Preparations
Flapper & crew enjoyed a day in the yard today while I reconfigured their pens. We’re moving them to another part of the yard to plan for their big new aviary. They will probably still keep their predator-proof night pens, but in a month or so they’ll have a big predator-proof aviary for the day-time, too.
We didn’t get everything done today, so Chewy & Flapper are sharing a tiny spot for the night. They are pretty tired so I’m sure they’ll do fine. But they’ll be happy tomorrow when they have their 3 squares back.
Chewy is pretty excited about the new aviary, but it will still be a few weeks.
Quacks,
Tiff
7 Comments
Thanks Tiff, I saw you working hard at the construction details on Flapper cam this pm. I am sure the duckies appreciate all your efforts. Anything to keep them safe and sound is priceless.
I only wish we were closer so you could put me to work with the pens.
I saw a great article about http://www.operationmigration.org in the latest New York Times Sunday Magazine. It was a nice long piece about the people who are working hard to help whooping cranes without them getting too accustomed to people. Apparently the movie “Fly Away Home” was based on their first effort with Canada Geese.
I can’t wait till this is done. You’ll feel better too when you’re away from the brood – not worrying as much. Does it take long for ducks to adjust to new surroundings? I know cats can definitely rebell!!! LOL
You started! That’s so exciting. So how are you going forward now? Are you doing the building yourself or did you hire someone. And how is it going to look like?
I’m happy for the kids that their situation will change soon, I’m sure they all did fine, but it’s much better for them to have more space. It will be wonderful! I wished I could help, but the only help I can offer is encouragement;-) (and I will!)
Some news on my kids. Suki has layed perfect eggs all week, seven beautiful little jewels. I leave them with her (I shook them just in case) because I can’t eat them since she’s been on antibiotics and we don’t want more ducklings. She’s happy and once she start sitting on the eggs I leave her a couple of days on her nest and remove everything, than she can go out again. All’s well with Suki.
This week I found another soft shell egg in the yard, it had already been emptied by the crows. I am not sure who’s it was but I suspect Snowy or Spirit.
So I penned them too just in case. I too give them Baytrill, I don’t want to loose another duck. They seem well and happy but Sadie fooled be too, so I’m still worried. Still, either Snowy or Spirit has layed two perfect eggs in the mean time.
I think they are Spirit’s, I’ve seen Snuggles mating with her, Snowy keeps her distance from the drakes so maybe she’s not laying yet.
They are all on extra calcium (powder mixed in their feed) and oyster shells, extra vitamins and I am deworming all of them (except the ones on antibiotics).
(I’ve read that worms can conclude in laying problems too)
I contacted the man where I got the Gelder Girls from and asked if they have had problems with their ducks (I feared inbreeding), he said he never had problems and he’s had ducks for 30 years. Maybe he didn’t want to admit it, maybe he’s right though. I didn’t have any suspicion about their health when I went over to pick them up in August.
Maybe I should have had Sadie checked by a vet (autopsy) but our vet doesn’t know about birds and I didn’t want to have anyone cut into my sweet baby.
I hope everyone will stay happy and healthy, loosing Sadie really had a great effect on how I look at my birds health and the way I care for them. Made me insecure and anxious and that’s hard to let go of.
Good luck with the preparations, you’ll have some happy ducks when all is done:-)
hope the set up goes good
Wow, those lucky ducks get a huge place to play! It’s every bird mother’s dream….way to go Tif!
I’m so excited! Wish I could be there to help.
Looks like Choo and Flap were doing some serious flappin’.