kerrifarmer
Hatching
First of all forgive me. I am new to all this. It has been our plan for quite some time now to start raising chickens here at home. I've been doing a lot of reading. Backyardchickens.com has been most informative! Ducks were to come shortly thereafter provided we had our chickens under control.
Then last Sunday we get a call. A duck needed a home right away. Hubby didnt hesitate he said we would take the duck. I came along for the ride.
Sweet older folks had gotten a fuzzy duckling and it grew... fast. Needed to rehome it.
I am not overly familiar with ducks but when I saw this one I almost fainted. I dont think I've ever seen a duck that big. Turns out he is male, Muscovy and only 3 months old.
We brought him home and put him in a lovely temporary enclosure.
The following day we bought him a pool. I started doing more online research to insure we were doing right by our newly acquired duck. I also started looking into breeders so we could purchase him a few friends.
On Tuesday we went to a lovely duck farm. Hundreds of young muscovy ducks. Again I was quite overwhelmed. We chose 2 pretty females. Also 3 months of age.
Upon meeting the new girls our boy quickly mounted one then the other, back to the first and then on to the second again. After that he has left them alone. Very little interest. And yes my understanding is that they are all a little to young for mating.
Well although I am still very intimidated, our boy has really grown on me. And its obvious to everyone who meets him that he really likes me. He always walks around the enclosure to follow me as best he can. And he reserves his happiest noises for when I come to see him.
It doesnt appear that he has ever eaten actual duck food. He is very fond of the salads I make him every day but since the arrival of the girls he has been eating the duck pellets too
On Thursday we let everyone out of the enclosure. Hubby cleaned the pen. Male Duck followed me everywhere. Again it was quite comical. Didnt crowd me but also remained within 2 feet of me at all times. Female ducks lol flew away. We were able to find them and coax them home.
So yesterday I decided it was best to leave the new girls in the pen. Rather than risk them flying away I figured it was better to make sure they were familiar with home and continue getting them used to us before letting them out again. I was home alone. I thought I would let the male out and he could hang around while I did some chores. I opened the pen door and.... I'm really not sure what happened. Initially I thought he was attacking me. I backed out of the pen in case his 'attack" was due to the females. This male refused to back off. I dont think I've ever been so frightened. Wings flapping, head wrapped around my leg. Those big claws were scratching at me. I had no where to go. I couldnt even run as he was firmly latched on. I shook him loose a few times but he came right back. Finally I made my way back into the pen and again shook him loose a few times. Finally I managed to get out, leaving a shoe behind, which btw he wouldnt release.
My new pants are ripped up. My left leg (the only one he kept on at) is scratched and bruised. I am still flabbergasted. I think I figured shortly into the attack that he wasnt actually attacking me. Even though it was quite rough I am almost positive it was something else. I am almost convinced it was supposed to be affectionate.
After I went into the house I did notice that in spite of having ignored the girls after the first few minutes of their arrival that he did get one off her perch and went through the motions of mating.
I love this guy. I really hope it wasnt an act of aggression. I'd really like things to work out. But I'm looking for some advice on what actually happened and what I should be doing about it that hopefully doesnt involve the freezer.
Then last Sunday we get a call. A duck needed a home right away. Hubby didnt hesitate he said we would take the duck. I came along for the ride.
Sweet older folks had gotten a fuzzy duckling and it grew... fast. Needed to rehome it.
I am not overly familiar with ducks but when I saw this one I almost fainted. I dont think I've ever seen a duck that big. Turns out he is male, Muscovy and only 3 months old.
We brought him home and put him in a lovely temporary enclosure.
The following day we bought him a pool. I started doing more online research to insure we were doing right by our newly acquired duck. I also started looking into breeders so we could purchase him a few friends.
On Tuesday we went to a lovely duck farm. Hundreds of young muscovy ducks. Again I was quite overwhelmed. We chose 2 pretty females. Also 3 months of age.
Upon meeting the new girls our boy quickly mounted one then the other, back to the first and then on to the second again. After that he has left them alone. Very little interest. And yes my understanding is that they are all a little to young for mating.
Well although I am still very intimidated, our boy has really grown on me. And its obvious to everyone who meets him that he really likes me. He always walks around the enclosure to follow me as best he can. And he reserves his happiest noises for when I come to see him.
It doesnt appear that he has ever eaten actual duck food. He is very fond of the salads I make him every day but since the arrival of the girls he has been eating the duck pellets too
On Thursday we let everyone out of the enclosure. Hubby cleaned the pen. Male Duck followed me everywhere. Again it was quite comical. Didnt crowd me but also remained within 2 feet of me at all times. Female ducks lol flew away. We were able to find them and coax them home.
So yesterday I decided it was best to leave the new girls in the pen. Rather than risk them flying away I figured it was better to make sure they were familiar with home and continue getting them used to us before letting them out again. I was home alone. I thought I would let the male out and he could hang around while I did some chores. I opened the pen door and.... I'm really not sure what happened. Initially I thought he was attacking me. I backed out of the pen in case his 'attack" was due to the females. This male refused to back off. I dont think I've ever been so frightened. Wings flapping, head wrapped around my leg. Those big claws were scratching at me. I had no where to go. I couldnt even run as he was firmly latched on. I shook him loose a few times but he came right back. Finally I made my way back into the pen and again shook him loose a few times. Finally I managed to get out, leaving a shoe behind, which btw he wouldnt release.
My new pants are ripped up. My left leg (the only one he kept on at) is scratched and bruised. I am still flabbergasted. I think I figured shortly into the attack that he wasnt actually attacking me. Even though it was quite rough I am almost positive it was something else. I am almost convinced it was supposed to be affectionate.
After I went into the house I did notice that in spite of having ignored the girls after the first few minutes of their arrival that he did get one off her perch and went through the motions of mating.
I love this guy. I really hope it wasnt an act of aggression. I'd really like things to work out. But I'm looking for some advice on what actually happened and what I should be doing about it that hopefully doesnt involve the freezer.
