The Quack Shack

[Luv Ducks]

"For the first time in recorded history, the GULF COAST is under a blizzard warning."

What are you guys doing ??

It's just our Global Warming that they keep telling us about, lol.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

 

[Moments]

Good morning folks of BYC! My name is Trimurtisan, but to keep it easy, just call me Trim.

I did an introduction, but here's some more general information about myself and what's got me going quackers. I am a 36 year old father of eight, although only two of those happen to be human. We also have two cats, two dogs, and as of recently two ducks. I've always loved nature and gardening, but about six years ago I had a string of surgeries that left me with a much different disposition on life. During that time I would go multiple weeks without being able to consume food, had multiple adverse reactions leading to flatlining twice, and essentially being institutionalized from being in the hospital for extended periods of time. If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask, but long story short my physical and mental health today or the best it's been in my entire life. Also, due to my medical past, I no longer work a 9-5. I'm a very happy-to-be, stay home dad

So back to nature and gardening... A few years ago we bought our own house, and I was finally able to have my own garden. I started off with about 50 gallons of soil in 1 raised bed, last year it went to about 200 gallons worth of soil, this year I'm doing about 1/8 of an acre with ~400sqft of trellises. My oldest son (5yrs) also has his own garden and loves to help tend the plants.

For about 6 months I've been researching quail for egg production. I was 100% sure quail was what I wanted to do. It brought back memories of calling or to my neighbors bobwhites I was a kid. Yup, quail is going to change my life. Then I met a sweet old man who hand raised 2 Pekin ducks that he could no longer care for. I went to meet the ducks, and that's all it took. I love about any animal, but starting a homestead is my goal, so we now have ducks.

In all honesty, in a very short period of time in love with them. We have one Drake and one female, they are extremely bonded and will not leave each other site. I'm not 100% sure if they like me but they will eat out of my hand and get within 4-5 feet of me without freaking out. They also seem to prefer to forage near me vs farther away.

This had lead to a massive amount of research while sitting in the garden just watching them play/eat/swim/sleep. It's also led to a decision change of how we are going for our egg production. I can't kill an animal I love, and it's inevitable that I would fall in love with any ducks that I have so meat is out of the question. Integrated Pest Management, eggs, another source of compost, and just the general entertainment though, really make this seem like the correct route for our family to go.

It's time to take my son to school. It's his last day and he's excited to go. I'll stop in and leave some more details of the plan. It involves ordering 15 more babies this evening. I'l likely have some questions od advice also. I've been reading alot here, some pretty awesome people who love their animals.

Till later, take care.
Trim

Not sure if you've come across the drake to lady ratio but 1 drake to 3 females is doable but 1 to 5 is best. Drakes are exceptionally needy, especially if there's more than one. It triggers chaos. May be best to stick with your one drake and get only additional ladies. Also, from experience I can tells you heavier set ducks can be exceptionally destructive to your plants. Most plant life around my house has ceased to exist.... A lighter weight breed like Runners would be best as they inflict less damage and are well known for being great garden pest control

 

[Luv Ducks]

Not sure if you've come across the drake to lady ratio but 1 drake to 3 females is doable but 1 to 5 is best. Drakes are exceptionally needy, especially if there's more than one. It triggers chaos. May be best to stick with your one drake and get only additional ladies. Also, from experience I can tells you heavier set ducks can be exceptionally destructive to your plants. Most plant life around my house has ceased to exist.... A lighter weight breed like Runners would be best as they inflict less damage and are well known for being great garden pest control

Trim, welcome to BYC. I have several types of Ducks and my best and biggest eggs that I get are from my Muscovy. They have actually been my first to start laying this year. Their shells are very hard but the eggs are delicious. My drakes are all very small, I have 22 ducks right now and 3 are little Call Drakes, the rest are all Hens. I will be getting a Drake and Hen Wood Duck just because I love the way that they sound and look next week. They are coming from Tennessee. I order usually from Metzer Farms and have had very good luck with them. I don't know where you are located, I am in Ohio. My Muscovy have those red carnucles on their faces that some people do not like but they are a quiet bird and I have close neighbors that tolerate all of the loud quacks that my other Hens make so I am fortunate. Some people think the red makes them ugly but they are sweet and none of mine like to be held but eat out of my hand and will come as close as my feet to me while I am giving them their treats. I am glad that your health is better and that you can find a good selection of ducks to purchase. Drakes can be brutal on the hens so that is why I rehomed all of my big ones and only have small ones. My Mallards were good layers when they were younger but now being 5 years old they have slowed down to almost none. Also some can fly and will leave you if allowed to free range. Mine are kept in wire top pens for safety and to keep from flying off. I have also had some pinioned to keep from leaving and have clipped one wing so stop the flying. Good luck with your decision on which ones to purchase.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Oh yes, I'm so looking forward to starting new veggies. Some new-to-me tomato varieties I'm eager to try -- Polaris and Mat-Su Express, as I understand it they were created in Alaska so it's allowed to talk about them here while discussing the freezing weather

You can talk Peppers and Tomatoes any time!
And cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, melons, kale, and everyVeggieElse that ducks love to eat…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

"For the first time in recorded history, the GULF COAST is under a blizzard warning."

What are you guys doing ??

Global warming...?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

We won't reach that temperature here until Saturday. I didn't have to work today or tomorrow because of the cold. No complaints here on that one. I am fortunate too because my outside spigot has stayed unfrozen so I have been able to give the ducks water without carrying buckets to them. What a blessing that is. I did manage to take a tumble putting more wood shavings into the pet gazebo for the ducks a little while ago. What are the chances of a person falling on their knees and landing in the middle of the bag of wood shavings. Talk about God watching over me. Sometimes I am a full time job for him. I have figured out to always take my cell phone out with me just in case something does go crazy that I can at least call for help. My coworker did not one time and had to climb all the way back to his house on his knees. I told him to always have it with him so he could call when things go wrong.

Since i broke my ankle in December 2018 when i had to crawl back up the hill and use a rock to knock against the wall to alert my wife, the cell phone is always with me when i am outside. So i can always call in the cavalry.

 

[Jenbirdee]

My ducks have been inside their garage /hospital room the past few days so I don’t have to walk up an icy slope with heavy water buckets and boiling water kettles. I think tomorrow I let them back outside.
In the meantime, my oldest duck teeny a khaki Campbell 10 years old, has a pretty bad limp from the slide down the icy hill on the way to the hospital room. I have her in a crate so the other Ducks don’t trample her and she lays still to rest her leg, and I don’t think she’s ready to go back outside with the others, and she is not eating much. But I do see what I think is a little improvement from the rest so I will continue the rest. My concern is not eating enough and I might have to tube feed her. I’m trying to hold off on that. Because she will hate it and the struggling and stress of it might make her leg worse . So I’m giving her peas which she does eat at least some of them.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Since i broke my ankle in December 2018 when i had to crawl back up the hill and use a rock to knock against the wall to alert my wife, the cell phone is always with me when i am outside. So i can always call in the cavalry.

Wise decision, we never know when we might take a tumble.

 

[Luv Ducks]

My ducks have been inside their garage /hospital room the past few days so I don’t have to walk up an icy slope with heavy water buckets and boiling water kettles. I think tomorrow I let them back outside.
In the meantime, my oldest duck teeny a khaki Campbell 10 years old, has a pretty bad limp from the slide down the icy hill on the way to the hospital room. I have her in a crate so the other Ducks don’t trample her and she lays still to rest her leg, and I don’t think she’s ready to go back outside with the others, and she is not eating much. But I do see what I think is a little improvement from the rest so I will continue the rest. My concern is not eating enough and I might have to tube feed her. I’m trying to hold off on that. Because she will hate it and the struggling and stress of it might make her leg worse . So I’m giving her peas which she does eat at least some of them.

I pray that she gets better soon.