The Quack Shack

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Hawks are awful predators I had a small hawk get one of my cochin bantams in spring. They are beautiful birds but they go for easy prey. We used to be covered up with rabbits and it seems they are gone. We have Eagles but thank goodness they stay along the river which is about a football field away from us. I do have predator tape hanging all over which is why we named our acreage Tackie Acreas.

I'm sorry they got one of yours again

The grown up hawks are rarely a problem here. Yes, they take out ducklings when Mommas are inexperienced and don't pay attention, but they don't attack grown up ducks, because they know they won't be able to fly away with their prey. - The young hawk's don't know that and when they are hungry and desperate they just hit on the first animal that moves…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Frank mine must sense the netting and know not to try it. They have been up in very tall trees and seen the ducks but don't bother to even try to get them.

I don't know what kind of netting you have. I have covered a part of the duck-run with netting, but will take it down asap, as i had the "joy" to free an entangled Mrs. Mallard out of that this afternoon.

Can you see the netting on this picture?

Can you see it now?

Here is the detailed view of the netting:

Missus mallard was lucky this afternoon that i saw her flying into the net, was quickly there to help her and that she is not too scared of me.
On the other hand, the chickadees were using the net to dangle upside down over the duck-yard, looking for food bits to snatch.
I need to find netting that is more visible and made out of thicker threads.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Of course we played another round of »Hungry Hungry Ducklings!« today:

After that everyducky was tired and wanted to nap:

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Me, feeling high-spirited i dared to play another round of the game…
Involving six cheeky ducknagers...
One dragon-baby…
Two pushy young ducks…
And two insane Duck Mommas! 🗜🗡☠

I survived. Barely…

 

[Luv Ducks]

I don't know what kind of netting you have. I have covered a part of the duck-run with netting, but will take it down asap, as i had the "joy" to free an entangled Mrs. Mallard out of that this afternoon.

Can you see the netting on this picture?

Can you see it now?

Here is the detailed view of the netting:

Missus mallard was lucky this afternoon that i saw her flying into the net, was quickly there to help her and that she is not too scared of me.
On the other hand, the chickadees were using the net to dangle upside down over the duck-yard, looking for food bits to snatch.
I need to find netting that is more visible and made out of thicker threads.

My netting is darker and has very small holes. It is used to keep out deer and is strong. It is nothing like yours. I have even used the green poultry fence in part of their pen which is very strong and very visible to keep out birds and such. I have it held up by painter poles and a board. I also put together some flower trellises that are made out of cheaper metal this summer but I am not sure how they will work when the snow hits. I go out with a broom and smack it underneath when heavy snow gets on it to keep it from collapsing. I have it all over the chain link fence that surrounds the pen too to keep the birds out. That must be why the hawks can see mine so much better and never try to get in it. Having a smaller area than you makes it more easier for me to accomplish Frank.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Of course we played another round of »Hungry Hungry Ducklings!« today:

After that everyducky was tired and wanted to nap:

Your ducklings are so tame Frank and so Sweet. They sure love those peas, mine won't touch them, lol.

 

[Supercow]

Me, feeling high-spirited i dared to play another round of the game…
Involving six cheeky ducknagers...
One dragon-baby…
Two pushy young ducks…
And two insane Duck Mommas! 🗜🗡☠

I survived. Barely…

They really love their peas, ours are like that as well They hear the terrace door opening - aha, it's a human, surely they are bringing peas, let's encourage them by shouting

 

[Luv Ducks]

My netting is darker and has very small holes. It is used to keep out deer and is strong. It is nothing like yours. I have even used the green poultry fence in part of their pen which is very strong and very visible to keep out birds and such. I have it held up by painter poles and a board. I also put together some flower trellises that are made out of cheaper metal this summer but I am not sure how they will work when the snow hits. I go out with a broom and smack it underneath when heavy snow gets on it to keep it from collapsing. I have it all over the chain link fence that surrounds the pen too to keep the birds out. That must be why the hawks can see mine so much better and never try to get in it. Having a smaller area than you makes it more easier for me to accomplish Frank.

I get my netting from our local Menards store. I don't know if you have those stores in WV or not. They are like a Home Depot or Lowes only usually cheaper.

 

[Supercow]

Friends, some practical questions ...

1. Let's say we have 2 duck houses, one for the older flock and one for the young. They remain separated for a while and then they are allowed to mingle during the day. What happens in the evening?

- they each go to their own house,
- everybody tries to cram into a single house,
- something random and a bit different every day?

2. When is it safe to merge young ducks and drakes into the adult flock of 8 ladies and 1 very active drake?

- only when they are sexually mature, as demonstrated by first eggs,
- or can it be done safely (without expected harm to the young ducks) before that?

The young crew are now 3 months old (2 of them) and 2 months old (7 of them). They are most likely 5-6 ladies and the rest are young drakes.

Thank you!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Your ducklings are so tame Frank and so Sweet. They sure love those peas, mine won't touch them, lol.

Mister Harry Duckhini, their dad, does not like to eat peas at all. He tries one but spits it out with disgust every time. Also there are very few of my grown up ducks who like peas. You may have noticed the Runners in the background of the second video, they are not at all interested in peas.