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I have no idea about this concept, just that Holderread's book recommends it. If this is an offensive topic, I apologize. I just want to make sure my ducks are treated right, and they are about 15 months old now, and I get 2-3 eggs a day from my three. So, what's best for them? Force molt...

I tried the cheapo way - 4 mil. plastic - and it worked about as expected: for about 8 hours. Then, the ferocious claws of my monster Welsh Harlequins (the name strikes fear into the hearts of worms everywhere) tore it to ribbons. Or, they at least popped a couple of holes in, and my pond...

I know this is a gross question, but, is it edible? It wasn't in the pool five minutes, so can I still bake with it? Be honest, I get a lot of eggs, so I'm not fiending for this one in particular, I'm just curious.

I've got a real fly problem. Here in California, we had a few days of 90-105 degree weather. Now, the temperature is back down, but the flies are just, simply, awful! I know it's from the ducks, as we've never had anything like this before. It is really bad... Please! Send suggestions for...

I know we get West Nile here, as I've been worried about our corvids, especially our yellow-billed magpies. What I'm wondering is, are my birds in danger? Are there any precautions I can take to keep them healthy?

Here it is. It's not complete, because I'm still trying to figure out how to make it both accessible and safe for the ducks. Let me know what you think!

Well, I now know that taking like a duck to water means that there may be five minutes or so of stark terror and flailing to get out... but, once you realize what it is and who you are, well, you are happy as a clam!

Really, how? I'm okay with the changing out the hay every day, and I'm okay with all the water, but seriously ducks, you waste so much food! I'm using a small mason jar feeder that is a pain in the behind to clean out. Their mouths-full-of-water routine just turns it into a cake, which I'm...

The breeder says they are Welsh Harlequins, and I'm inclined to believe him... but the bills haven't really changed. Whatever they are, they look to be growing well... This is them at 18 days:

I just noticed a red line on one of my duckling's bills. It runs more or less perpendicular to its mouth, on top, about 1/2 inch long. Any ideas what it is?

The venerable Holderread book says to give 2-12 weeks an 18% protein. Well, I read the bags, and one had 16% and one 20%, so I mixed them together. Is there anything wrong with that?

I keep rethinking the idea of my duck tractor. Right now, I've got an A-frame design in my head with a 6 foot by 4 foot enclosed run and a 4 foot by 4 foot house. However, I'm worried about that not being enough room for my three welsh harlequins. The whole unit will be designed to be moved...

My three sisters here are two weeks old today, and yesterday afternoon (and this morning) it sounded a couple of times like one of 'em quack-liked. It wasn't a flat-out quack, but a far different noise than I've heard from any of them. I just want to be sure it isn't some form of ducky...

For slug and bug control?

A couple of my ducklings have taken to eating the cardboard edging their brooder. Should I be overly worried? How can I stop them? I can't tape it or cover it in plastic, as I have a sneaky suspicion that would be far, far worse.

My advice is, just how much room will I need in their run? My original design has a 6x4 ft. run area, and a 4x4 ft. house directly attached, the whole thing as an A-frame. Would this be enough room for three Welsh Harlequins? I plan to move the entire unit each day, except for days that we...

One of my little Welsh Harlequins (~ 1 week old) is different from the other two: She has a clear bill (with no spot at the front) and her tail is not so perked up as the other ones. She is also a tad more shy. When we got her, some of her head feathers were matted down, and she seemed slower...

I've been convinced to put in nest boxes for my ducks. Now, I want to see how others have incorporated them into their coops/tractors/other... I'll be building a duck tractor for my three Welsh Harlequins, if that helps with ideas or pics. Thanks in advance!

I've heard conflicting statements about this, so I wanted to hear it from y'all. If I build them, will they use them? Additional nest boxes complicates my duck ark design somewhat, but if they will use them, and it will be easier/happier for them, then I'll build them in. Suggestions?

It's a silly question, but I feel bad because my little girls' heads just keep falling forward all the time, so... when do they start tucking their heads over their backs, like I see adult ducks doing?