The Migratory/Ornamental Waterfowl INFO Thread

[kangababy]

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Tell me about it.. I have lost three hens lately.. @ bahama Pintails and 1 Silver Wood Duck Hen.. They are in my freezer though because they look good

 

[kangababy]

So we added some cover this weekend.... How mcuh more do we need on that side??
We were going to put Cedar on one saide because that is what we have alot of on our land since the quail never go over there but you can see where they are.. and pine on the other!

 

[destinduck]

Kanga your best bet is to spread your boxes on the ground all out so each hen has her own area, ALL AROUND your pond. Your left sides starting to look good on your third pic. Put lots of cover all up and down that right side. Cmon waterdog and aubrey what would yall do? We gotta help Kangababy have ducklings all over

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yep, just replied on Destins thread, but will here too.
About 10 feet between boxes minimum, they like to not feel invaded, and the thicker over all the better.
Go dig up some old wild shrub in your area and plant in there to thicken the over all look of the pen too and helps with shade for them.
Pen looks awesome, just needs to be thickened up.

Go back to whatever page my pics ended up on and look how secluded the pen looks.
Tree in out area that do great around ponds , grow fast, and help shade and thicken the pen are black willows (grow like weeds here), river birch, pretty much anything you find grown around rivers and ponds , I would just go around the farm, we have a creek here and dig up small ones, by the second season, they were almost touching the top of the netting, then just prun them back.
Willows were mainly what I had in mine.

Then all the fresh trimmings you can get. Once you get heavy planted cover, the need for all the limbs goes down. Also another GREAT one for us to use in them is pampass grass, it grows fast, and thick and they LOVE nesting in it.

 

[kangababy]

We are going to plant lots of stuff this spring.. Thanks though for looking.. We have like 20 more boxes to build and get in there!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yep it usually takes 2-4 years to get the aviaries "fixed" up just like you (well the ducks) like it. Looks like you're coming along very well and have an EXCELLENT collection of very healthy looking birds so far. Once you get it all planted up, it'll make a tremendous difference for you.
For now, just spread those boxes out a little, and load it up with clutter

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

WOW that is one of the most awesomist aviaries I have ever seen!!! Someday...

 

[kangababy]

Thanks for the Ideas and we will work more on it this weekend!!

The pond took about 24 hours to fill back up and the ducks are loving their fresh clean water....
And the best news... My Smew shipped this morning so they should be here tomorrow!!!!!

and of course once I get them I will post pictures!!!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

congrats on the smew!

 

[kangababy]

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Thanks! They are safely in and at Marks.. Can't wait to go get them after work!!

Sad news though I lost a white mandarin hen yesterday... 4 hens in a month and a half!!