Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Raiquee]

Ok guys...

I'm a bad duck owner!!!

3 of my ducks are missing!!!!!

So, I filled up the pool for them in the backyard today, as they haven't been in one while were on vacation at all. So, as I was looking at it I thought "Man, they got so much bigger and maybe I should just put them in the tub..." but no, I thought they would be fine. Well, I put two ducks in the pool and watched them for a second. They peeked over the side, but started dipping themselves and I thought they were just gonna swim. So I go to grab the third, and plop him in the water. Then run to grab a fourth Well, the third is the one who has the brilliant idea to hop the side of the pool and the others followed suit! So, I freaked and ran back in the house, holding the 4th duck and put him back in the tub and then ran into the garage and grabbed our net. In this time, 3 little duckies BOOKED it from the backyard to the front, over the street and into the neighbors fenced in wooded 20 acres with two large ponds, and ploped their fuzzy butts right into one of his ponds!

So, all in all, after hours of circling the pond on canoe, on land, on both with nets, and using a "decoy" duck (aka brother in a box) the ducklings have eluded us. They are on that pond somewhere, but it's so overgrown that they can have so many nooks and crannies to hide in.

We returned home splattered in mud, saying sorry to the neighbor, and defeated. We are going to try later this evening, as they got so scared of us they stopped making noises for us to track them. They also got split up, so we are hoping they find each other, and start making noises again.

Not to mention when we got back from vacation and I finally got ahold of my ducks, one of them isn't growing. She/he has a crooked neck and is slightly bigger but about half the size of the other ducks. First thing hubby said to me was "You couldn't lose the retard duck, could you!"

Poor duckies. I feel so incredibly bad.

At least I know where they are. but i'm still sad. I feel TERRIBLE. They seem to be having a jolly old time though, at least they are safe.

 

[Sweetfolly]

Oh, Raiquee!

You're a great duck owner, I'm sure. You wouldn't feel so terrible otherwise! I have birds get loose on me all the time. Mine have always come back (except for that goose I had to chase down a few weeks ago

). Don't be so hard on yourself.

Well, friskebluegills came over to pick up those 6 ducklings on Sunday, so the brooder is empty and I thought the crazy broody ducks hatch was all over, because one of the eggs in the incubator quit, and the the other two didn't look too good after the power outage. Woke up this morning to the sound of peeping from the incubator - there's a brand new fuzzy little duckling in there, all by its lonesome! Luckily, I just got an e-mail from AlpineRanch about 4 days ago letting me know that she has some more Call ducklings (different colors this time too!), so I quickly e-mailed her back this afternoon - I hope she still has some, so the poor little duckling in the incubator can have a buddy! Otherwise, if any of you have young ducklings right now and could take one in....

 

[Raiquee]

Thanks Annarie, I needed the support. I just moped around today and kept telling hubby I'm a bad duck owner. All he kept saying was "They are okay, but did you learn your lesson?" Hes building a pen for the remaining two this weekend, hoping them being outside may lure the others back. If we don't catch them before. I just hope they don't get picked off tonight

They only got fluff, and what happens if it gets too cold? I could just kick myself just thinking about it!!

We are going to a local fair who also has bird vendors there. I was planning on looking for my cayugas there (although I doubt they will be there...) and maybe more scovies

Who knows, whatever strikes my fancy. I just feel so guilty replacing them. Although, we will make sure there will be plenty of room should they waddle back.

I start classes tomorrow, so I may be on less and less. I tend to go to the wayside when school is in session, but who knows. Also, (in other good news) me and hubby may be starting to try for our next baby! That is, if I get the ok from my instructors on being in labs while pregnant.

Helped hubby bottle his beer tonight. A pale ale with corriander and honey. I'm not a beer drinker but i'm excitied to hear the verdict on this one. I want him to make mead, as I like sweet drinks. Right now we'll do some more beer though. I think this is his....10th batch? Who knows. He had a rotation going for awhile of three at a time. One for drinking, one for sitting (carbonation) and one for fermentating! Good system I thought.

 

[AccioSarah]

I am just SO excited for the coop tour on Saturday, I've been working on poster boards for the last three hours and am still not done! It was an exciting day for the girls though- I let them free range around the backyard, it's been quite a while since they've been out, and they were causing trouble all over the place. Now I remember why I use the chicken tractor so often instead of just letting them run amuck.
They are all nearly 19 weeks old now... two with bright red gorgeous combs... it's only a matter of time before I see that egg...

Tomorrow the whole coop gets a scrub down so it looks nice and presentable for the tour... until they manage to poop all over it again... it's a never ending cycle vs. cleanliness and the way of the flock.

 

[Dr HaHa]

Another start to a beautiful day! 45* here I love it! Raiquee I wouldn't kick yourself too hard we all have and will continue to make mistakes.

Would really like to go that coop tour sounds like fun! TO looked up the cellar spiders yup thems the ones! Thanks for the lead. I moved the slw's roost into the big girl area had to coax a couple in the coop last night. Everything was different and that's just wrong! Boy they sure get set in there ways. One of the big girls was in a nest box after putting straw back in them was glad to see it my hope is to get them all to start using them again but doubt it. Caught an slw twice yesterday trying to make a nest maybe they will be laying soon.

Pea and Btwo are eating like little pigs and should start growng pretty fast now. I had offered the lady at the bait shop some cuc's over a week ago and called and left a message for her to call me because they were ready but I didn't want to make the trip if she didn't want them. A week after I left the message she called saying she wanted them and was looking for dill too. I told her that I had just picked yesterday so it would be 3-4 days and that I had dil in the freezer. She asked what I wanted for them I told her nothng just glad someone could use them. She said well in that case when I come in for bait she'd make sure I was well compensated.

Another big list day. Can't wait to see where the kids spent the night. They'll adjust!

 

[babylady4]

Raiquee, what classes are you taking? Odds are there is nothing you will be exposed to that can harm the baby; unless you are taking Nuclear Chemistry of course! You do not need to discuss anything with your profs. they will make accomidations for you if they are needed. Just make sure you wear your gloves, glasses and use a fume hood.

I weeded so much yesterday I developed tennis elbow and my fingers cramped up into a fist! DH went to the truck and tractor pull at the fair last night and had a good time, they were pulling the stock and modifieds in the same classes so the stock tractors did not have a chance..... While he was off at the fair, I went fishing.

Another big day, off to work at the University, then home to take the family to the fair.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

[Amyable]

Becky, there was a story on the news last night that a 4-yr old girl got killed by a boxer in Iron Ridge

Was that anywhere near you? Very very sad

 

[WIChookchick]

Hey All,
I am outside of Madison in Oregon WI. I keep my chickens on a farm where we board our horses. the land owner has one chicken in with ours and two geese who free range during the day when its warm, a chinese crested and a white probably embden very old female.
I am trying to create an elusive new type of chicken, a frizzle-polish-cochin bantam. We may have one, but its probably a fizzle-brahma bantam...
Carol

 

[beckyschicks]

Yeah it was about two miles down the road. It is so sad! I can't imagine how that family feels. Didn't know them personally but drive past their house on a regular basis.

 

[babylady4]

I hate hearing about these things..... there are so many unanswered questions and usually no matter what to dog pays for it. In this case however the dog should be put down.

for the poor baby girl and

for the dog......


Off to the fair tonight (if the kids get their rooms clean that is.....).