Trying to get my ducks in a row- My ducklings are shipping MONDAY! :)

[JessiLynn]

Do keep in close touch with the Post Office.

We used towels - worked very well for us. I even got enthusiastic about not wasting the manure after a few weeks, and had a big - like 30 gallon - bucket outside once it was warm enough, and rinsed the towels in that before hanging them outside to drip a bit before going into the washer (wanted to have full loads). My plants love duck poop soup!

Amiga- you have been so helpful in past topics I've come across! I've really been reading up on composting and what not, because I also have a pretty large garden and I also don't want that precious liquid gold to go to waste!! Is there certain vegetable/fruit plants that are safe to apply it to? Is it safe putting it on plants that maybe don't have edible their edible parts on the ground? I still need to read up on all that, but the advice you've given in regards to composting has been helpful!

So, update guys! I was able to find some flock raiser at the feed store. It is the Purina brand, and in crumble form. I hope that is okay!? I've heard pellets usually end up being less wasteful? I bought a really big bag of this flock raiser, because it was much cheaper. I also have a peckomatic feeder coming in the mail, because I heard that really helps minimize waste too?

I found a suuper cute play house with cedar shake roof on craigslist that I wanted to buy. But, my husband finally got the itch to build something, and he drew out plans Saturday and we priced materials when we were in town. He is going to call another lumber yard to price comparison the materials... but I think we finally have the house and run planned! Super excited. The front half of the house is going to be for feed storage, and I am hoping to hang a light or two so that I can grow lettuce, kale and maybe spinach year round. I really miss having home grown lettuce in the winter, and because we stock up on groceries a month at at time- lettuce never lasts long enough! Anyhow, It is going to be pretty good sized. In the beginning I told him ducks were easier to get started with as opposed to chickens, because they didn't need as intensive of a coop/house. He was all over that. But, now he is of the "go big or go home mind." I'm not going to complain I suppose.. because, I already feel like I am getting the itch to expand my flock, that hasnt even arrived yet. lol I'll post pictures of the plans, and progress pictures, because this is exciting!!

 

[Amiga]

If you're adding their poo to the compost, the composting process breaks it down nicely, if all goes well.

The cautions about using manure can be summed up as - don't put manure directly on the part of the plant that you eat.

So, if you want to enrich the lettuce bed, the best thing to do would be to just put on properly finished compost. You could also place the manure on the garden bed well before planting and let it break down over time.

Poop soup is nice for very carefully watering the soil around the base of plants, not splashing the plants. There are guidelines posted on the 'net for that. I generally add the manure to the compost and let it break down over time.

 

[Kaessa]

Thank you! I'm going to talk to the lady who works at the post office. This morning when I went by there at 6:30 the mail truck was there making his delivery, but the mail lady wasn't there. I'm not sure if the mail delivery guy would call me or not, but I'm definitely going to have to ask about it! Maybe they could just let him know ahead of time that I will be there to pick them up. I seen your topic on the babies, they are SOO cute. Makes me super anxious!!

I was nervous as heck getting them through the mail. They're all SUPER healthy, though, so I'm really happy. Yours should be fine!

 

[LadyIsadora]

I used towels in the brooder a month ago when I got my first two ducks. I also topped with paper towels. For me, this failed terribly. They are expert mess makers and kept flipping the towels into the water so it wicked out into the brooder. I removed all the paper towels & just went with fabric towels. I had the same problem. By then they were old enough not to eat their bedding so I went with chopped straw. It kept the brooder dryer. I used a set of salad tongs I bought from the dollar store to remove droppings as they occurred.

 

[LadyIsadora]

Two more sleeps! to peeps

for me too.
Did you get the gro-gel added?

 

[JessiLynn]

Two more sleeps! to peeps

for me too.
Did you get the gro-gel added?

Yes! One more sleep now. Woohoo! I have the brooder all ready for them, and my kiddos are super excited. Tomorrow is early release from school so they are doubly excited about tomorrow. I'm already planning out my photo shoot props. I hear 5 minute sessions are best, so I'll be needing to work fast! lol I e-mailed them early yesterday morning about trying to get it added and was told that they had been adding the gro-gel to all orders.

 

[JessiLynn]

If you're adding their poo to the compost, the composting process breaks it down nicely, if all goes well.

The cautions about using manure can be summed up as - don't put manure directly on the part of the plant that you eat.

So, if you want to enrich the lettuce bed, the best thing to do would be to just put on properly finished compost. You could also place the manure on the garden bed well before planting and let it break down over time.

Poop soup is nice for very carefully watering the soil around the base of plants, not splashing the plants. There are guidelines posted on the 'net for that. I generally add the manure to the compost and let it break down over time.

Thank you that was so very helpful!

 

[Kaessa]

I e-mailed them early yesterday morning about trying to get it added and was told that they had been adding the gro-gel to all orders.

Well THAT is definitely good to hear. With all the weird weather and delays we've been having this year, it just makes sense. I'm really glad mine had it.

 

[JessiLynn]

Gosh you guys! I just got back from the post office, and unfortunately I won't be able to pick them up until 12:30 when she gets there to open. Our postal worker is super nice, and offered to meet me there at 7:20 on her way to work the morning shift at another post office, until she remembered she was working at the post office the other direction. So, I'm kind of stuck. Will they be okay you think?

@Kaessa didn't you get yours on a Thursday?

 

[Kaessa]

Gosh you guys! I just got back from the post office, and unfortunately I won't be able to pick them up until 12:30 when she gets there to open. Our postal worker is super nice, and offered to meet me there at 7:20 on her way to work the morning shift at another post office, until she remembered she was working at the post office the other direction. So, I'm kind of stuck. Will they be okay you think?

@Kaessa didn't you get yours on a Thursday?

Yes. Mine came in on Thursday morning. They were all just fine. Hungry and thirsty, but healthy as heck.