Cheeky Chooky Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 We are now very proud owners of 3 gorgeous little Miniature Appleyard Ducks Dilys Daphne Daisy It was only a matter of time before we got ducks and they are such wonderful little beings aren't they My Nan and Gramps had a Muscovy when I was a child and I've been spending the last few months deliberating over whether to get one but after lots of research, the decision was made to go for Mini Apps...and it was definitely the right choice They're so cute and comical...but I still think the chooks are funnier You can't see me right?! I'm just re-arranging the pebbles for you and no, I'm not eating compost at the same time! Duck water tastes so much better though Ahhh, there's nothing like a good scratch Happy duck days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Congratulations, they are just gorgeous . Fantastic photos, too . They really are happy looking little ducks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppers Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 They are gorgeous. I had two appleyards, Merlin and Maisie, when YD was a toddler. She adored ducks so we got some. They hatched 11 ducklings one year which was lovely . (That was about 20 years ago I have just realised. YD is now 21!) Lovely set up for them too. They are very lucky ducks indeed. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 They are so cute, lovely pictures too, you are right they are such lovely little characters, my Daisy is a right bossy boots, she stomps around the garden in a I am very important way when I let them out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 OOOOOOOOOOOerrrrrrr, they are so lovely. A mega thick question here,do ducks not need a pond? Or is a tub of water ok? I love those ducks so much, just forward planning if they don't need a pond!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Not a thick question at all. I don't know about the larger breeds but certainly appleyards and call ducks are quite happy with a paddling pool or similiar. Such time wasters watching them splash and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 Thank you for the lovely comments and stories clucker1 the girls seem happy with their little yellow trug but we're already making plans to give them a small pond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Wow, aren't they gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 Awww thank you We think they are too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 They are so lovely, now in the longer term plan of life ie when my kids have left home and we find another home with extra land for chickens and now ducks too. Quack quack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 They are lovely and with such a pretty home, the makes it look so bight and cheery I too am tempted by ducks in the future, someone said they poo a lot and become smelly, is this true? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Well done, Cheeky Chooky - somehow I just knew you would fill this gap in your gang They are very beautiful and it looks like their housing arrangements have been done with your usual high standards and artistic flair . . . Still think you need a call duck or two though On the subject of ponds and duck poo . . . these small ducks don't poo much at all. In fact they are the neatest little beings - cleaner than chickens. What they do however, is to fill their water with mud. Also the little poo that they do seems to end up in the bath tub For this reason, unless you are going to have a very big pond, it is advisable to have something that can be emptied daily. Normal small garden fish type ponds are not usually big enough even for 3 wee duckies and get unsanitary very quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Awww thank you Chrissie and Catherine We've had to make a slight adjustment...to the inhabitants rather than the set up Dear little Daphne was not very happy and spent most of her time pacing up and down and quacking...very loudly Dilys and Daisy are quiet little things and Daphne just seemed to put them on edge. I got in touch with the Breeder and we returned Daphne to him and brought home another one of their nest mates...this handsome chap The girls took to him straight away...in fact Daisy was an absolute hussy but has calmed down They're getting on like a house on fire probably because they hadn't been apart for that long and they're still young...so peace reigns again Apart from the chooks of course! They put themselves to bed last night as well! so he's obviously a very good influence We haven't named him yet but we're working on it I thought I'd post these pics too as they made me A very sleepy Dilys And Daisy just looking as cute as a button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Oh my goodness me, they are so beautiful. Do you have your chickens and ducks in together? Also,your enclosure is so lovely, if you have any pics of your chickens and their enclosure, please do post them. I could do with some ideas and inspiration to pretty my wir up. Thank you. Very Jealous Clucker1 X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Ah - lovely pictures! Come Spring will there be the sound of little webbed feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Do you have your chickens and ducks in together? Also,your enclosure is so lovely, if you have any pics of your chickens and their enclosure, please do post them. I could do with some ideas and inspiration to pretty my wir up. Thank you. Very Jealous Clucker1 X Thank you No, they're separate. It wouldn't work keeping them together as the girls like to be dry and the ducks like it wet Here are a couple of shots of my chook's WIR (had to make them smaller to get it all in) And Catherine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Fab and thank you Cheeky Chook. Think I will have a look into cabbages on chains especially for the winter. Is it metal or plastic chain from a DIY store? How do you secure the cabbages on? Do you have any plants in there? I have put a budlia in ours with the old cube plastic steps leading up to a perch,which so far only one chicken has mastered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 clucker1 have to say I just love your signature and the way you have characterised your chickens . . . but poor little Dimrose, I'm sure she must have hidden talents and perhaps she will be the next to master the steps (P.S. I think chickens are rather brighter than duckies - or at least than my duckies and male duckies seem particulary challenged in the brain department but perhaps those lovely green heads don't need anything in them ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 The chain is metal and is from B&Q...I hang the cabbages up with metal hooks that my OH made (I keep asking him to manufacture a few to earn some pennies but he still hasn't got around to it, bless him) and no, I haven't got any plants in the WIR 'cos the girls would decimate them in no time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 (P.S. I think chickens are rather brighter than duckies - or at least than my duckies and male duckies seem particulary challenged in the brain department but perhaps those lovely green heads don't need anything in them ) I must say I have to disagree with that! My little duckies are miles smarter than my chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Perhaps they are just nicer beings than chickens. It is true that my Jemmima and even my Puddle do have their beedy eyes all about them. However my Walter - well, he just hasn't got it and even after quite a few months has not really got the hang of the ramp up into the water but tries to launch himself into the paddling pool from the ground, despite frequent instructions to the contrary from his dear wife. Perhpas it is just boy call ducks. I'd be interested to hear what you think once you have had your beautiful boy for a few days, especially as he does have the most magnificent green head. I can hardly believe he would have brains too - that would be too much from nature, surely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Well the OH and I were just putting a larger tarpaulin on their WIR and 'he who is yet to be named' quickly ushered Dilys and Daisy into the and then sat in the doorway, watching our every move As soon as we'd finished, he gave them the and they all toddled out He's a clever boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Oh that is so sweet and clever I can't see my drake Walter doing anything like that, though my little Silkie cockerel would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Thank you Chubby Chook. Cheeky Chook, Dimrose is DIM and very annoying. All she does all day is use her non existant authority to chase lovely Matilda. Meanwhile, Cluck who is Matron of the lot of them, watched carefully by Chief in Charge, Darthveda will peck Dimrose when she is having yet another go at poor Matilda. And, Dimrose oftenmakes a BIG racket squawking very loudly at nothing. If it wasn't that she laid an egg most days, she would be chicken pie!! By the way Chubby and Cheeky Chook, are you related? Or is it just by name?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
