Hi Molly - Sorry I'm just now responding :)
I used to put my ducks in the "duck house" every night....that was last summer. During the fall something changed and my ducks would NOT come when called....even when I had food. I think they got confused between me and this other lady that comes every day to feed. (long story) Anyways - all winter long - they stayed outside and free ranging. I was shocked that none died from either the cold or predator. Now that summer's here - I'm curious how that's going to work out. They sleep right down by the pond's edge...so I think that may save them...or at least most. If they start getting picked off - I'll start putting them back in at night. Our biggest problem right now - is that across the busy busy street - is swamp area.....and my ducks are NOT afraid of cars! Thank goodness most stop for them...others fly right by the edge of their tails....so it's only a matter of time before some get hit by a car - and that I can't do a thing to stop.
Thinking of raising ducks
Jean I'm afraid you are right and sooner or later one of them will get hit. We did add 4 Cayuga ducks to our Ideal order. This morning Ideal verified they would be shipped on Monday along with 25 chicks and my pair of White Chinese geese. I wish my goat area were ready soon cause I'd love to have my flock up there with the goats. They could eat any flies that showed up ^_^ and as I understand it guardian dogs won't bother them and will protect them.
MollyD
Jean make a pen for them and clip their wings.
fitsy, teach then gently how to be herded into their pen...
i let mine sleep outside, its too warm in the henhouse with the chick brooder.
for anyone needing basic duckubfo, i stumbled on this, it's GREAT!
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingDucklings.html
tf
Thanks for that link, TamaraFaye.
A woman at church said, "Ducks love you!" I said, "Mine don't!"
She said to hold the duck to your chest, cover its eyes, cuddle and
talk to it, and breath into its nose. My ducks are a month old. I
hope it is not too late, but I have given them brief sessions of that
for three days now. They don't "love" me yet, but they are much
more relaxed around me.
Fitsy
I should add that I have hens, and they differ in their attitude
toward me. One is a cuddler, and another doesn't like to be
touched.
Fitsy
Ducks tend to be like cats and geese like dogs.
If you want something that is highly intelligent, inquisitive and friendly
hand raised geese can't be beat....at least with Sebastopols.
I have a couple ducks that are friendly when they see me coming with the food bucket but thats about it even though I've hand raised some from hatchlings.
This message was edited May 8, 2008 8:13 AM
