The Migratory/Ornamental Waterfowl INFO Thread

[Matapatos]

BBB,

I melt in the heat! I'm good if it never clears the 80 degree mark... But we have the 90's for most of the summer and only 3 or 4 days in the hundreds this year. Still, I melt! Almost any northern state, the north part of it, would be fine with me. But the fam is down here and my wife loves the heat!

And I get ya on the breeding season part. I'll hafta get that thing done sometime during the winter, duck season... Hmmm... maybe late january, feb when its over!

Travis

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
excellent post and point!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

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yep you got plenty of time for pen work, wait til it cools off a bit, hate to find you in puddle form one day

I'm the exact opposite, I freeze to death, 30 and up is best for me, well actually 45 and up... we dont own any jackets down here, lol

 

[KansasKid]

Great, I would love to have some of those. Maybe next year. I got lucky Teal Season runs September 11-26

(they still have yet to set regular duck season dates)

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yep, you're good on the chiloes, and cool thing with them, is they are one of those species with like colored sexes. both the american and european are on the federal list, and watch the hens between the two, it takes a well trained eye to tell a american and european hen apart, I cant even tell you in words, it's one of those you just have to know what you are looking at deals , they are so close.
It's hard to beat the chiloes's though for color in the widgeon family...get ya some, you'll love them

 

[HottentotTeal]

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I get a lot of crazy looks at work during "winter," when people ask me where is my jacket.

They ask me this when it's only 60 degrees outside. That's good weather for wearing shorts!






I'm seeing a bunch of tiny feathers in the aviary now. They aren't main feathers, but very light and almost white downy type feathers. Both of the ducks seem fine visually. Is this normal and ok?

I think the Hottentots aren't supposed to molt, but I don't know what to make of the little baby feathers. I can take a pic tomorrow if you need to see it. There are a lot of them (20) in the corner under a grassy plant. I'm not sure if wind blew it all there or what, but it's kinda close to the area they just sit and eat at all day.

 

[KansasKid]

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I am most likely going to get some in the future but it probably won't be till next year, building my new aviary and paying for my ringed teal is taking a chunk outa my funds, plus my dad said no more ducks but if i sell some of my mallards and Rouens i think i can talk him into it.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
I get a lot of crazy looks at work during "winter," when people ask me where is my jacket.

They ask me this when it's only 60 degrees outside. That's good weather for wearing shorts!






I'm seeing a bunch of tiny feathers in the aviary now. They aren't main feathers, but very light and almost white downy type feathers. Both of the ducks seem fine visually. Is this normal and ok?

I think the Hottentots aren't supposed to molt, but I don't know what to make of the little baby feathers. I can take a pic tomorrow if you need to see it. There are a lot of them (20) in the corner under a grassy plant. I'm not sure if wind blew it all there or what, but it's kinda close to the area they just sit and eat at all day.

Yes they are molting, all birds do it, hottentots just dont have an eclipes plumage, they stay the same year round, but they will do 2 molts a year

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
I am most likely going to get some in the future but it probably won't be till next year, building my new aviary and paying for my ringed teal is taking a chunk outa my funds, plus my dad said no more ducks but if i sell some of my mallards and Rouens i think i can talk him into it.

LOL,
I know the feeling,
hey, I 'd drop those domestics in a heartbeat if it meant getting more wild species too....

 

[Matapatos]

Quote:
I am most likely going to get some in the future but it probably won't be till next year, building my new aviary and paying for my ringed teal is taking a chunk outa my funds, plus my dad said no more ducks but if i sell some of my mallards and Rouens i think i can talk him into it.

LOL,
I know the feeling,
hey, I 'd drop those domestics in a heartbeat if it meant getting more wild species too....

Same here! Money is most always an issue, which hobby to spend it on? But the good thing with the birds, you can make it back and then some! There is nothing compared to the wild species... Just love getting to know them more and watching them chill and interact. Many don't make the annoying quacks and loud noises for a plus!

57 days! No early teal or goose season...

Travis