Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[debbie26pet]

my chickens are on a mash and pellets feed is this still ok for them?

 

also how often to do you change water? the tub i got will prob need a pump to help drain then can do once a week, would this be ok

would this pump be ok?

 

>>Pump<<

 

poos are sloopish at min is that ok? will they go more solid, wow they can poo

 

whats best to put on the ground floor at minute i have gravel is this ok?

 

 

this is the set up, im of to buy more gravel after but im not sure on the water, i like the idea and how they ducked about in it yesterday, but struggled getting out, and how to empty it? so need ideas please

[foreveryoung]

Id be warey on a pump as it will most likely get clogged up! I cant see aproblem with the feed as longs as it is not medicated.

[gooner.girl]

That pump looks great. Let me know how it goes if you buy one cos i want to get something similar!

 

We totally clean our pond at least once a week - should probably do it more often as it gets very dirty The ducks do need a pond though so its great you have one and ours LOVE splashing about when its just been refilled (i find it turns the boys randy too... ). Not sure about gravel for the floor of the run long term (tho i am hardly an expert on these things) but i would worry about their feet a bit. Maybe ask on the practical poultry forum about it - they will know more probably?

 

Lovely ducks btw! What breed?

[Lesley]

I would worry that the gravel could become very smelly. Would the area drain well if you hosed the gravel area regularly?

 

ducks are just so smelly - but they are very cute as well

[Duckmomma]

It's ok to give mash to chickens, but not waterfowl.

[debbie26pet]

so dont give them mash?

here mash and pellets are mixed, what other food you feed them?

[Lesley]

No, don't give mash to ducks, it can clog their nostrils. They feed differently to hens - the scoop with their beaks and hens peck their food up.

 

We give our ducks some mixed corn when the hens get theirs in the afternoon - just scattered on the ground. They also like a bit of torn up lettuce in their pond and the occasional small pieces of bread - also on their pond so that it is wet.

[debbie26pet]

great thanks, when i got them was told this was fine, but thinking what u say yeah i can see that. so ill give them some pellets, and the rest like u said.

bread i though only now and again, they said oh no they are ducks they love bread.

if i give them some pellets which ones layers or growers?

 

how often do they go in there bit of water? mine seem to be couple times a day,

there drinking water they keep getting mucky, im thinking they are washing there face in it, i change it reg, but they drink the water in the pond bit, do i keep putting this other water in, or just leave to the pond?

what age will they lay they are 16-18 weeks

[Duckmomma]

Hi debbie

Bread is fine but in moderation

As it contains yeast there is a danger of fungus forming which is bad for ducks

But they do seem to like it sooo much don't they (bit like me and crisps )

As with chickens always make sure they eat their pellets in the morning before giving them treats like bread or corn.

Ducks are wily little devils, they will stuff themselves with junk then not have room for the good stuff, just like kids will do with sweets if we let them

I think they are on chick crumb (must be unmedicated) till about three to four weeks, then you start adding growers pellets for about a week or two till they are on just growers pellets up to around sixteen weeks when they go onto layers pellets.

Don't forget they need grit, I have a deep container of water and put grit in the bottom.

This encourages them to completly submerse their heads and helps keep their eyes clean.

[Duckmomma]

Is the gravel floor working for you?