The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bionic on September 01, 2013, 10:42:01 am
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I bought 5 silver apple yard ducklings yesterday. They were in 2 lots of 2 and 3. I don't know how old any of them are but the 2 can't be far from full grown whilst the others are 2 a bit smaller and 1 quite a bit smaller.
I put them in a hutch initially and they all had a good drink and some food. I then decided to let them out for a bit while I kept an eye on my 2 geese in case they didn't like them.
Well, despite not being able to see the pond they must have smelt it because they headed straight to it. It has steep sides and they all threw themselves off the top like lemmings. The geese didn't like it but after shooing them round the pond a bit seem to have left them alone.
Problem is the ducks either can't get out out of the pond (or don't want to) so we had to leave them there last night. They all seem fine this morning but I would like them to get out so that they can have some food.
Any suggestions or will they be fine as they are.
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I would try and get them out and get them trained to going in at nights. If they don't get into the habit it will only be a matter of time until the fox finds them.
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Time to get your swim suit on? :innocent:
If they were mine I'd also try to get them out, and used to a routine. I've been swimming in my pond 3 times this week, the water temperature is ok, only bracing at first (also got an amazing watch of a kingfisher for ten minutes!)
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Mine isn't deep enough for swimming in. Think it will probably be the mud pack look :roflanim: but it will be OH not me who has to go in :roflanim: :roflanim:
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Landing ramp? OH might see the benefit in finding/constructing something suitable over wading in every night til they get the idea.. ;)
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We have now installed a half pallet as a ramp but they don't understand what it's for. I can see OH crawling up and down it to give them the idea :roflanim:
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if thats the case the least you can do is take photos and post them on here :excited: :excited: :excited:
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if thats the case the least you can do is take photos and post them on here :excited: :excited: :excited:
And some piccies of your new ducks ;D :roflanim:
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So you were in llandeilo Saturday too then Sally .............. I resisted buying this time!! ... well almost.... my grandson spotted some toy cars at a distance and sped off chanting car car car ...... so I spent 50p and we all came home happy!!!
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So you were in llandeilo Saturday too then Sally .............. I resisted buying this time!! ... well almost.... my grandson spotted some toy cars at a distance and sped off chanting car car car ...... so I spent 50p and we all came home happy!!!
Yes, obviously I never saw you but if you only spent 50p you did much better than I did.
Ducks are still on the pond but have now learnt they can eat bread, so who knows, we may be able to tempt them out of the pond.
Failing that we will need to build them a floating house. Don't parliamentarians get expense money for that? ;D
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yup
for the discerning buyer i believe a custom floating duck house runs about 2k!!!
i believe i could do a better deal for members inc delivery :-)