They say that chickens are a “gateway” farm animal. But the gateway to what? When looking to expand your farm, waterfowl might seem like a natural addition. Ducks and geese do make a lovely addition to your poultry farm, but they are not just water chickens. Geese in particular require some different care than other …
Ducks & Geese
Domesticated ducks don’t have many natural defenses against predators. It is important to take steps to keep your ducks safe. In the wild, ducks rely mainly on flight to escape hungry predators. They will not resort to fighting unless cornered (and they won’t stand a chance fighting most predators). Domestic duck breeds are too large …
One of the questions I get asked most often is how to tell the difference between male & female ducks. It can be tricky with some breeds unless you know what to look for. These methods can be used for most domestic duck breeds. I don’t have a ton of knowledge on wild breeds, but …
Flies and farms don’t have to go hand in hand. While there will always be some nuisance flies around your farm, there are several things you can do to reduce their population. Flies are not just a nuisance however. They can also pose several health issues. Biting flies can transmit diseases to your livestock (or …
Ducks make an excellent addition to any homestead. They are reliable layers of extra large eggs and are excellent foragers to help keep your yard pest free. Plus they have such fun personalities! It is impossible not to smile while watching your ducks splash about in a puddle or small pool. Ducks are hardy birds …
Angel Wing is a wing deformity that can occur with ducks while they are still growing. A duck with Angel Wing has the flight feathers on one or both wings twist away from the body so they stick out instead of laying flat around their midsection. The main feathers in the wing grow over each …
I get a lot of questions every day about raising ducks. One of the most frequent duck topics I hear about has to do with dealing with drakes and their behavior. Many of those questions concern mating issues – so I’ll try to keep this post as PG as possible, but fair warning – ducks …
It is an unfortunate fact of life that if you keep animals in your backyard you are going to attract rodents. It doesn’t mean your farm is dirty or that you are messy, rodents are just everywhere and if you provide things like shelter, food, & water they are going to gratefully accept your hospitality. …
You got your first fluffy chicks or ducklings – congratulations! While those fuzzy little ones are busy growing and you are daydreaming about all the fresh eggs that will be coming your way soon, it’s the perfect time to build some cozy nests for all those eggs. Your birds will instinctively seek out a comfortable, …
Niacin (also known at Vitamin B3) is a vital nutrient that ducklings need to grow strong & healthy bones. Anyone who has raised ducklings knows they grow crazy fast – sometimes it seems to happen right before your eyes. In the first two weeks of life, the average duckling gains 7 times their birth weight!! …