Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[Chucky1]

Hi everyone. After nearly a year keeping chucks we were starting to feel - if not confident at least quite relaxed

 

That was until two days ago when two young ladies knocked on the door about 21:00 in the evening. I know I should complain Well they handed us a box containing 3 ducks , saying a friend had bought them for us at the local fair and we could return the box anytime.

 

We have spent the last two days searching tinternet, for what to feed, what about a pond and how to house them, quickly realising that neither of our two would be any help.

 

Well we have now reached a period of pause from the frenetic activity of the last two days.

 

Now we wonder what they are. Are they boys or gals? Are they layers or eaters? Any idea how old they are?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any help recieved with humility and gratitude.

[Guest]

Hi

 

Well your set up looks good for ducks! The only real difference for chickens are 1. Need for water 2. Sleep on floor(dont perch like chickens) 3. Dont go straight in at dusk(unless you are lucky) 4. At risk of fox attack so will need protection

 

Will happily live on layers pellets so exactly what you feed your chickens. They wont scratch the grass but dab at it with their bills. I never found ducks liked hard corn love snails and frogs etc

 

Not sure what breeds the first one looks a bit mallard/campbell but could be anything and looks like moult and a male

 

No idea what the other two are espcecially the grey one? The other looks a bit call duck too(call ducks)???

 

Hope someone else will come along to let you know breeds.

 

Ps if you are going to keep them there is a lot on ponds here recently but cleaning ponds is necessary with ducks so tip out containers may be the way??

 

Wonder why they bought them for you, perhaps they thought they were for the chop??

What are you going to do keep them?

Good luck indie

[Lesley]

- I think I wouldn't have opened the door!!! - some friend

 

Boys will have curly tail feather, girls don't. Generally, girls quack and boys make a much quieter squeaky noise. I've no idea what breed they are!

 

As Indie says, their needs are only slightly different to those of hens and you've already sorted out their water, good luck in your new enterprise

[Chucky1]

Thank you both for coming back so quickly.

 

Leslie shall we just say that the friend is a trifle excentric - hope they don't read these boards

 

Indie - yes we'll keep them whatever they turn out to be. Hopefully they're not all boys so we end up with WW3.

 

Thanks again

[Guest]

I acqired some ducks this summer & they were so spoilt it has taken a few weeks attempt to get them to revert to as wild as can be(they have lost weight and are starting to blend in with the real wild ones). They were huge mallards, I have never seen such big mallards and now they are out and about (& can fly too which they couldnt when I got them) I am hoping they will go off with the others.....but I have feeling I may end up housing them over winter if they dont!

 

Ducks are really good looking birds and very sweet natured too,comical

 

good luck indie

[Lesley]

If they're all boys you will have lovely duck dinners

[Chucky1]

If they're all boys you will have lovely duck dinners

 

Thanks Leslie I'm not sure my quest for self sufficiency actually runs to killing anything larger than a potatoe.

 

Just re-reading Indie's point about Fox attacks earlier. Are Ducks more at risk than chucks to Foxes?

[Guest]

Hi

 

All at risk same to fox...just to remember Fox isnt fussy will eat them all

 

Mind you so would my spaniel if he was allowed!

 

indie

[beckyfitz]

Ahh, just wanted to say how gorgeous they are - very good -looking duckies

Becky x

[Chucky1]

Thanks Becky, we think so too.

 

The chucks are most intrigued at the moment as the ducks are being kept in. The antics of the ducks and chucks together amuse us no end.

 

ps. I was sorry to read about your troubles and I hope everyone putting it behind them now.