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True, they spend their nites on the island. They do visit their pen and prefer to lay eggs there. Easy to get 1 or 2 in, but not all 3 as they're hesitant to enter with me there around sunset (but all 3 will visit mid-day when I'm cleaning.) 1 at time will enter for a minute but then head...

There's 3 hen black Muscovy; maybe 7.5lb per bird. They're 10 mo. and likely siblings purchased from Metzer's farms. I had white duckling Muscovy before and they perched. Not these blk, only occasionally perch on large rocks at the ponds edge. They walk (all over really) up a slight slope...

Thanks Tookie. Glad you mentioned "it's the ammonia," not just the moisture accumulation. I've so many ways to go for this project. They rarely poop (ammonia) around their nests now that they're laying eggs. Since they sleep huddled together and only when the temps drop frigid, I'm leaning...

" I've almost given up on my 3 Muscovy hens going into their pen at nite several times. I search these threads regularly trying to understand what's happening. Not certain, but at this point my guess is they have a strong attraction to their natural pond, they've all been zapped by the...

Looks great with lots of room/pastures. Dogs would need contact with both the high wire and other fencing that's wired to a ground rod, for it to zap, since some dogs 'climb' rather than jump over.

I know, it's spring going on summer. But May/June is slated for the major build or rebuild duck pen/coop. Since my Muscovy hens insist on sleeping on the pond island, and will only take refuge in their coop when it's below 20f degrees; I'm torn between putting in ventilation and making their...

The article is lengthy so I pasted the main idea: https://learnpoultry.com/ducks-niacin-deficiency/ Allowing the ducks to free-range – Another excellent way to prevent niacin deficiencies in your duck flock is by allowing the birds to free-range. Free-range ducks feed on many niacin-rich foods...

Having 'coons in close proximity has got to be unnerving to both you and your ducks. Feed 'em only in your run?kennel where 'coons can't get. Corn/pellets dropped will pay them off. Coon proof nightly storage. Secure simple latches and knobs, 'coons have thumbs! Yes, electric fencing works...

Remove pool from run (if practical). lure 'em into run with treats. Reintroduce pool to run once they're comfortable. Make water entry and exit easy. Try putting in snacks and later treat 'em with live minnows. Start with shallow water they can stand in. Some have had to devise clever water...

3 today: my 3 Muscovy laid their 200th egg around May 1 I thought they were quitting a while back yet they took a 2 week sabbatical and took up laying again. Most days 3 eggs, once a week or so, just 2 eggs

Not necessarily. Are there eagles around? We don't know what kind of drakes, how big they are. If they are small breed, possibly a hawk attack. If you're still able to check the wound, look for any wee scratch near the puncture. A bird of prey could've missed their attack and only caught...

If the table from Metzer farms is indicative, your; Call, Muscovy, & Saxony duck breeds are calm enough to take an interest in people interaction. (and some individual personalities of other breeds) https://www.metzerfarms.com/compare-duck-breeds.html I spent enough time with my 3 Muscovy...

I too, would like to hear about your pond. Many prefer letting nature, though often cruel, take its course and then there's "God gave man(kind) dominion over the animals (all the earth) way of thinking." I fretted every time a hawk would fly over the pond until our muscovy ducklings weighed...

There are plastic wash detergent containers that hold about 30-33 oz and have straight walls so they'll remain standing, large enough for duck bills and shallow enough for snacks on the bottom to be taken, just wash 'em well. After they start eating Mazuri or whichever pellet food, think about...

If you're duck eggs are tan, paint the ceramics with a used tea bag.

Just as we wanted to retire in the country so our cats wouldn't need to spend their lives indoors, yours (and my) philosophy of pet lifestyles could be a part of the equation. Are you country minded and think in free ranging terms? There're some considerations for a larger natural pond. Many...

havenonhazen "What do you do about predators along a wild creek? They lost their ducks to raccoons" And so it can/does happen. We watched a home near us with a 1/2ac pond along a 2 lane hi-way with 11 Pekin ducks. Though it was cleared and mowed around their pond, they lost a duck at least...

Great thread! I thought domestic ducks would wash away during floods on a creek. Makes sense that most could avoid that, mine seem to love their pond and stay in close to it even though there's a creek 75 yds below with loads of predators. Trap 1 Trap 2 As a kid, dad & I would make and trap...

3 today, 3 yesterday, (148/3 this '24)

My 1-2 week old ducklings would climb into their water/snack bowl. I heard 1 ask his/self, "why am I doing this?" See profile picture on the left. Waterer with hole on top is a good idea, keep heat available.