Integrating injured duck

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks Sebducks.. so even dividing the group into two groups of two girls/one boy won't soften their behavior?

Both boys are just lovely.. It would be so sad to let them go but I do know someone that breeds Khaki Campbell's so they could go to girl duck paradise (!!) if that's what I have to do to make everyone happy... Damn duck hormones!!

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Yes dividing the group will help, you could also get another couple of females and leave the group together. The males may eventually settle down once breeding season has finished also.

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

.. when will the breeding season be finished??!!

I'd really like to keep the boys but not sure if I can get more girls due to space.. "0(

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Apologies for being a total newb but here are the three tons that I have available to me:

1. Extend the current pen I have allowing the boys to free roam during that day but also have a penned area separate from the girls. They will also sleep separately to the girls.. i.e not contact with the girls, but may only need to be separate during mating season. Dilemma.. Is it cruelty keep them separate from the girls?

2. Rehome the boys to a friend who has a good set up, has owned ducks before but not now. Dilemma.. No girls ducks for the boys.

3. Rehome the boys to a breeder of khaki ducks. Dilemma.. Am I turning into a pimp??

Thoughts and guidance please as to the best option for my hormone crazy boys..

conf665

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Firstly how is your injured girl? Don't make too much work for yourself. My ducks have settled down now and there is only the odd mating of the females. Your ultimate outcome would be to have the girls and the boys intogether. You might have to put them all together and then go out for awhile

so you don't worry yourself to death.

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

The injured one (now affectionately known as 'Hopi') seems to have recovered well. There is only a very slight limp, hardly noticeable really but the leg she had injured seems to quite turned in so I am not too sure if that is also causing her to have a bit of limp when she waddles..? Thanks for asking after her though

than657

I am starting to lean towards extending the pen area so we can keep the boys but I have to now convince the other half as he is concerned for the dog which is now quite petrified of going outside if she can hear the ducks!

I might also see if I can separate the boys to two girls each and see if that helps but you are right.. no one likes to see their little ones engaging in lurd behavior!! So walking away might be the thing though I might still keep an eye on Hopi..

BTW.. the girls are getting better.. They are swimming a little and eating a lot. They are also coming near me at dinnner time.. yey!!

I also got my first two eggs today!! They should be alright to eat.. right?

conf665

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Glad your injured girl is recovering. I have one here that broke a leg when little, I fixed it but it still has a funny walk when you have to herd it around.

If you extend the pen you could keep them all together as there would be more room for the girls and the boys.

Yes, the eggs will be absolutely fine to eat, they have alot more white than yolk and a different taste to hens eggs. Good for cooking.

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Looks like I have a weekend of baking ahead!

I also need to clean the duck house and wondered about the girls nest area.. now that they are laying eggs, do I avoid disturbing their nest or are they not bothered..?

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

If you don't want ducklings keep collecting the eggs from the nest or they'll soon become clucky and sit. If you need to clean, clean away. I have a duck sitting at present and I clean the coop around her, she hisses at me when I'm too close but it doesn't disturb her that much. I use cane mulch in my chook pen sleeping area as my chooks and ducks share.

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Yeah.. I have straw and shredded paper and their beds are lovely and comfy!

Do you have pekins? As I heard that they tend to not be so clucky and don't sit on their nests as much..

Also with the girls separate from the boys at the moment I am guessing the eggs aren't fertilised.. so no ducklings yet.

dh8989u9

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Integrating injured duck

Who is on the Forum