3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[HENthusiastic]

Hi Guys,

My OH has been desparate for ducks for ages! I'm thinking of suprise birthday ducks!!

 

I'd appreciate any help advice or warnings anybody can give me.

 

heres my plan of action. I currently have chickens who live within a large electric fenced area. They have in a big 12' x 10' shed which they come and go from whenever they like. (I dont have to shut them up because of the electric fencing).

 

I was just going to add a pond to the far end of the electric fenced area with a house next to the water for them to sleep in (if they want to!)

I had planned to feed them the same layers pellets as the chickens have and just let them all live together.

 

Does this sound okay? Will they get on okay with each other?

 

Should I do introductions in the same way I do with new chickens?

 

Thanks very much in advance for any help.

[Chucky1]

Hi again HENthusiastic

 

heres my plan of action. I currently have chickens who live within a large electric fenced area. They have in a big 12' x 10' shed which they come and go from whenever they like. (I dont have to shut them up because of the electric fencing).

 

I was just going to add a pond to the far end of the electric fenced area with a house next to the water for them to sleep in (if they want to!)

I had planned to feed them the same layers pellets as the chickens have and just let them all live together.

 

Does this sound okay?

 

Sounds OK so far. Layers for both is fine. There is a school of thought that says chucks and ducks should be kept seperate as ducks are a bit muckier and they are both susceptable to different things - Having said that ours FR together all the time with no apparent ill effects.

 

What are you planning for a pond? Like if its a surprise for OH won't they wonder what the JCB is doing digging a big hole in the garden? Seriously though there are a couple of threads about pond ideas on here.

 

Will they get on okay with each other?

 

Should I do introductions in the same way I do with new chickens?

 

Yes they should be but yes do intros in the same way and have a water pistol / hose handy on the day.

 

I had never seen our little darlings quite as vicious as the day we let the ducks out. Now there is still the odd pecking and squabbling but the ducks usually retire before it gets to that. The ducks are now well able to stand up for themselves "if they choose to" - yesterday Quacks got herself a beakful of chicken bottom feathers - I think she was having a moody sort of day.

 

I hope this is some use to you. I'm sure you won't regret getting ducks.

[HENthusiastic]

What are you planning for a pond? Like if its a surprise for OH won't they wonder what the JCB is doing digging a big hole in the garden? Seriously though there are a couple of threads about pond ideas on here.

Thankds chucky1. I went and had a look at the pond thread. the black plaster mixing tub thing for £29 looks like the kind of thing I was thinking of, but cheaper than I've found. So thats good news. I will put some 'steps' inside and outside, so the paddlers can get in and out easily.

 

I'm a bit worried from what I've read on here that they ducks will eventually just put themselves in the big shed with the chickens. Its a BIG shed, so hopefully 3 pairs of wet soggy webbed feet and 3 wet bums won't make TOO much of a mess in the shed . My reservation about getting ducks has always been the mess, but OH just keeps going on about wanting ducks and I guess with such a big area, we can handle the mess from just 3 ducks. (Remind me of this somebody when we are hatching ducklings and have extended to a 5 meter dug out pond and have 16 different breeds of ducks NO that won't happen ) Both me and OH are now working 4 days a week instead of 5 so I guess we have the extra time to tidy up after them

[Lewis]

She'll love them! Mine were surprise birthday ducks too, from my friends

 

My pair of ducks live with the chickens in the WIR and they get on ok now - intros took quite a long time but yep, the same as intro'ing chickens.

They eat the same layers pellets as the chickens so that'll be fine.

 

We bought a Go (without a run) for the ducks + its ideal for them with the roosting bars removed - can just pull the whole base tray out and hose it down. They do tend to sleep in the run at night though

If they do choose to move in with the chickens it wouldn't be a problem.

 

I've got 2 big tub trugs as a pond and they're great, just tip them out, wipe down and refill

Might want to watch that the hens can get out though - someone on her had a plank across the top of their pond so if the hens did get in, they could get out.

[Guest]

Hi

 

It seems hit and miss with them all getting on, I acquired three mallard ducks that bullied all the chickens and cockerel so much that they were given to me to rehabilitate to the wild again.

 

However my neighbour keeps geese/chickens and ducks all in one big shed, the chickens up on a shelf in wooden fruit boxes for nesting and perching and the ducks and geese just reside on the floor(she has quite a lot of them). I only ever hear a commotion when they are all queing up in the evening to be let back in as they free range all day.

Layers pellets are fine for all types

Good luck indie

[HENthusiastic]

Hee hee.

Ive just ordered a 'starter pond' for OH's suprise birthday ducks!

I've also got a hose, to make it easier to fill up the pond.

I'm going to wrap up the hose and let her open that first, then give her other hint type pressies to open one by one until she guesses! Sooo eggcited. I've also got her a book on starting with ducks (which Ive read from cover to cover to make sure I'm getting the right stuff for them).

then the day after her birthday I thought I'd take her to Storrs Poultry to pick up some little quackers.

How eggciting eh?

 

http://www.transtools.co.uk/store/prod_8480/plastering-tools/plastering-baths/shieldtone-deep-plastering-and-mortar-mixing-bath-130-litres.html

[Chucky1]

Hee hee.

Ive just ordered a 'starter pond' for OH's suprise birthday ducks!

I've also got a hose, to make it easier to fill up the pond.

I'm going to wrap up the hose and let her open that first, then give her other hint type pressies to open one by one until she guesses! Sooo eggcited. I've also got her a book on starting with ducks (which Ive read from cover to cover to make sure I'm getting the right stuff for them).

then the day after her birthday I thought I'd take her to Storrs Poultry to pick up some little quackers.

How eggciting eh?

 

http://www.transtools.co.uk/store/prod_8480/plastering-tools/plastering-baths/shieldtone-deep-plastering-and-mortar-mixing-bath-130-litres.html

 

Best of Luck I'm sure she'll love it.

 

We use a similar bath for our quacks. We have "sunk" it in an old pallet and then infilled the cracks with ply. It just gives them a bit of "beach" to get in and out.

 

Good Luck

[laurmurf]

well done you HEN for your lovely present for your very VERY lucky OH!

[HENthusiastic]

Thanks both for your comments. I love the idea of a pallet beach. it must keep the area a little less mucky I have access to pallets so I might do that. Thanks.

Hi Laurmurf. Bowt time we met up dont you think? You need to come and meet my beasts.

 

I'm so eggcited about the ducks I am hardly managing to keep it to myself. So far, I dont think OH has a clue about it though ha ha.

[Lewis]

Do you know what breed you're getting or will she decide? I've fallen in love with apricot call ducks

 

Hope we get lots of photos

[HENthusiastic]

I'm going to let her decide. thats why I thought i'd get everything ready, but let her make the choice, so she really gets what she wants. I'm just she doesn't go for Indian runners, coz I think they are funny looking things . She's also mentioned liking the kharki cambells. Storrs sell some different breeds so she will be able to choose from them. I cant wait. (Its my birthday before hers, but I'm just wanting her birthday ) I'll make sure I get piccis. Its not till 11th July though.

[Redwing]

Brilliant Hen, I love the fact that you two always give wonderful and thoughtful presents to each other

 

You have such a big space for the hens and ducks I am sure they will be fine, the pallet idea is fab, you could butt the pond up against it

 

I'd avoid drakes though as they can really hassle both ducks and hens

[mostin]

Can't believe I've missed this thread .

 

How cool is K's Birthday going to be , can't wait to see her face with all her ducks in the field

[HENthusiastic]

My pond thingy has arrived. I got it delivered to a neighbours house and then snuck it home and hid it in the outside cupboard when she wasn't around. I locked the cupboard and hid the key (we never lock it). OH texted me this morning saying that the chickens were dining on a breakfast of corn and mealworm as some idiot (me!!) had locked the feed cupboard I had meant to move it to its 2nd hiding place yesterday, but was too busy!

 

She still has no idea.

Mostin: well done for keeping stum the other day

[Lewis]

Well done

[mostin]

I hope K just thinks you were having a doh! moment, and doesn't catch on

[chick wiggle]

Oh Hen, now im really really jealour!! what with all your chooks and alpacas and now ducks!

What a fantastic present Ive only just caught this as i was looking for info on ducks as a young female mallard has landed in our garden this morning and doesnt look like shes going anywhere soon

At the moment we have put a large washing up bowl of water down for her and some corn and pellets. The chickens are watching her looking rather bemused