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Barnyard Buddies:  New Pekin Ducklings  |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 12 2008 : 6:32:27 PM
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| Hi everyone... I have a question. We live out in the country and have a pretty average size pond, this pond has been on this land for many generations . We are really wanting ducks, I ordered some at the local farm and garden store. Our pond is not fenced and eventually we want the ducks to roam free in the yard and pond. We were planning on making a pen with some chicken wire for now, we have a little dog house for their house and we bought a small pool at wal-mart to let them stay in also. Will they be ok out in the yard in their pen while they are babies? We live in Louisiana so it is fairly warm here now. There is no way I can keep them in the house. I was just wondering if our plans sound ok? Since this will be a first for us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2008 : 7:14:00 PM
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Is there any way you can hook up a heat lamp for them temporarily. Also, do not give them their pool until they are completely feathered out in a couple months. Only give them deep enough water to submerge their beaks or else they will get chilled and/or drown, but they need to be able to flush out their nostrils. Otherwise, I think you are doing fine. My have been roaming the yard and have a blast.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 06:48:36 AM
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I think I might be able to do the lamp. I can get my father to do it if my husband is at work. We are thinking we can put them on the back porch--it is covered while they are itty bitty and put them in the little pool ( no water of course) with some kind of covering on top to protect them. Then after a couple weeks we will build a small pen close the the house for them, then finally when they are mature enough we will move them out closer to the pond. Although I do not want it right on the pond because I think we will have them locked up at night so nothing can get them.
Thanks so much! |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2008 : 5:24:36 PM
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That sounds good, Michelle. I think that will probably be good enough. It sounds like you are already doing a great job!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:27:28 AM
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Here is a update on my baby ducks, they keep me very busy. We also got a baby farm raised bunny. Her name is cuddles, she loves to be held. I have kept so busy with the ducklings. But when my husband comes home tomorrow we are going to put their cage out on the grass and give them a fenced in area to waddle. They are starting to quack. The one with the poofy hair we are assuming is a boy. We call him Nick...... well my girls named him. After a Jonas Brother. Husband and I refused to let them name the bunny because she would have had a Jonas Brother name too... ha ha. Thanks for the ifo, we did put a lamp on them and it was very important so thanks so much for letting me know about it. My dad and husband want to get some chickens going next spring, not sure what I think of that though. The last picture is when they were less than a week old.
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 6:48:28 PM
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| How do you tell what sex they are? I thought he was a he-- ha ha. I know nothing about them and am learning as I go along. We have 10....... it gets overwhelming at times! |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 3:39:05 PM
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well the females beaks will turn a pale pink by about 3 weeks of age and their peeps will be louder. the males will retain a brighter yellow beak and be quite a bit quieter. the poof ball one that you have appears to be a male..darker yellow beak.in pekings you can actually tell at about 3 weeks /sometimes even sooner..pale pink beaks are girls, darker beaks..more yellow on the beak..are boys.boys are always quieter than the girls.
I was just saying that I have a female duckling just like your poof ball headed one..and my duckling is named marigold.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Michelle Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
Michelle
Many
Louisiana
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2008 : 6:52:24 PM
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Oh, I think I have quite a few boys then! I have tried reading on the net about them but everything I find almost tells you how to "cook" them. I will not be able to cook one of my pets. I would do no good raising livestock for food! ha ha
Thanks so much for the info........ I think the little poofball ones are the cutest. I thought maybe the males all had the poofs and the females did not but now I understand they are just crested. I am slow girl, forgive me! |
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Barnyard Buddies: New Pekin Ducklings |
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New Pekin Ducklings
