[jameslindsay]

Sandy and Kerstin

I have now let the ducklings roam freely with the adult ducks and they are loving the experience. I decided yesterday they were big enough but didn't let them sleep in the same hut. They are in and out of the pond and just having fun pretending they are grown ups. I am praying that the fox family doesn't get in their run, don't see how they could.

[sandy]

They SHOULD  be safe here as the garden is enclosed by a 7ft high stone wall, although cat's often watch and I know fox's are agile but fingers crossed I think we are OK....Really looking forward to the new arrivals and also the Ex Bat's that I am collecting soon!!!! Thanks foster mummy!!!

[jameslindsay]

Sandy you should see the size of them now - they are getting big. They all come running when I go in with lettuce for all of them and they even enjoy a wee bit of bread now. I would imagine perhaps another 2 or 3 weeks and we should perhaps know what sex they are - if you saw them you would fall in love with them regardless of their sex ha ha. They are so enjoying being "free" at last and not in their small pen.

[sandy]

I'm sure if I had some land I would have loads of stuff, I actualy love pigs, my middle daughter had pigs and also loved them and gained in three ways, the pet value, the food value and now the manure value , her veg are comming up big and quick!!!!I also used to ride but far too fat now and horses are too time consuming, so birds it is and I am counting the days and hope, fingers crossed, that I can collect them in my VW, after all I am quackers

[gillandtom]

Sandy, Kerstin - you are lucky I don't have a pond.  I saw your ducks on Friday and they are sooo cute I just wanted to pop one under my jacket and take it home. 
I wish you all the best once they arrive at their new homes.

 

[doganjo]

You too can have ducks, Gill!  I don't have a pond - but I have a teency weency stream running through the garden - I just had to wade along it to retrieve two wayward and adventurous Brittanys!  My son's makeshift fence has not worked!  Ducks love getting into it when I take the dogs inside.

[jameslindsay]

Every time my ducks see me they think I am going to let them out on the river and once they realise that I am not letting them out they look at me very unhappily. Until such times as it it safe to let them out again I can't take the risk.

[gillandtom]

You too can have ducks, Gill!  I don't have a pond - but I have a teency weency stream running through the garden - I just had to wade along it to retrieve two wayward and adventurous Brittanys!  My son's makeshift fence has not worked!  Ducks love getting into it when I take the dogs inside.

Oh I wish I could Annie.  You should see the state of my back garden already, everything is squished in - just ask Rosemary!  I think however there might just be about enough space for some quail?  Anyone tried it?

[doganjo]

I have always wanted to have quail. but I am told they are a nightmare to keep - very susceptible to drafts, infighting, bugs; need to have indoor accommodation and can't be allowed to get free as they are not indigenous.  A friend of mine in England has just bought 120 fertile eggs to hatch with a view to using them for training our dogs (caged quail are used for Natural Aptitude Tests in all HPR breeds) I JUST might ask him for a few.

[gillandtom]

I have always wanted to have quail. but I am told they are a nightmare to keep - very susceptible to drafts, infighting, bugs; need to have indoor accommodation and can't be allowed to get free as they are not indigenous.  A friend of mine in England has just bought 120 fertile eggs to hatch with a view to using them for training our dogs (caged quail are used for Natural Aptitude Tests in all HPR breeds) I JUST might ask him for a few.

Thats a shame.  I just bought a book on quail from amazon to read up on them but I haven't read anything so far about them being hard to keep.  Oh well you can let me know if you go for it and get some from your friend.  I would love to hear how you get on.

[jameslindsay]

I am sure that one of the breeders I got some Pygmy Goats off had Quail and they were very free range!

[ballingall]

Yes- I think Hamish had quail at one point. All I remember hearing is that the eggshell is supremely hard.

Beth

[doganjo]

They are not indigenous to the UK and it is illegal to allow them off your land.

[northfifeduckling]

Just spoke to a friend about quails today. She had tried to incubate without success, but the seller couldn't guarantee that they were fertile ("maybe, maybe not").

[jameslindsay]

Sandy I think I have 1 boy and 1 girl for you, or 2 boys if you are still interested? They are looking fantastic now and really do look so grown up.