What in Ducky Heck is this!?

[DuckyDoodles]

That’s a bit more reassuring about the Teflon thing. I’ll keep an eye on it (and the Googles) and see if anything comes up. It is just for the top of the run.

As for them at night, they do come into the porch. And I know the porch isn’t technically predator proof (screening and plastic aren’t much) but the doors are locked and with our human presence/night owl selves, it’s worked so far. Once the coop is built, they’ll be in coop at sundown and let out in to the run in AM and then (eventually) they’ll have daily free range/pond play from 10-11a til evening night time.

At least that’s what I have envisioned. That way they get free range and I’m not having to egg hunt.

Once the babies arrive; they’ll be indoor brooder with us and I won’t begin the introductory parts until they’re about 6-8 weeks. I’m hoping that by that time the weather in Indiana will cooperate that their introductions can include longer term outdoor integration.

 

[BantyChooks]

I know that one is true. . wouldn't think the netting stuff could ever get hot enough to put off fumes. . but being as a cover for a run. . summer heat idk.
Being outside though. . that would probably be just fine.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/polytetrafluoroethylene-toxicity-in-chickens.73482/
Don't worry, it has to get very hot (at least over 446*F) before it's a danger.

 

[CayugaJana]

I was trying to picture where you were putting the Teflon. But couldn’t quite see it in my mind so I just thought I would mention a caution.

The only things I could think about would be hot summers or if a brooder heat lamp was shining on it. But you would probably be able to look at your set up and decide if you need to make adjustments.

 

[DuckyDoodles]

Thanks @BantyChooks , that’s a relief!

@CayugaJana , yeah it’s only going on the top of their outdoor run so no heat lamps or anything. But! You can never be too cautious, I never even thought of/heard of that and it’s not like you can read minds. So zero worries; I appreciate the heads up!

As-is, once the coop gets built, my daily plan for the doodles will be that they’re in coop until 7am, then in run until about 10-11am and then (once they’ve been better trained) free range around the ponds until 5-6 and then back into run for one last feeding and then into the coop at sunset.

At least that’s the goal. Learning all of this with two ducks who will be starting the routine with me and then 4-6 juvenile doodles... it’ll be chaos LOL.

Part of me feels like it was too soon to go buying the babies since I’m still getting the hang of the two I have but I really do worry about losing another one and then the survivor would be all alone.

 

[DuckyDoodles]

WOOHOO! So I’m sitting here in the waiting room for OG’s follow up appointment (obviously, updates will follow) and I went to just go ahead and order my Cayugas knowing that last time I checked they weren’t going to be available until May 21.

They had some openings apparently and so now they’re going to arrive 4/10-4/11... only one week after my first 4.

So A) I’m excited that hubs’ duckies are going to be same stage as the others and B) I’m absolutely ridiculous about posting “I’m scared about the babies” and then to LITERALLY close BYC and go to Metzer and order more duckies.

I am ~officially~ done buying ducks now... unless I happen upon some silver Welsh Harlequin LoL

But I promise this is it.

 

[BantyChooks]

I am ~officially~ done buying ducks now... unless I happen upon some silver Welsh Harlequin LoL

But I promise this is it.

Yeah right.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Duck math at it's best.

 

[CayugaJana]

Ducks really aren’t that hard to raise! But you have all these wonderful BYCers that have lots of experience. So don’t hesitate just because of experience. You have the desire to give them a wonderful home! That’s all you need. The rest can be learned over time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yeppers!

 

[DuckyDoodles]

Definitely needed these words of encouragement. Just leaving her follow up appointment and while she’s not in any bad shape, she hasn’t made as much progress as was hoped for.

Apparently my switching to sand added with the initial use of veterycin spray caused some gnarly scabbing. I had only used the spray prior to setting up my hillbilly quarantine (rinsing off the poop that had gotten on the wound while she was in the dog cage) but I guess the moisture plus some sand granules has caused hiccups. Doc said it doesn’t help that it’s an intensive muscle wound and her ducky needs of those muscles but I still feel bad: like *maybe* she’d be better healed if I hadn’t done all that.

So, unfortunately, she’s still on segregation status but doc has given me the okay to expand her space to give her more room. Just can’t let her be free yet as we need to keep her still a little rested.

Gotta figure out a new set up for her (my hillbilly quarantine was because I couldn’t find a topless cage to save my life). So now I’m gonna see if I can find one on Amazon and maybe overnight it or something.

Also gotta go through and get rid of sand and put shavings back down.

But! I also got a thumbs up to spritz her with water (from above, still no wetness below on the wound) so she can Ben a cleaner duckie.

Oi vey.