Mandy

 

[Ren2014]

@MandyJ @CyndiD

This is my setup. Last night I split it basically down the middle with the ex-pen fence and that worked great. Of course everyone is upset about it but it did seem like the girls are happy to be on their own. This morning the girls are in the pen and the boys are free ranging. There are two girls upset about that now and one drake that wants his mate so badly. I plan on shifting the boys in later and letting the girls out to free range with the exception of the one drake who seems to be pining for his mate. They were our last two we got and they are usually inseparable. So I will see how it all does this afternoon. Thank you so much for your advice. It has helped tremendously. I am working so hard on this. Even on 4th of July

Great job! They don't ever show it but believe me, they will appreciate you in the long run

 

[Amiga]

Go to your profile page, look on the right side

 

[MandyJ]

Go to your profile page, look on the right side

Thanks, I found it! But is doesn't say "bulletin board" on that page, but the message is there. Oh well, at least I now know where to go.

Mandy

 

[Ren2014]

I've got ducklings getting ready to hatch soon from under a broody, and I was wondering if there's anything special I should be doing? I'm completely new to this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

~Alex

Congratulations on your first.

for successful hatching.

You might want to give her and ducklings privacy for at least a week. and if you have drakes you will want to keep them away from mama and babies at least 2-3 weeks unless they can all free range then drakes aren't as territorial. Just going by my own experience. Once mama wants to bring babies out make sure the flock can see the new members but can't get to them right off. Ducklings don't always stay as close to mama as they should and get hurt.

x2

Thank you, Miss Lydia! I had been wondering about the drake and whether he might harm the babies. Would a large dog cage work to house mommy and ducklings? I've got a rooster taking up residence in it at the moment, so he'll have to go.

~Alex

Cage? How far apart are the bars? Make sure the little ducklings can't get stuck or out.

Congratulations, Alex! I can't help you I have never hatched anything. I don't have any drakes. I have a hen that I think would like to go broody, she spends an awful lot of time on the nest, but she doesn't seem to REALLY know what to do. Mine are Pekins, I understand they don't sit on nests well. That may explain her actions.

Anyway, good luck! Hopefully someone will write to you with answers. I do know that mom needs to have water and feed near so that she doesn't have to leave the nest for very long. That's all the advice I have! Ha Ha!

Mandy

X2 a safe waterer for the little ones so as they hatch that they can't fall into.

You are so sweet, thanks!

I'll be sure to share pictures when they hatch.

You need to get a drake, because duck math is just waiting to be fulfilled!

Okay, I'll try to squeeze back in the corner to where she built her nest and set up a waterer and feeder.

Wish me the best in accomplishing this task!

~Alex

Make sure she is in a secure place. Predators love lil lings. I move my broodies from ground nests to a secure box after they have committed. Good luck

 

[Ren2014]

Ready to ParTAY

 

[Welshies]

Ready to ParTAY

 

[CyndiD]

I've got ducklings getting ready to hatch soon from under a broody, and I was wondering if there's anything special I should be doing? I'm completely new to this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Alex

i put up the chicken wire to seperate my youngest lings from the older ducks, for protection, plus the largest pekin in this pic is Ali and she is "special needs" duck; she doesnt walk well and the ducks trample over her when they all start running around in the duck house, when i come in.

this was back in Feb 2016 when my ducks went broody... i had 7 broody, they were broody in pairs, 2 ducks each shared a nest, except for 1 ducks, she was by herself. so i put up dividers, for privacy and to protect the ducklings from the ducks that were not broody and also to protect them from the broody ducks too. My drakes do not sleep w/my ducks. they have their own house.

my 2 f/w runners made their nest under the long brooder i made.

then after the lings started hatching they started coming out and were protected by the barrier i put up for them. i also hung a heat lamp for them since it was Feb, winter season.

my 2 f/w's hatched 10 lings and can you see the smallest one on the right, she was the last ling to hatch, 10 days after the first and i had to keep an eye on her and make sure she didnt get trampled.

hope this helps you think of ideas for your lings.

 

[Ren2014]

@MandyJ @CyndiD

This is my setup. Last night I split it basically down the middle with the ex-pen fence and that worked great. Of course everyone is upset about it but it did seem like the girls are happy to be on their own. This morning the girls are in the pen and the boys are free ranging. There are two girls upset about that now and one drake that wants his mate so badly. I plan on shifting the boys in later and letting the girls out to free range with the exception of the one drake who seems to be pining for his mate. They were our last two we got and they are usually inseparable. So I will see how it all does this afternoon. Thank you so much for your advice. It has helped tremendously. I am working so hard on this. Even on 4th of July

Where did you get the blue pool/liner?