The Quack Shack

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I have been distracted by emus and ostrich chicks, haha. Also dealing with rebuilding my flock after the dog attack - not sure if I shared about that in here - but I have guinea keets AND chicks arriving this week. Not sure how I managed to accidentally schedule them for the same week, but that ought to keep me busy, haha.

Yes, you told us about that horrible attack! - What was the final outcome with your neighbor?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I hope that it did not break the skin Frank. They can carry rabies and other diseases. They are terrible predators and I am sure it will try to return. I am glad that you were able to save her.

Ducks can't get rabies. Their body temp is too high.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducks can't get rabies. Their body temp is too high.

I believe @Luv Ducks was talking about the raccoon.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I believe @Luv Ducks was talking about the raccoon.

Yes I was.

 

[Luv Ducks]

It is just a bruise, but that bandit was not rabid. It was clear as distilled-water in its mind and not driven by a brain altering virus.
So far it has not returned this night but the peanut-buttered trap is set…

I caught my two with Marshmellows and a hot dog. They seem to love those too.

 

[Supercow]

Would they be chasing the girls around at 7 weeks old? That seems awfully Young

Our 2 ducklings (one girl, one unknown) that were the first to hatch are now 7 weeks old. They are BIG and fully feathered. Over the day they are in a separate enclosure among the adult ducks and over the night they are in the super safe garage.

The thing is - our drake is VERY, um, active. And he's definitely also very interested in the young ducks. He walks the perimeter of their space and complains.

We thought maybe over the day we can let them all run together provided they don't wander far from us so we can intervene as needed. But there's no way we're leaving the 2 youngsters in the duck house overnight except possibly in a dog crate.

Oh and here are the super cute 8 bandits from the second hatch, now concluding their third week.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Y

Our 2 ducklings (one girl, one unknown) that were the first to hatch are now 7 weeks old. They are BIG and fully feathered. Over the day they are in a separate enclosure among the adult ducks and over the night they are in the super safe garage.

The thing is - our drake is VERY, um, active. And he's definitely also very interested in the young ducks. He walks the perimeter of their space and complains.

We thought maybe over the day we can let them all run together provided they don't wander far from us so we can intervene as needed. But there's no way we're leaving the 2 youngsters in the duck house overnight except possibly in a dog crate.

Oh and here are the super cute 8 bandits from the second hatch, now concluding their third week.
View attachment 3860887

You def don't want your drake going after the young females. At 7 weeks old I have never had a drake that young going after any females Here it has always been the females get hormonal around 4 months and start chasing the drake around excluding Muscovy who mature later.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Our 2 ducklings (one girl, one unknown) that were the first to hatch are now 7 weeks old. They are BIG and fully feathered. Over the day they are in a separate enclosure among the adult ducks and over the night they are in the super safe garage.

The thing is - our drake is VERY, um, active. And he's definitely also very interested in the young ducks. He walks the perimeter of their space and complains.

We thought maybe over the day we can let them all run together provided they don't wander far from us so we can intervene as needed. But there's no way we're leaving the 2 youngsters in the duck house overnight except possibly in a dog crate.

Oh and here are the super cute 8 bandits from the second hatch, now concluding their third week.
View attachment 3860887

That is why I still have my two Call Ducks I got March 19th of this year separated from the rest of the flock with a look but not touch pen. It will be August before I can let them out with the others and by then my three biggest drakes should be rehomed. Drakes can be brutal on young hens, you are wise to keep them separated. How old is your drake?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Y

You def don't want your drake going after the young females. At 7 weeks old I have never had a drake that young going after any females Here it has always been the females get hormonal around 4 months and start chasing the drake around excluding Muscovy who mature later.

im not sure if the drake is 7 weeks old or if he is an older drake ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

im not sure if the drake is 7 weeks old or if he is an older drake ?

Who?