| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Mary-Jane |
Questions on starting with ducks...Assuming Gervase eventually gives in (most probably just to keep the peace and have a quiet life) what sort of ducks should I consider? Although I've already chatted to one or two people off-forum I'd be interested to know everyone's views on this.Also there's the question of housing. Jack's shed, which is now looking a bit sorry for itself, could have its roof re-covered and grills put in the windows, plus a ramp. Would that do? And do we need to enclose them like the chickens...or can they ramble about a bit more? Would they stay close-ish to the water and their duck house? |
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| Rob R |
Ours rarely go much further than between the duck hut & the pond. They're Call ducks & so purely ornamental, and the only useless animals on the farm myself excepted. Housing need only be pretty simple, so yes. I had Aylesburys when I kept ducks for meat. | ||||||||
| bodger |
khaki campbells would be my choice for eggs.
Indian Runners, if you can get hold of a utility strain for slightly fewer eggs but for more visual pleasure. |
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| Mary-Jane |
If we got say, 4 or 5 female Khaki Campbells, would that be okay then Bodger? I mean, I assume they don't need a drake to 'keep them in order' or anything do they? | ||||||||
| Gervase |
*splutter*
Clearly in this particular menagerie the male of the species is pretty insignificant and can be ignored! |
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| Mary-Jane |
I'm only asking questions darling...what harm can that do? 
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| Frewen Feltmaker |
and it does sound like such a good idea
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| hedgewitch |
Knowledge is never wasted, you know. 
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| bodger |
I used to be Gervase's mate but I think I may have just been scratched off his list.
No need for a drake MJ and I think that five might be two too many. Five khaki Campbells would soon see you sick of the sight of duck eggs. |
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| Mary-Jane |
So three would be okay then? They wouldn't get lonely...or two of them gang up on the third one or anything? 
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| Mary-Jane |
What is their average laying number per week? |
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| Mary-Jane |
Well quite girls...and just three ickle, lickle ducks. What harm could that do...?
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| hedgewitch |
Quite. And think of the wonderful, delicious and new breakfast and supper dishes using duck eggs. (Plus the eggs are soooooo pretty).
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| dougal |
Ducks being pretty amiable softies really, and if you've got space for more than three little Kakhi's, how about a couple of (orange sauce) Aylesbury's, to be of more, (cough) general interest... | ||||||||
| lottie |
If you're getting some to eat as well as ducks for eggs get Muscovies---bright,entertaining and taste really good---slightly darker meat and less fat than some other table ducks.
p.s. Their eggs taste good too. |
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
how much room do they actually need then? And do you not get eggs off call ducks? they're so pretty, call ducks - could get quite tempted meself |
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| wellington womble |
Oh goodness - see what you started, MJ? 
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| Rob R |
Here's a page form the Call duck association: http://www.callducks.net/looking_after_calls.htm
Ours have a 125m2 pond & they rarely go much further than the sides of that, so a largeish garden with some water would be enough to keep them happy. They lay from February until they have a clutch, but the eggs are obviously small & I always leave them to sit them. |
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| Contadino |
They're just stupid. clumsy, and messy chickens really. We used to have Muscovies which were really ugly and just wanted to make friends with Mr Fox. As a species, they're just a joke. Like manatees. | ||||||||
| lottie |
Rubbish 
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| Mary-Jane |
(With concerned, well meaning look on face) Were you very badly let down by a duck once then?
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| hedgewitch |
*splutter* |
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| Contadino |
Ha! Must've been. I guess that's where the phrase 'out for a duck' comes from. ...and you need to witness the smell from a broody duck when she gets off the nest before getting any. Heavens above! Incredible from such a relatively little animal. They can out-stink Slough. |
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| Mary-Jane |
What? They smell of Mars chocolate when the wind is in the right direction...?
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| Rob R |
They can stink but only if you don't clean them out, give enough bedding or aerate the 'slab' they create, in which case you aren't looking after them properly. |
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| bodger |
They fly like blinking pigeons. I once bought a trio, the two females flew twice around the farmyard and cleared off never to be seen again. They left me with the ugliest warty drake you've ever seen. Did I only say "cleared off" ? I must be mellowing, but you get the gist 
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| lottie |
Yeah that's why I clipped their wings once they'd grown---the downside was they couldn't get away from the fox---now they are habituated to the place I think I might risk not doing them this year. |
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| bodger |
I reckon the bloke I bought them off must have been onto a winner, he must have sold the same pair to half the village at one time or another.
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| Contadino |
Ours used to nest all over the place, and whenever they got off the nest they'd do HUGE poos that stank to high heaven. Eye-watering. |
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| Rob R |
Don't sniff them then
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| woodsprite |
I only keep muscovies now. They taste fab, make excellent mothers, rearing a dozen or so ducklings a year and lay enormous eggs. Mine stay unclipped and roost either on the rafters in the barn or in the oak tree, so no need to shut them up at night. They also free range over the surrounding fields and forest but they always fly home at night.
Fab, trouble free, healthy beasties.
I do have a soft spot for call ducks too, my last remaining apricot call, Archie, died of old age last year. Last years muscovies ducklings.....ahhhhhh! 
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| mochyn |
That reminds me, Woodsprite: have you got any 'spare' Musvoies at the moment? I'd like a trio... | ||||||||
| Mary-Jane |
Me too. |
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| mochyn |
I think Gervase is fighting a losing battle. |
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| colour it green |
muscovies only breed with muscovies.. thats right isn't it?
my parents have one that just arrived... its a teenager now.. so they live a long time. and they perch.... this one would fly over, perch on the stable door at the kitchen and poop ... sometimes into the kitchen. would nick the cats food too... |
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| judith |
I think they will breed with any duck, but their offspring will be sterile. |
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| woodsprite |
Thats right Judith.
I'll go out and count up my flock and let you know Mochyn and MJ |
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| mochyn |
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| Rob R |
Isn't it a good job that Gervase & M-J don't share the same login
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| pookie |
This made me cry laughing thanks Bodger!
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| Blue Peter |
Stupid question time: how do you get the eggs if they're up in the rafters or an oak tree? Peter. |
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| woodsprite |
They don't make nests up there!!
They lay on the ground, currently behind the freezer in the barn. The nest shifts periodically and we have to hunt the new one down. It is a bit of a pain but I'm happy doing it and letting them have as natural life as is possible for farmed birds. |
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| pookie |
The ones I got from you haven't laid yet Woodsprite.....or have they?? off to check behind the freezer
I presume they will start soon though, just getting used to us I suppose 
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| Blue Peter |
Since I'm on a roll
Do you feed them at all, or do they just forage? Peter. |
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| woodsprite |
Nah, it was a fair enough question BP, I was just teasing.
I do feed my birds but not with layers pellets or stuff like that. I buy mixed corn direct from a farmer friend of mine and they get that. Its true that I don't get an egg a day all year round from my birds. I used to but I've become keener on keeping them more naturally over the years. I'm always slightly amazed that some people strongly support eating seasonally but still expect their birds to lay all year round. 
I've been at this smallholding malarky all my life and my position on lots of stuff has change considerably over the years. Different strokes and all that.
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