The Quack Shack

[DiYMama540]

I can honestly say, even though it wasn't a fancy vacation or something like that...I think he will remember this for a long time. He was so interested in the whole process and we both really learned a lot along the way

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’m sure he will! And you too!

 

[duluthralphie]

Leap day baby pics!! 5 out of 6 hatched no problems....#6 was a bit slow, had pipped on the wrong end and now is still pretty uncoordinated and lethargic so that's why it's separate for now. The rest are happy and healthy! Eating, drinking, pooping, and all the rest fuzzy fun!! I didn't realize they shed so much after hatch!! There are tiny little hairs everywhere!

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Your chicks are deformed!!

The beaks are all wrong.. throw them out and start over..

 

[WVduckchick]

Leap day baby pics!! 5 out of 6 hatched no problems....#6 was a bit slow, had pipped on the wrong end and now is still pretty uncoordinated and lethargic so that's why it's separate for now. The rest are happy and healthy! Eating, drinking, pooping, and all the rest fuzzy fun!! I didn't realize they shed so much after hatch!! There are tiny little hairs everywhere!

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Be still my heart!

 

[WVduckchick]

@Miss Lydia I’m keeping the 2 d’Uccle, but I’ll send you the cochins.
One had happy feet all day yesterday and couldn’t get her fat butt on top of her legs, but she figured it out overnight.

And I guess my ducklings will be March 1st babies. One is very close, but has a little left to absorb, so she is staying in a bowl for a bit longer.

 

[Grendal1963]

Good morning folks of BYC! My name is Trimurtisan, but to keep it easy, just call me Trim.

I did an introduction, but here's some more general information about myself and what's got me going quackers. I am a 36 year old father of eight, although only two of those happen to be human. We also have two cats, two dogs, and as of recently two ducks. I've always loved nature and gardening, but about six years ago I had a string of surgeries that left me with a much different disposition on life. During that time I would go multiple weeks without being able to consume food, had multiple adverse reactions leading to flatlining twice, and essentially being institutionalized from being in the hospital for extended periods of time. If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask, but long story short my physical and mental health today or the best it's been in my entire life. Also, due to my medical past, I no longer work a 9-5. I'm a very happy-to-be, stay home dad

So back to nature and gardening... A few years ago we bought our own house, and I was finally able to have my own garden. I started off with about 50 gallons of soil in 1 raised bed, last year it went to about 200 gallons worth of soil, this year I'm doing about 1/8 of an acre with ~400sqft of trellises. My oldest son (5yrs) also has his own garden and loves to help tend the plants.

For about 6 months I've been researching quail for egg production. I was 100% sure quail was what I wanted to do. It brought back memories of calling or to my neighbors bobwhites I was a kid. Yup, quail is going to change my life. Then I met a sweet old man who hand raised 2 Pekin ducks that he could no longer care for. I went to meet the ducks, and that's all it took. I love about any animal, but starting a homestead is my goal, so we now have ducks.

In all honesty, in a very short period of time in love with them. We have one Drake and one female, they are extremely bonded and will not leave each other site. I'm not 100% sure if they like me but they will eat out of my hand and get within 4-5 feet of me without freaking out. They also seem to prefer to forage near me vs farther away.

This had lead to a massive amount of research while sitting in the garden just watching them play/eat/swim/sleep. It's also led to a decision change of how we are going for our egg production. I can't kill an animal I love, and it's inevitable that I would fall in love with any ducks that I have so meat is out of the question. Integrated Pest Management, eggs, another source of compost, and just the general entertainment though, really make this seem like the correct route for our family to go.

It's time to take my son to school. It's his last day and he's excited to go. I'll stop in and leave some more details of the plan. It involves ordering 15 more babies this evening. I'l likely have some questions od advice also. I've been reading alot here, some pretty awesome people who love their animals.

Till later, take care.
Trim

I’ve been thinking of getting some ducks do you know if they react well with hens or if the two can be housed together

 

[duluthralphie]

@Miss Lydia I’m keeping the 2 d’Uccle, but I’ll send you the cochins.
One had happy feet all day yesterday and couldn’t get her fat butt on top of her legs, but she figured it out overnight.
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And I guess my ducklings will be March 1st babies. One is very close, but has a little left to absorb, so she is staying in a bowl for a bit longer.
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Those last two pictures are like watching a bacteria or virus growing in a Petri dish..

 

[jaykayhuff]

Heading to TSC to get duck supplies. Everyone please pray that there aren’t ducklings just begging to be taken home by me there....

 

[Miss Lydia]

We can’t promise anything

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Good morning Everyone!
MW your up awfully early!

@WVduckchick just box them littles up and send them on down!

Was about 9:30pm here. Looking at the heat we have coming this week for first week of Autumn made me think of you guys probably about to get one last cold snap. @rjohns39 was the most productive weekend I've had in awhile.