New Ducklings-Coming April 24th

So, a little background,
I'm an avid poultry keeper and have owned ducks, quail, chickens, etc., in the past. A few months ago I decided to get myself a pair of ducks to help out with the snails in the garden. I ordered hatchery choice, which is an assorted mix of random ducklings, and ended up with two female runner ducks. Runners are funny looking to say the least, they walk upright and run unlike other ducks, who waddle. They also seem to stay away from water for the most part though mine did swim on occasion. So, my two ducklings arrived in the mail, cute and chirping, and I raised them indoors before moving them outside. They had a pen I built for them complete with a tub for swimming and a large yard to free range in. The two were doing great and just began to lay eggs when tragedy struck. A week ago I left for vacation and my ducks were put into a care of a close friend who came to lock them in their pen each night. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication with said friend, and the ducks ended up being outside, their pen was useless without the door closed, and alone for three days and nights. I'm not sure when, my friend found them when they came, but both of my pets were killed by a predator, most likely a raccoon or bobcat. I felt terrible and was close to tears since I'd raised these two from babies. They followed me around like I was their mother and ate from my hands. I was pretty torn up, but I'll also admit, with a lot of guilt, that my thoughts quickly turned to ducklings, some of the best possible things to comfort you. Before I knew it, I'd ordered another pair of ducks for the yard, a jumbo peking and a black swedish. I know it might be too soon, but the mistake definitely won't happen again and it was nothing I can fix now. Anyway, I'll post pictures when the little cuties get here, I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival! Their hatch date is April 24th-26th, so I should get them by the end of the month. I'm pretty excited and a little nervous to go through the stress of raising ducks again. They're messy and loud, but they are definitely worth it. :D

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad you're right back it, though. I can't wait to see pics!!!

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Sorry for your loss. I'm glad you're right back it, though. I can't wait to see pics!!!

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Thanks Craig, I'm excited too! Since pics are a long way off here's one of my runners:[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2F24vjiax.jpg[/IMG]

Ducks are fun.

I've raised Cayugas and Muscovies. In many ways, I prefer them over chickens (at least, the flighty flock I have now!) Will probably get some ducks later this summer (haven't decided on a breed), and the chickens can go into the stew pot.

Enjoy!

That's awesome, can't wait to see pics of the little baby duckies!

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Originally Posted by distaff

Ducks are fun.

I've raised Cayugas and Muscovies. In many ways, I prefer them over chickens (at least, the flighty flock I have now!) Will probably get some ducks later this summer (haven't decided on a breed), and the chickens can go into the stew pot.

Enjoy!

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I love cayugas! I'm not sure about Muscovies, I don't care much for their looks but I've never owned any. How's their temperament?

I miss having ducks, sadly here having free range ducks or chicken is just not working out, probably need geese instead. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I miss having ducks, sadly here having free range ducks or chicken is just not working out, probably need geese instead. :rolleyes:

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Aw, I know the feeling. We have so many predators here that we lock all the animals in mid afternoon. I thought about getting a flock of geese instead of ducks, but I don't have a large enough enclosure or a lawn I'm okay with them grazing in. Anyway, we've got enough canada geese around here to last a lifetime...:D

Don't forget to post pictures of your new babies! They should be coming next week, right? When I was in kindergarten, we hatched chicken eggs and mine grew into a handsome rooster. We had him for years. I've never been in a position to have more.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m%2Fmtm0kk.jpg[/IMG]Sorry, I've been very busy with the new ducks, but here are a couple pictures. Enjoy! (Black and yellow is a Black Swedish and the yellow is a Jumbo Peking)
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m%2Fa334wn.jpg[/IMG]

I will post more pics as they grow and I'll see if I can upload a video of them chasing a laser pointer. :P

Thanks for posting!! They are adorable! Please keep us updated :gj:

Too cute!

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Can I assume you live in the country? Most cities have ordinances against having outdoor foul.

We've had ducks briefly a few times. When I was a kid my father owned some lake property and we bought ducklings in order to raise them and then release them at the lake. On two other occasions we bought ducklings for my wife's mother, keeping them a short time until we could deliver them to her down in Florida.

They're pretty fun but man do they poop a lot.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

Can I assume you live in the country? Most cities have ordinances against having outdoor foul.

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Nope, I live in the suburbs, right next to a big lake, so ducks are everywhere anyway. On the other hand, chickens are banned so I'm guessing waterfowl are technically against the rules as well.

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Originally Posted by dboeren

We've had ducks briefly a few times. When I was a kid my father owned some lake property and we bought ducklings in order to raise them and then release them at the lake. On two other occasions we bought ducklings for my wife's mother, keeping them a short time until we could deliver them to her down in Florida.

They're pretty fun but man do they poop a lot.

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They are veryyyy messy. I keep my little ones in a big rubbermaid tub with a timothy hay floor and transition them outside at about a month old to reduce cleaning. Their pen has a concrete floor so I can spray it down with a hose, but they do their business all over the yard which is somewhat unavoidable. Good fertilizer though!

Thank you for the pictures. They are just too cute. :)

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m%2Ft6uvs7.jpg[/IMG]
They grow so fast...The ducks after a swim.

Too darn cute!!! Holy cow, they do grow quickly!! Please keep the progression pics coming! Thanks!

It's tough to tell in this pic, did the black one lose his/her white by the mouth and on the chest?