Just as addictive as chickens

Ex-duck person here ... (sorry)

I could not keep them out of the other critters water. (what a mess. )

dont they fly away ?

Had ducks and just did not like the mess. Probably the filthiest critters ever.. but entertaining

ComputerGuy said:

Had ducks and just did not like the mess. Probably the filthiest critters ever.. but entertaining

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They are entertaining ...

My hubby had one that he just hated to see go, that duck hated my mother and would not let her out of the car and he (the duck ) knew her car and would leave the pond to greet her. (never went after no one else.)

Just got 5 Muscovys a few weeks ago. I guess I don't have an opinion either way yet.

I love my muscovies. I have been raising them for around 10 years now. But the last couple of days have been the busiest for me. 2 days ago one hen hatched 13. And today another one has hatched somewhere around 17 just can't get a good count on that batch yet. I have 2 in the house in the incubator that were left in the nest only partly hatched. I have 2 more setting..........and only one drake guesse he was very busy this spring.

rob said:

dont they fly away ?

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Yes they might fly away but if they have food, water, and somewhere to smin, and content with their flock they will stick around. My mallards fly from one part of my yard to another but they dont fly very high or very far. I dont know if thats because their slightly larger than wild mallards or that they are happy here.

Apyl said:

Yes they might fly away but if they have food, water, and somewhere to smin, and content with their flock they will stick around. My mallards fly from one part of my yard to another but they dont fly very high or very far. I dont know if thats because their slightly larger than wild mallards or that they are happy here.

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cool i wonder if the wife would let me have some hmmmm

I am looking into Pinioning (sp?) mine. I want them to be able to free range but if they fly over the fence on either side of the yard the neighbors dogs will kill them. Anyone ever done this before? It is cutting off about half of the outermost feather on one side so they can't fly.

jjwilson72000 said:

I am looking into Pinioning (sp?) mine. I want them to be able to free range but if they fly over the fence on either side of the yard the neighbors dogs will kill them. Anyone ever done this before? It is cutting off about half of the outermost feather on one side so they can't fly.

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Personally I would never pinion a duck, IF you need them to stay put just clip their wings. Pinioning should only be done by a vet or trained breeder since it is considered surgery. Clipping the wings is very simple and takes minutes. Sure you'll have to re-do it each year after their molt but it so much safer than pinioning.

Here is a link that shows how to chip the wings.
http://www.cornerstonefarm.net/wingdemo.html

That is actually what I meant, thank you very much for the article!

We have 5 Muscovey and love them! They are really fun and from what I have read they will stay home and not fly away. Of course, mine are spoiled! LOL

Just got 2 runner ducklings this morning. I'm keeping them in a really big tote that I bought to keep 10 chicks in. These duckling cuties have dirtied up the entire tote in 1 day what them 10 chicks would've taken 2 day to do....yikes \

VirginiaSue said:

Just got 2 runner ducklings this morning. I'm keeping them in a really big tote that I bought to keep 10 chicks in. These duckling cuties have dirtied up the entire tote in 1 day what them 10 chicks would've taken 2 day to do....yikes \

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Thanks for the smile ! lol

Boy, do I remember that!

So.... I want ducks..... how do i start, what do i need to do to set up an area for them?, do they need to be kept contained or can they free range like the chickens? I live on 50 acres along the river.. where there are TONS of wild ducks and geese.. could they get the urge to fly away with them? or join them.. since most dont actually fly south in the winter.. they come to us.. weird i know.. but its not that cold in the winter here where im at..... HELP ME... dont make me google! lol

hollyosborn said:

So.... I want ducks..... how do i start, what do i need to do to set up an area for them?, do they need to be kept contained or can they free range like the chickens? I live on 50 acres along the river.. where there are TONS of wild ducks and geese.. could they get the urge to fly away with them? or join them.. since most dont actually fly south in the winter.. they come to us.. weird i know.. but its not that cold in the winter here where im at..... HELP ME... dont make me google! lol

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Being that you have wild ducks already yes yours ( If you get a breed that can fly) will fly away with the wild ducks unless you clip their winds. There is breeds however that dont fly, i.e Muscovies and Pekins. Yes ducks can free range, they will need a house/coop to keep them safe at night. They need access to water at all times and personally I feel they are easier to raise than chickens. My Pekin and mallards are excellent free rangers, they stick close to the house, and warn the others of hawks over head. Just so you know though, if you get babies and brood them in the house they are extremely messy and can stink very fast if their bedding is cleaned every day or two.

Sounds PERFECT... ok.. ill start getting the other side of the coop ready for them.. and work on getting ducks in our little family... THANK YOU!!!!

I have 4 adult muscovys the first hatch was from an older hen that hatched 4 the 2nd hatch was 23 and we are waiting on the third hens hatch she is sitting on 11 they are peeping. They are so much fun we have sold alot of the babies and know that some will need to go to freezer camp. sorry to those that are squemish.. Its just a part of life.. I will upload pics soon..

sondra67 said:

I have 4 adult muscovys the first hatch was from an older hen that hatched 4 the 2nd hatch was 23 and we are waiting on the third hens hatch she is sitting on 11 they are peeping. They are so much fun we have sold alot of the babies and know that some will need to go to freezer camp. sorry to those that are squemish.. Its just a part of life.. I will upload pics soon..

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Sounds great. I cant wait until next spring for my girls to start laying and hatching. I plan to sell any extra babies to help with feed costs and we butcher out specific ones as well.