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Ducklings - Water Station Tips?
I'm partial to the cut milk jug, just need to make sure they can't squeeze inside. When they're itty bitty I use a tupperware with holes cut out of the lid, up till a few days old -
Ducklings unfortunately seem to have imprinted on humans
I see. That is reassuring, thank you. I did give the babies a lot of attention before and after hatching (hard hatch) so I was worried I overdid it. And I'm glad your ducks have you! -
Ducklings unfortunately seem to have imprinted on humans
Unfortunately I think these ducklings may have imprinted on people a little too much, would appreciate any advice. My first batch of brooder ducklings wasn't like this. Six days ago, three Muscovy ducklings hatched in the incubator. They have lived with each other from day 1. Two days after... -
Question about egg position during incubation
Update as promised: out of four eggs that made it past three weeks, three peepers successfully hatched!! The fourth egg was horribly malpositioned. I tried to help but I think I fumbled it. Couldn't find his beak to make a safety hole, no bruise on the shell to give me any hints, decided to put... -
Question about egg position during incubation
Gotcha. Thank you! Day 31 on these eggs, I'm excited. -
Question about egg position during incubation
Hi all, I have a question regarding incubation which I can't seem to find a solid answer on. These are Muscovy eggs if it matters. When lockdown begins and autoturner is turned off, do I need to ensure the air cells are facing up, like so: Or does it not matter? Follow-on question: Do it... -
My first ducklings
I swear my ducks grew perceptibly overnight when they were ducklings, those first few days. -
Do ducks need fresh water if they live near a pond?
I have a backyard pond and am still able to get ducks to their secure duck house every night. My trick? A cheap remote-control motorboat. I rarely need to use it nowadays but when they don't feel like leaving the pond to go to bed, pop that sucker out and chase ducks. (To be clear I haven't... -
Advice needed please--egg in the process of hatching outside, but getting down to the teens tonight
Question: Should I leave the nearly-hatched egg with momma duck in this cold snap, or put it in a yogurt incubator inside? Details: I have a muscovy hen sitting in the duck house with one egg in the process of hatching. It externally pipped almost 48 hours ago and peeping inside. The thing is... -
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Muscovy wet feather
Thank you for your response. If this is truly mild then I don't want to see a serious case. I've watched him try to swim several times (e.g. to go mate one of the girls) and he becomes waterlogged and starts sinking. He panic-swims back to shore before he can fully sink. Whenever he gets wet... -
Muscovy wet feather
Hello all, My male muscovy has a bad case of wet feather and I can't figure out why. He's otherwise perfectly healthy. His preen gland looks normal and secretes oil which I can feel on my fingers. All my ducks are 8 months old. His feathers were fine for his first few months of life, and he... -
Why does my silver appleyard duckling have a brown stripe instead of black?
Definitely a hen. This whole thread prompted me to look again at the Metzer page for appleyards, which is where I got them from. "We do not recommend our Silver Appleyard for show purposes as we are starting to get females developing dark bills. We are selecting for breed standard and aim to... -
Why does my silver appleyard duckling have a brown stripe instead of black?
I didn't realize the standard was yellow bill, or that a black bill was unusual. My only Appleyard here has a black bill. I think it's beautiful! -
Question about ratios with muscovies/non-muscovies
I love him, he's a sweetie. He's started to try to mate with/exert dominance over me, as in run at my leg and bite the crap out of it; when that happens I pick him up and carry him around for a bit to remind him who is boss bird. I read about that trick somewhere on here and it seems to work... -
Question about ratios with muscovies/non-muscovies
Update for anyone who has the same question--the sole remaining drake, Mr. T, has become a raging ball of feathers and hormones and is equally interested in mating with all the girls, muscovy and non-muscovy included. Which is good news for me and my flock. -
Ducks Out of Water…
I bet it would help! It's what i would do personally, depends on your home and situation as always. Make sure it can easily be drained for cleaning. Look into doing it right as a long term solution if you're going that way. I'd look up duck swimming pool ideas, I won't be much help, I never had... -
Ducks Out of Water…
I'd bet the ramp is problem for them, mine never would mess with the kiddie pool with its ramp. I even put astroturf on it. But they looove the pond--my muscovies just as much as the rest, probably because they grew up with mallards + water. -
Sexing almost-five-week-old muscovies
I kept this sweet handsome boy, named Mr. T. The other five went to be their own bachelor flock with a friendly fellow I met at a flea market. Probably the best I could do for them. I hope they live long happy lives. -
Sexing almost-five-week-old muscovies
Yes indeed, six boys and two girls. #2 and #4 from the video are the girls. It was true in this case at least, the "trick" about girls getting feathers faster on their wingtips! That is only evident for a few days. But also evident were their sizes. And their face shapes, especially in...