The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: MAK on September 27, 2012, 08:15:18 pm

Title: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: MAK on September 27, 2012, 08:15:18 pm

At dusk I pointed out the near full moon and expalined that I do not sleep at all well on such nights. We then noticed all the ducklings had taken themselves off to hutches and the single adult ( non mums) sat under the large bay tree. Odd as they usually sit outside.
5 mins ago - dark outside- I heard a barn owl the saw it fly over the ducks.

Do you think it possible that the ducks nocturanal behaviours change when ( at dusk) they see the full moon in the sky? Clever if so. 

Title: Re: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: goosepimple on September 27, 2012, 08:40:44 pm

Maybe they just wanted the big torch switched off and thought it was darker inside - ?

Title: Re: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: Brucklay on September 27, 2012, 09:21:13 pm

My ducks have a certain routine - come back by then pen (which is locked to stop any rats getting in), eat as much as possible, have a bath then wait for me to open pan and put to their boxes.


If I am late it's a nightmare, they don't want to come off the pond - which isn't bit enough to keep them all safe - then they make a mad dash of the pen and boxes and end it going to be with their sworn enemy!!


We have the whole area illuminated by outside christmas lights so if I spent too long with the goats I can still see the ducks - but if I leave them on once they are in I can hear them talking away together - so I think light = up and dark = sleep, as for the barn owl bit not so sure - we have a pet owl who'e avairy is 20m from the duck pen and will quite happily sleep in the grass surrounded by the ducks - no problems yet - poopee is a bit well fed though  :fc:

Title: Re: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: Eve on September 27, 2012, 10:30:28 pm

Your owl sleeps in the grass? I thought they only sleep somewhere up high?

Title: Re: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: benkt on September 27, 2012, 11:17:57 pm

Don't know if its the full moon, but  I had to spend ages chasing my khaki campbells in to their coop tonight. The aylesburys next door were utterly unaffected and went in meekly like  usual.

Title: Re: Ducks and the full moon.
Post by: Brucklay on September 28, 2012, 09:42:54 am

Hi Eve - PooPee is a Bengal eagle owl - they hunt (not that he hunts) at dawn and dusk so 'owl naps' through the day.


When we put him out on his bow perch he sleeps in the grass and is often surrounded by duck - funny to see.