Re: Ducklings I have found this all fascinating. Thanks Rachael for letting us share in your feathered family. I do hope we haven't made it MORE difficult for you ;D (I bet she keeps quiet about the next batch of hatchlings guys, just in case)
Re: Ducklings Thank, guys I've enjoyed it. Stacia, I definitely think they'd miss their friends when they go as they are very group oriented. But I also know (from watching ducks I have bought) that they adapt very easily to a new situation and a new group. So there'd be an initial period of stress but within a couple of days they'd start to feel at home. The main thing is that they go somewhere where they have the necessities like swimming water, safety, a clean living environment - and peas! Ariel's new owners know all about peas. Julie, I don't sell single males without a girlfriend (unless I know they are going to a place that has a group of females or a female that they are joining) because, well, I don't want them to be dinner. Plus you need a certain ratio of males to females so I don't want males going into an environment without enough girls in it. Sending them with their own girl is a bit of insurance against that. Also, a pair is easier to sell. With a pair like Harri and Meri my target market is a pet home where they'll get a lot of attention.
Re: Ducklings Well, Ariel has gone to his new home now. He'll have a garden to roam in during the day, a fox proof pen at night, a group of girlfriends and a pea supply. I'm sure he will be happy once he settles in. His new people have confirmed that he can come back here for visits if we want to breed from him. Nice to have that option. Here are a few pics from this morning (the full group of six). They're a bit shaggy as they're in one of several juvenile moults. Waiting to be let through the gate and into their pen (where the peas await). Running into their pen. Peas ahoy! Last cuddle with Ariel. I'll miss him - it's always sad to see them head off. He might be back one day though The group of five out in the garden.
Re: Ducklings I bet that's hard, seeing one of the babies go. [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg60544#msg60544 date=1394696775] He'll have a garden to roam in during the day, a fox proof pen at night, a group of girlfriends and a pea supply. [/quote] What more can a young drake want though?
Re: Ducklings There are two photo-bombing chickens this time The black one on the patch of grass with the ducks is Lockyer and the one closest to the camera is Wills. They are both Australian Langshans.
Re: Ducklings Think you should recreate Ellen's now-famous Oscars 'selfie' with the ducklings and willing chickens... Clicker train them into posing and presenting their best side?? Clare
Re: Ducklings I will pass on any updates about him Hubby is under instructions to ask after him today. Clare - the phrase 'life's too short' comes to mind
Re: Ducklings Happy to report today that young Ariel is settling in well. His new people say that he was very quiet on the trip home (he is a very quiet and sensible boy, but also confident). When he arrived they put him in the duck pen and he spent quite some time exploring it. Today the lady ducks are all out in the yard but he is in the duck pen so he can continue to get used to it (also check out the ladies through the fence). So, all is well.
Re: Ducklings Here are a couple of pics of Ariel I had taken last week. And the rest of 'em. Waiting for lettuce. The black chicken is Lockyer. Lettuce!!! Duck bottoms.
Re: Ducklings He's very handsome So wish that his bill had turned out solid blue....he is fab in every other way and he'd have blown away the competition. I have a show coming up on the 10th May - the NSW Waterfowl Breeders' Show. I'll be putting Christopher in it and his Dad, Solander, and possibly Christopher's Mum, Duyfken (depending on how she comes out of her current moult).
Re: Ducklings How difficult are chickens to keep, Rachael? I have been toying with the idea of some bantams…
Re: Ducklings Chickens are very easy to keep A couple of bantams would be very comfortable in a pen of about 4 sq metres (with foxproof metal mesh on all walls, floor and roof). If you have a 'deep litter' floor maintenance is low - 'deep litter' basically means a thick layer of organic material (fallen leaves, pea straw, mulch, wood shavings....anything really) that the birds turn over and over. It becomes a sort of compost with its own ecosystem and does not smell. About twice a year you remove it and put it on your garden and replace with fresh material. At the same time you spray the coop area with something to prevent mites. Chickens need worming every 3-6 months (I use tablets to be sure they've all been dosed). Keep an eye on and refresh the food and water as needed. Throw them some greens each day. That's about it. Once you have a good housing arrangement set up chickens take up very little time. This is my chook pen (ignore the large, blond chicken
