The Duck Thread

[MandyJ]

Hey there, not really good at working this site,
It's been a long time since I've logged on....just saying hello! I own two mallard ducks and live in the Johnstown-Altoona Pa area and was wondering if anyone would be interested in about a dozen mallard ducklings! Free as long as I am sure it is a good home!

Welcome back! I am trying to find grown duck hens (anyone know of any in Central Texas?), but I do think you are a "fer piece" from Texas! Good luck finding them homes.
Mandy

 

[MandyJ]

Duck lover!

I agree!
Mandy

 

[MandyJ]

I don't currently don't have chickens, but I did a few years ago, and I can VERY truthfully say, I PREFER DUCKS OVER CHICKENS BY A LOT!
Why? Well, let's just say my last chickens were nightmares. I love how ducks never really grow-up. I love how they swim and splash like nut-heads in the pool. I love how they lay more eggs than the chickens ever did. I love their quacking. I love their cute webbies. I LOVE their babies!

. I love them when they go outside when it starts to rain, and start quacking their heads off. I just love them!

So pretty! What are you using for their pool? It looks like a cattle water tank. I use a kiddie pool but it isn't quite deep enough for them to swim.
Mandy

 

[Mudbillkisses]

My ancona, Persi, is being treated for EYP and is on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. She seems to be doing well. I just noticed red mites of some kind crawling on her. My muscovy duck, Lucy, sitting next to her noticed and ate them. I have never noticed these on the birds before. I have noticed them on me when I've spent time outside here or there but I'm wondering what kind of mite it is and if I should be concerned. I also use the deep litter method and I'm wondering if I use DE, will that be counter productive for the bedding. If the mites are a problem, I want to address it...and I want to know if they can harm my ducks. Thanks for your suggestions and info

 

[The Duck Ladie]

So pretty! What are you using for their pool? It looks like a cattle water tank. I use a kiddie pool but it isn't quite deep enough for them to swim.
Mandy

I use a stock tank. I got it when the were ducklings and used it for a brooder, and now it's their pool. They get into it by a stone walkway.

 

[MandyJ]

How often do you have to drain it? Do you have a plug in the bottom? About what size is it? Looks like something we could use. Did you get the tank at tractor supply?
Thanks!
Mandy

 

[MandyJ]

What kind of duck is that in the last picture. It looks brown and white. She is beautiful!

 

[JanetMarie]

We've had our Muscovies for less than a month. They are wonderful.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ancona, Persi, is being treated for EYP and is on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. She seems to be doing well. I just noticed red mites of some kind crawling on her. My muscovy duck, Lucy, sitting next to her noticed and ate them. I have never noticed these on the birds before. I have noticed them on me when I've spent time outside here or there but I'm wondering what kind of mite it is and if I should be concerned. I also use the deep litter method and I'm wondering if I use DE, will that be counter productive for the bedding. If the mites are a problem, I want to address it...and I want to know if they can harm my ducks. Thanks for your suggestions and info

@Mudbillkisses Mites are blood sucking so you def want to treat your birds and coops. Here is some info I found on line
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...-signs-of-mites-or-lice-and-how-do-I-H79.aspx

When we had a mite infestation i used inside my coop Neem tree oil mixed in a garden sprayer with warm water. sprayed the house top to bottom roost and all bedding let it dry all day with windows and doors open. For the birds you can use poultry dust get a large paper bag put poultry dust in. put bird in feet first close bag up around neck with head out and shake the bag gently till bird is completely covered. usually water fowl don't get external parasites if they have plenty of bathing water. But with her immune system fighting off this infection that maybe why she has them. You can also use Poultry protector which is a natural enzymes that kill mites i buy it on line but since I have used Neem inside the houses i haven't had any mites. I spray Poultry Protector on my roosts and bedding about 1X a week.

 

[DancingWthDucks]

We've had our Muscovies for less than a month. They are wonderful.

I love Muscovies, but I haven't got them *yet*.