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Pages collated by
Jill Bowis of
started November 1999
These pages are being made up from the wealth of practical and technical knowledge that can be found on the newsgroup. None of the topics are finished - they probably never will be - we always have something to learn. If there is something you wnat to know that is not here - get on the group and ask - they are a really friendly group and no question is too simple - and hopefully if it is complicated someone will be able to help find the answer. The group is made up from all walks of poultry keeping from 2 birds in the city to commercial egg and meat producers - and from all over the world.
Ducks
Drakes need a MINIMUM of two girls each but we actually have 24 girls to 2 boys. And they're all happy.
I have a pair of muscovy ducks.
When I let them range and it starts to get dark they fly on my deck and
perch on the rail and stay there for the night. When I don't let them range
and there just in a dog kennel with a small coop inside it they spend the
night laying down outside the coop. Do you think I should put a perch
in the coop?
Sure, why not? They are typically
perching ducks,and would likely enjoy them . I have Muskovies also, and
have been contemplating perches myself.I am also building a ramp up to
a higher nest box area for the hens
I have a young duck and it
has lost the power of it's legs, what could be
the cause of the problem?
. Number one, what type of
surface is the duck on? It should have thick litter,or if that is not feasible,try
a wire cage with very small spacing between the wires.Otherwise they develope
a condition called
"Spraddle Legs" and this
CAN be permanent.You MAY end up having to tie a string carefully between
the two to keep them together and allow for proper growth.
Number two is a vitamin
deficiency. What are you feeding it?A duck starter or developer formula
is best, but a NON-medicated chicken starter will do as well,if no duck
feed is available.Also suppliment with finely chopped greens in water and
fine sand or grit,free choice daily.And PLENTY of water,deep enough for
it to dip it's whole head in,but not wide enough to get INto.
What do you use on your ground
to keep the dust down? Straw? When you sweep up the poops,
doesn't it waste a lot of bedding material? I was going to use shavings,
but I hate to throw it away every few days. I am in the city, and
don't want the odor to get bad and piss off my fussy neighbor lady.
I am raking up the poops every 3 days or so.
Sand ;-) I have ducks, and
have been told again and again,that they are messier than chickens, but
the sand really makes that very easy to rake up after ;-)
My ducks are now flying
across the yard very low to the ground but a little farther each time.
Will they stay if we don't clip their wings? Would it be better if we let
them go if they want? Of course we have become very attached, but
we have a friend who has a campground who said we can release them there.
I have plenty of room for them in our coop and they get along with the
chickens and turkeys but I don't want to pen them if they don't do well.
links
incubating
waterfowl eggs