The Indoor/Outdoor duck thread

[newgoosegirl]

Why, thank you!

Haha, Sticky does that too! When she's on the porch by the glass I always hear, "____, your goose is knocking!" Then I bring her in.

 

[nettie]

as most on BYC know, My ducks live exclusively indoors.

They currently have their own bedroom with a brand new pen we made exclusively out of Ikea cabinet frames with a little altering. We'll have to get some pics (maybe tomorrow after they get shoveled, sunday seems to be shoveling day). Having them in their own room helps with the smells, as well as an air purifier with a baking soda add on. We also place fridge baking soda boxes around the room and sometimes the odor killing cones too (none with a perfume). We use Pellets that expand to saw dust for their bedding and it works great. We usually only have to change out the section by the waterer the most often (every couple days) but the other areas can go much longer before needing a change. We're contemplating using pine shavings underneath the pellets for extra fluff for their feet, but haven't tried it yet. We keep the food and water at least 4-5 feet apart to help prevent the food from getting gross. We also put their food bowls on little ledges (basically a small tub turned upside down) so they don't root too much and waste food. We keep two food bowls out, one with god stuff in it, and the other exclusively pellets. We also keep a free choice oyster shell and grit bowls for them. The get whatever natural light comes through the big windows and have night time lights on a timer (we use full spectrum lights). They also have an enclosed nest box section so they can get away from the light if need be. The temp stays around 69 in the winter and 75 in the summer. When it's nice out we do take them for walks and let them in our very small backyard with a kiddie pool and a dog house. They usually only go out for a few hours before wanting back in, often ignoring the pool and house and just root around. They always get a bath or shower every night. They get fresh foods every single day that include greens, proteins, carbs, sugars (fruit), etc. When they need it, we'll give them an extra heater or humidifier in their room. Each gets petted or snoogled as they want (when they are in the mood). They get diapered from time to time, usually only one or two ducks at a time to spend some extra human time on the couch or bed. We also have bed pads so we can spend some quick time on the bed after their bath. They get "Breakfast" every morning (puffed rice and/or pond food in their water bowl) every morning after they get their pets from me. They are so used to their routine that if we make them go outside, they often get pretty angry at us. Tomorrow it's supposed to get up to 40 degrees but we still have tons of snow, so were forcing them to go play in the snow. We'll see who holds grudges and who enjoys it tomorrow... my guess is that 2 of the six will kinda like it, while two will be upset, and the other two will be downright mad. lol. I'll post pictures once I get them!

 

[nettie]

OH and BY THE WAY.........

We are working on a reusable washable diaper insert pad for our harnesses! We're still working out the exact design but as for absorbency and washablity, we have that figured out. We've tried a couple different shapes, but haven't found the perfect one yet. We're hoping to announce them along with another "green" product by april!

 

[nettie]

Quote:
i have this book, although it is more geared and biased towards geese, which were Nancy's favorite. It does give some good ideas, but some of the ideas don't work for everyone. It's neat, but I would't follow it like a bible or anything. I'd take what you can from it, to learn, but then try things your own way. She diapered her birds 23 hours a day, which is something I do not do.

Maybe for those who are new to indoor ducks, we could mail my copy around to anyone who needs it. I could collect names and addresses of those wanting to read it (it's quiet frankly super expensive for a spiral bond regular sheet paper book) and we could send it down the line once done reading. I don't mind if it doesn't come back to me, just as long as it goes to the next person who'd want to read it. If interested, give me a PM!

 

[newgoosegirl]

Quote:
i have this book, although it is more geared and biased towards geese, which were Nancy's favorite. It does give some good ideas, but some of the ideas don't work for everyone. It's neat, but I would't follow it like a bible or anything. I'd take what you can from it, to learn, but then try things your own way. She diapered her birds 23 hours a day, which is something I do not do.

Maybe for those who are new to indoor ducks, we could mail my copy around to anyone who needs it. I could collect names and addresses of those wanting to read it (it's quiet frankly super expensive for a spiral bond regular sheet paper book) and we could send it down the line once done reading. I don't mind if it doesn't come back to me, just as long as it goes to the next person who'd want to read it. If interested, give me a PM!

Hmm, ok. I've been wondering about that book, since I've gotten my diapers so far from her and seen it around. If it's geared towards geese maybe I should consider.

But then again, still horse-showing. Maybe not.

Does anybody else get disturbing comments when they have their birds in public?
Most people are just like, "Cool, is that a duck?" Also fairly often someone asks if she bites because they knew a goose who was really mean. But every so often I get asked, "All ready for Christmas, huh?"

Also recently some guy told me a story of how there was a goose who attacked him but then he carried a big stick around and once it attacked him but he fought back and it was killed..
I was like, "Ok...Didn't need to know that. At all...My goose is sweet, anyways...Why are you telling a kid who has a nice little pet goose about this?

"

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have to agree that some people who have never owned waterfowl can sometimes be insensitive. I just kind of switch off to those kind of stories nowadays.

I had my goose at an animal expo over the weekend- and she was a hit with the kids. Many young kids had never seen one before- but knew she wasnt a duck. The Expo was more geared to dogs and cats- and there were a few stands with dog clothing. I couldnt resist buying Max 2 ties. One is a red check pattern and the other is a bow tie. I have to make some adjustments to the size- but she looked very cute wearing it. I only left it on for a minute while taking photos- but she didnt even seem to notice it was on her. We had a number of chickens on display and I had also taking in 6 of my fawn Indian Runner ducklings- but it was Max the goose who was the talking point. I was surprise at how many people asked me about the living and care requirements for geese as they had been wanting to get some but werent sure what they would need to do to their properties to be able to keep them. I only had one man say how scared he was of them as his grandfather had kept some years before and they attacked him when he went to close to a nesting goose. I quickly had Max out of the pen and let him pat her. Very hesitant at first- but he was surprised at how quiet she was. So glad I helped to change his opinion of geese.

My current total of Inside ducks is 31. This week is going to see me so busy. About half of them will be going to my poultry clubs auction this weekend- but until then I will continue to enjoy their company. Some of the remaining ones are old enough to be going outside next weekend as well- so next week the number will be back down to about 10. Its sure is going to be quiet here.

 

[Snipes]

Indoor ducks are so spoiled in the cold! We went on a road trip to Portland over the weekend, and in the morning I brought them outside to eat and play a bit before getting them in the car, and it was just barely freezing out, and after they exploded and gobbled and splashed their food around, they just sat down, shivering, and refused to walk about. My friend who had 2 ducks (their siblings in fact) until a raccoon got them, said that theirs took 20 degree temps just fine and my boys are spoiled rotten!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I often think about providing a heat source for my adult ducks out in the shed over winter. No snow here but it does sometimes go below freezing at night. Being in a draft free area- they manage ok though- but having them inside isnt an option with so many. I have even joked about moving out to the shed myself so I can be with them since they cant all come into the house. I have 31 house ducks currently...only until the weekend though.. I have the fawns, whites and a few poorly marked harlequin ducks and all but 3 drakelets going to the auction held by my Poultry club. It sure will be quiet here next week... but I will still have about 15 in the house for a further week until the oldest go outside as well.

My gas bill for heating last winter was pretty high though as I had the heat on low day and night because of the ducklings and the inside disabled ducks I care for. Ollie will have to learn to tollerate the cooler days inside this year- or i will get him an oil space heater rather than run the ducted heating throughout the whole house day and night.