Duck House

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Yesterday we removed the big brooder out of the run so that the chicks could be in the run with the big girls and the ducks, we had it propped up for a day so they could escape in there but the big girls were ducking up under neath and going in themselves so we said to heck with it. Polly seems to be the worst at chasing.

I do have to catch them and put them inside the hen house at night though or they just want to lay outside with the ducks. They are still confused about what they are I think.

The run looks so big with the brooder removed. It reminds me of what the house feels like after you take the Christmas tree down. I have put up a couple sticky fly things on the outside of the run, I notice lots more flies since adding the ducks. I will have to find something else to use to control them.

Polly says "Oh sorry were you wanting a picture of me?"

So this morning Eric and Jeff put the duck  house in the run. I love it, I was going to paint it to match the hen house but Jeff wants to let it weather since he used different wood for it.

There goes that extra feeling of space…ha! I did put the yellow ladder on the other side of the run now and removed the wooden saw horse I had in there.

Perhaps I need a Ducks Only sign? It's pretty cool, the top lifts up to collect eggs, and then the front opens full like a door (there are hinges on the right) to clean it out. The ramp just sits there so for easy access. Chickens can step up but ducks have a bit more of a problem, they shuffle more.

So again tonight I had to grab Mary and Rhoda and pop them in the hen house, right now I just set them in  a nesting box a piece. That is not the place for them but at least they are in the hen house and I hope eventually they do it on their own and use the roosting bars.  I did have to chase them and while I did I chased the ducks into their house and locked them in. Then quickly grabbed the chicks.  I had to actually lift the ducks up and set them in, boy they are sure smooth feeling.

Then they quacked and quacked, and I noticed they nibbled a bit on their pine bedding and then the worry wart in me was like oh my gosh they might eat that and choke. Ducks need water when they eat, so I opened it back up and they headed back to the pool.  I need to research a bit more on that if I need different bedding or some water in there (although I think it would be a mess if I did put water in there).  Our run is enclosed all around and they have been just sleeping in there out in the open for a week, but still I think they would be securer in the house.  More to come.

Have a blessed Sunday and thanks for stopping in.