Waterfowl Pics

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I would love to have ruddy ducks. They couldn't be any cuter! They almost have a cartoon character expression.

 

[waterdog]

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Yes all the geese and swans raise there own, the ducks are all raised in brooders.

 

[swheat]

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Since I don't have a broody muscovie, like I had hoped for, I am going to let them incubate. I am thinking I will raise the cygnets since they are due around the first of Jan. Even here in AL it will be cold then. This will be the second time the pair has nested. The first time I think was just a good try(didn't get any babies). Hoping they will be successful this time around.

 

[destinduck]

Thats wild the swans just layed. Hope you get babies. Thanks Waterdog for that info. That was I was wondering if you kept the 2 prs together for breeding season as I have heard some do some dont,I also heard they get quite vocal too during breeding season, Do you have to do anything special before and during breeding season. Also do you feed your geese the same food as your ducks and what kind of bag food do use ? I used to have cacklers and barnacles and fed them the same as my ducks. Im hoping you tell me not much specialized care.

 

[waterdog]

We used to keep the Black swans as well they are from the otherside of planet Austrailia I believe so they lay in December and Janurary. We let ours hatch a couple of times in December and they actually did quite well even with temps below freezing and snow, the parents would seldom come out of the water and the babies when they did would climb on the parents backs staying there for up to an hour sleeping.
The Redbreasted are fed the same as all the waterfowl no special diet, although as with any geese they love to graze. We feed a 18% protein 3 % fat duck pellet we have made at a local mill. I am sure any available duck pellet would be fine as long as it is not for "finishing" or fattening domestic ducks for market. Our experience with the redbreasted is cold clean water is a key factor it doesn't have to be a pond, we use 3' x 3' x 6" deep pans for breeding season the water is changed daily and it works really well. They are wintered on a pond together but we have not had real good success breeding them on a pond in a group. Ours are tame enough that they hop right in the pan while you are filling it and begin the courtship displays before the pan is even full. I know alot of people breed them in "colonies with good succuss as well.

 

[destinduck]

Everything you told me was exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks once again for the details.

 

[Sumatra503]

Do the Black Swans tend to be as agressive as the Mute Swans during breeding season?

 

[waterdog]

The ones we had were just as aggressive, the pair of mutes we have now are probably the nicest we have had. We had a pair of Trumpenter swans that I got rid of because when I wasn't here no one could even get near the pen. The mutes we have now are not kept in a pen but have free range and don't bother anyone unless you get near there nest.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

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getting ready aint ya Shawn, I can see the drool from here on those red breasted.

Beautiful birds Waterdog!
I'm a diver guy, so really love those smew, merganser and ruddies....and as for a goose, just cant beat a red breats period, none even come close

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I'm sitting here drooling over those red breasts!! Those are absolutely gorgeous!! Now to do some research....