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Post by Aly on Sept 7, 2017 16:22:25 GMT
Been having a re think over where they all live. Daughter and son in law want to make the pond area more of a garden.that is at the top of our property by the entrance. The middle section is for the ducks, the next bit for the dogs and the back for the chickens. I want to create a small pond in the chicken area and bring the ducks down putting their house in the big chicken run. They get on fine with the chickens. The Geese can then have the duck area which is shared with the bee hives and has a small pond they can use. The big pond can then be developed to be a wildlife garden. We are gradually losing the ducks and I will not replace them. We can live without duck eggs. The chickens we will always keep as we love all the fresh eggs.
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Post by Aly on Sept 9, 2017 7:23:42 GMT
I have moved the poorly duck to the broody house in the chicken run. I filled the house with straw o make her warm and comfy. She has come out into the run on her own this morning and has eaten and drunk. I am hoping I can pull her through!
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Post by Aly on Sept 12, 2017 15:41:10 GMT
My duck sadly died! I am picking up a male Muscovy duck tomorrow as I have just one female Muscovy duck!
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Post by Aly on Sept 13, 2017 13:43:24 GMT
Dennis is here and has found Dolly. They seem to know they are the same breed! No fighting so Far!
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Post by Aly on Jul 8, 2020 10:48:48 GMT
Sadly very few ducks left now due to the fox. I lost the females because they insisted on going over to the field to lay their eggs. Two of my three mallard drakes flew off one day and did not return. We had some mallards fly over a few times and I suspect they went to join them. Now I have two grumpy male Muscovy ducks who insist on living with the chickens. I have one male mallard and a large white male duck who lives with him. I still have my pair of geese and for the first time Mrs Goose is properly sitting on three eggs. I do not expect any to hatch. Chicken wise I am now down to eight big ones due to old age and the fox. I also have a trio of beautiful bantams. I was given the pair and this year they have hatched one female chick. Of the big chickens one of the old cockerels is very weak now but still managing to get around. The alpha cockerel was killed by the fox whilst protecting the flock. Once we move we will build a coop with a big run and keep them contained and protected. It is heart breaking to lose them.
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Post by brightspark on Jul 8, 2020 13:54:18 GMT
Once we live with animals, they seem to become part of the family, so it's always sad to lose any of them, so I don't doubt it's heartbreaking - it'd be the same with me, too.
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Post by Aly on Aug 24, 2020 13:28:15 GMT
All change here. The remaining ducks and my much loved geese have been rehomed. They have gone to a good place with a big pond and seven acres of land for them to roam. The new house does not have a pond or enough space for them. The chickens are now being kept to their barn and run to get them used to the arrangement as there will be no free ranging once we move. P will be building them a big coop with a big run where I know they will be happy. Gathering lots of ideas from Pinterest. This morning one of the bantams escaped as they can fly and there is no roof on the current run. Took me hours to get her back. There will be a roof on the new run. I miss the ducks and geese but life has changed.
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Post by brightspark on Aug 25, 2020 7:55:19 GMT
Oh Aly, I can understand how much you miss them, but knowing they are somewhere with lots of space and a nice pond, at least they should be happy. We're too soft really, chatting to the animals, and loving them, but it's much better than if they are a chore. <3
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Post by dgraves on Apr 8, 2021 9:17:52 GMT
I like the way you kept everyone informed. I did the same thing when I lived in the country with my parents. We had a lot of animals, and it was great to take care of them. I think I'll go back to my village when I'm older.
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