4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[TheChookKeeper]

I thought I'd try it last weekend, seeing as the girls were having to be shut up for the weekend, I thought they could do with a treat.

 

Turns out they quite like it! When I came back a few hours later, the ducks had pulled a whole load through onto their side of the garden, and the chooks had finished off everything they could reach.

 

I turned it all over, and they polished off the rest over the next day or two!

 

 

 

 

Letting them out this weekend, as they had been shut up for so long, I thought it only fair - they spent 2 hours SOLID having a VERY thorough dust bath!

Believe it or not, there are 5 chooks in there somewhere!

 

 

 

 

A finally, my Gerald and Alice - I believe pretty much fully grown now. Gerald has just in the last 3-4 days grown his curly feathers on his tail!

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy!

[Mrs Frugal]

I love the synchronised dustbathing photo! That's smashing! Lovely pictures - thanks so much for posting them

[Joojoo]

What lovely photos . I adore your ducks - absolutely gorgeous.

 

Is it true that they are really messy? I'd love some. Not sure how the cats would take to them though . Do you clip their wings like you do the hens to stop them flying off?

[TheChookKeeper]

Thank you both!

 

The ducks are quite messy - the problem is they love things to be wet... so whereas with chickens, when an area gets a bit muddy, they tend to move on to greener pastures, the ducks continue to wallow until they are knee deep in it!

 

That said - they haven't caused too many problems in our small garden yet - there is the odd track in the grass where they go from water bowl to food to bath etc etc. The area around their house is now without grass, but the same is true with the chooks.

 

They themselves are very clean, I can't say I have noticed a great increase in poop in the garden (certainly less than with the chooks), and they keep themselves clean and tidy very well.

 

 

We have a cat, and the neighbourhood is absolutely teeming with them, many of whom are really nasty pieces of work - they used to frequently attack our cat. Note use of the past tense.

They were all wary of the chooks, but don't like the ducks AT ALL. They all keep their distance... a LONG way away! Never see other cats in the garden now. Our cat is wary of them - and I have never seen either show any real interest in eachother.

 

 

I don't clip their wings - I don't believe it is generally accepted practice with ducks. They are much like chickens, far too big to take off. With a run-up down the length of the garden, going down a steep hill - they can just about make it about 2-3 foot off the ground, before plumetting down in a less-than-graceful crash landing - which they always look MOST embarrassed about!

They have never shown any interest in leaving the garden. I once left the side gate open all day, having gone to work. Their bath is right next to it, and they were both still there when I got back!

 

 

The only real negaitve I have found with them is the noise Alice makes - she quacks about all day, which isn't too bad (a bit annoying when you are out there with her, but fine as soon as you are a short distance away), but every once in a while, or if she gets spooked, she quacks with sufficient gusto to wake the dead - it is scary!

 

But I don't think I'd give them up for anything! (although ask me that again when the REALLY wet weather comes along...!)

 

 

Sorry for rambling... it's what I do best!

[Plum]

You've made me all nostalgic for the ducks I had when young. They are funny and I love the sound of the quacking crescendo. Ours used to sleep in the old half timbered morris traveller. OH says definately no ducks. so it good to see yours.

[Egluntyne]

Lovely pictures.

[jgearing@ntlworld.com]

Please can you advise us what green stuff you have given your chickens, can you put any cut down plants in, yours looks like a pruned shrub? Maddie and Vinnie

[mostin]

Lovely photos,

 

thanks for posting them. My OH wanted me to get ducks instead of hens as he fell in love with some call ducks he saw but they were too noisey for where we live. I think the reason our Amber Link Dolly is his favourite is because she reminds him of a duck and she certainly sounds like one too. . she really seems to quack more than she clucks, a very strange hen.

[TheChookKeeper]

Please can you advise us what green stuff you have given your chickens, can you put any cut down plants in, yours looks like a pruned shrub? Maddie and Vinnie

 

That is the runner bean plants - whole lot - leaves, roots, flowers - everything!

 

I figure if they don't like it, they won't eat it!

 

I would put anything down - although probably worth doing a search on this forum first - there is a list of plants that aren't good for chooks around here somewhere...

[Christian]

As if my magic.......

 

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=22559

[Mutrix Farmers]

Oooohhhh!! Ducks!!!! They are wonderful!

 

I would love ducks but I fear my garden is too small and surrounded by people and dogs (and a few cats) so it wouldn't be fair. Would be interested in seeing your duck set up though.

[Gamebird]

Lovely pictures - particularly the communial bathing.