My eco solution to rat problems

[umbrella thursday]

Hi there

We have five calls hatched at the beginning of June. Recently I have been finding the biggest drake on his back. He can't right himself and has to be flipped over. Today my eldest daughter found him in their pool on his back again he was really bedraggled and cold but we dried him off and he was running around happily with the others. Does anybody have any idea why this keeps happening. I am worried it will happen when we are out and he will die. It is always this one particular drake. He is pretty big for a call and much heavier than the others.

 

Thanks

[Chortle Chook]

I don't have an expert view but suspect it is something to do with his size. I had a male call duck who was always first at the mealy worms and any bits of pasta treats and he used to get over onto his back and then could not right himself, like a rather large beetle. I put him on a diet.

[umbrella thursday]

Thank you chortle chook. I did wonder if it was because he is so big. He seems fine today. I don't feed them lots of treats really as they have free range of the garden. Lovely big slugs for them there. We are still new to ducks - have had hens for a long time, so I worry. The girls make a real racket too and I worry about the neighbours although they say they don't mind it. I will keep an eye on what the big drake (Justin!!!) eats.

[Chortle Chook]

My girly call started off making a real racket too, but did calm down once they were used to things (about 6 months on if that). Now, about 18 months on, they hardly make any more noise than the boys.

[umbrella thursday]

Thank you chortle chook that is good to hear. They are very noisy whenever we go outside at present. Hopefully it will calm down. They are lovely creatures.