The Duck Thread

[Spyderk117]

Has anyone had any experiences with this netting?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products

-Netting-Poultry/dp/B005LXUQJ6/ref=pd_sim_199_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Mglqm3%2BPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=ES1QK9NPYK3AHWFRP68V

 

[jtn42248]

Has anyone had any experiences with this netting?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products

-Netting-Poultry/dp/B005LXUQJ6/ref=pd_sim_199_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Mglqm3%2BPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=ES1QK9NPYK3AHWFRP68V

Not that brand but I have used nylon netting on our fruit trees to keep birds from damaging them when they begin to produce. One word of caution though. Birds, snakes, lots of things will get trapped in the netting and if you don't check it regularly and release them it will be a nasty death to them. If you plan on using it as "fencing" for your chickens keep in mind that it is 2" netting so they will be able to get their heads through it and could become tangled as well.

 

[Spyderk117]

Not that brand but I have used nylon netting on our fruit trees to keep birds from damaging them when they begin to produce. One word of caution though. Birds, snakes, lots of things will get trapped in the netting and if you don't check it regularly and release them it will be a nasty death to them. If you plan on using it as "fencing" for your chickens keep in mind that it is 2" netting so they will be able to get their heads through it and could become tangled as well.

Okay. It's going to be for my duck pen roof. I have 3 Mallards and I don't want them flying out of their pen.
Thank you for the warnings.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

Hi everyone, I have been wanting to add a few ducks to my flock of chickens but had a few questions. Does anyone know the best heat hardy ducks for the southwest? I was looking at cayguas, blue swedish, call ducks and khaki campbells. What is the ratio of males to females that you can keep together? Every website seems to have a different opinion. Will drakes fight with a rooster? And what is your opinion on the flavor of duck eggs? Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

 

[EmilyP]

Very informative. I think his feet are clean, at least compared to mine's. But then again mine free range all day long. Ha Ha...AND 4 out of 7 have black feet!

Thanks again.
Mandy

So we soaked again today. He is still limping around, to be expected I think. I don't want to dig into his foot anymore but I'm not sure how to tell if I for sure got everything out. Nothing bled last night. Here's a photo of it today after it soaked

I know the picture is not great but any feedback would be very helpful.
Here's a pic of us hangin out while soaking. And don't let the picture fool you that is a 45gal tub he's in, the picture makes him look small.

 

[jtn42248]

Hi everyone, I have been wanting to add a few ducks to my flock of chickens but had a few questions. Does anyone know the best heat hardy ducks for the southwest? I was looking at cayguas, blue swedish, call ducks and khaki campbells. What is the ratio of males to females that you can keep together? Every website seems to have a different opinion. Will drakes fight with a rooster? And what is your opinion on the flavor of duck eggs? Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

We live in West Central Texas and our temps this time of year dance with triple digits daily. The last few days it has consistently topped out around 103 or above. We have Cayugas, Blue Swedish, Khaki Campbells, one Runner and one mixed breed. They all seem to do fine in the heat so long as they have plenty of water to drink and splash in and plenty of shade. We do have a pretty steady wind here as well which probably helps us.

Ratio of male to female should never be below one male to every 5 or more females. Anything else can result in the females being overbred which can lead to injury or fatality. And, yes drakes will fight with roosters, don't know if it is actually the other way around. We had to finally create a space apart for the chickens and ducks and geese because everyone seemed intent on killing each other. Also, a drake mating with a hen (chicken) can kill the chicken. It is an anatomy thing.

Duck eggs are actually very good. Frying them can lead to a hard egg white if cooked to hot and fast but as scramble or for baking they can not be beat. They make great omelets also. My favorite is scrambled with serrano peppers, onions, tomatoes and some cheese on top. Or scrambled with chorizo is also very good. They do tend to have higher nutritional values and less water in the albumin. I have read that a person with chicken egg allergies can eat duck eggs but I don't know that to be true.

This is all based on my experience with my ducks. I know there are stories here on BYC that differ. Whatever, just enjoy your ducks if you get them. There really are a treasure.

PS our Cayugas and Khakis are the real egg layers in the bunch.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

We live in West Central Texas and our temps this time of year dance with triple digits daily. The last few days it has consistently topped out around 103 or above. We have Cayugas, Blue Swedish, Khaki Campbells, one Runner and one mixed breed. They all seem to do fine in the heat so long as they have plenty of water to drink and splash in and plenty of shade. We do have a pretty steady wind here as well which probably helps us.

Ratio of male to female should never be below one male to every 5 or more females. Anything else can result in the females being overbred which can lead to injury or fatality. And, yes drakes will fight with roosters, don't know if it is actually the other way around. We had to finally create a space apart for the chickens and ducks and geese because everyone seemed intent on killing each other. Also, a drake mating with a hen (chicken) can kill the chicken. It is an anatomy thing.

Duck eggs are actually very good. Frying them can lead to a hard egg white if cooked to hot and fast but as scramble or for baking they can not be beat. They make great omelets also. My favorite is scrambled with serrano peppers, onions, tomatoes and some cheese on top. Or scrambled with chorizo is also very good. They do tend to have higher nutritional values and less water in the albumin. I have read that a person with chicken egg allergies can eat duck eggs but I don't know that to be true.

This is all based on my experience with my ducks. I know there are stories here on BYC that differ. Whatever, just enjoy your ducks if you get them. There really are a treasure.

PS our Cayugas and Khakis are the real egg layers in the bunch.

Thank you so much. The only reason I would get drakes is because call ducks are straight run. I can't find them sexed anywhere! But all the other breeds I like I can get all female. So I may have to give up my dream of owning a cute little call duck. Because I have a rooster and it wouldn't really be worth them fighting or a drake hurting my hens. And I don't have the room, time or money to build a seperate duck pen. I have heard duck eggs are really good and would love to try them. But my mom says If we get ducks theirs no way she will eat their eggs. But she has no problem eating chicken eggs. Not sure why people act like it's really that big of a difference. Oh well, more eggs for me

 

[NathanZee]

Has anyone had any experiences with this netting?
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products

-Netting-Poultry/dp/B005LXUQJ6/ref=pd_sim_199_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Mglqm3%2BPL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=ES1QK9NPYK3AHWFRP68V

I'm not exactly sure ours is the same brand and everything, but that looks exactly like what we use for the duck pen. I don't want to go against @jtn42248 but we haven't ever had anything get stuck in it except for when our old Khaki Campbell drake flew onto it and trapped himself.

 

[jtn42248]

Thank you so much. The only reason I would get drakes is because call ducks are straight run. I can't find them sexed anywhere! But all the other breeds I like I can get all female. So I may have to give up my dream of owning a cute little call duck. Because I have a rooster and it wouldn't really be worth them fighting or a drake hurting my hens. And I don't have the room, time or money to build a seperate duck pen. I have heard duck eggs are really good and would love to try them. But my mom says If we get ducks theirs no way she will eat their eggs. But she has no problem eating chicken eggs. Not sure why people act like it's really that big of a difference. Oh well, more eggs for me

I have the same experience here. We donate our surplus eggs to a food pantry. At first everyone was "YUK!!! Duck Eggs!!! No Way" but when that is all you have you brake down and eat them or use them to bake something. Now they actually ask for them. We can't give them enough to keep everyone happy. You might try making a really nice omelet someday (on the sly) and see if your mom notices anything. But that is wrong of me to suggest you do something to trick your mother. Sorry.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

I have the same experience here. We donate our surplus eggs to a food pantry. At first everyone was "YUK!!! Duck Eggs!!! No Way" but when that is all you have you brake down and eat them or use them to bake something. Now they actually ask for them. We can't give them enough to keep everyone happy. You might try making a really nice omelet someday (on the sly) and see if your mom notices anything. But that is wrong of me to suggest you do something to trick your mother. Sorry.

Lol, no that's not wrong . I was thinking I could make a plate of cookies or brownies and wait for everyone to eat them all. Then see if they still felt the same way about the duck eggs. Donating is a good idea, when my pullets start laying I'll probably have too many. And I'm not sure how many I'll be able to give away to family.