The trials of duck ownership

[trystinn]

Last night's warm weather encouraged me to leave the baby ducklings out in the top section of the hutch with a heat lamp to keep them warm. Being the neurotic mommy I am, I went out every few hours until 2am to check on them. Little ducklings did great, though they have been peeping like crazy for the older ducks. Speaking of the Campbells, at 2am they were contentedly taking a midnight swim. Oy.

I must confess to being a duck butt watcher. I know the Campbells aren't old enough to have developed drake feathers, yet I'm checking them every morning for the tell tale (tail?) curlicue feather. Poor Bernard, Bianca, Madame & Penny have just about had it with all the butt gazing. In my own defense, so many of their adult feathers have come in and they've gotten so big I keep thinking "any day now". And yet, alas and alack, no drake feathers. Is it too much to ask of the Duck Gods that they all be females? Talk amongst yourselves.

This morning I went out to check on them and found the pond pump had fallen over, sprinkling 2/3 of the contents of the pond out into the yard. Shit. I yanked it out, unplugged it and laid it to the side to fill the pond. We're going to have to do *something* about this, I'm cleaning it out daily and it's still not enough. And this with only 4 ducks using the pond!

I need a duck icon. :>

Comments

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to know other folks are guilty of "stupid parent tricks." Can't wait to hear the verdict!

[keastree.livejournal.com]

You need a high capacity sand/bio filtration system to mitigate the pond problem. Pond bottom filtration ALWAYS suffers from these problems. Think one the size of a 55 gallon drum sitting next to the pond and dumping back into it. Your pond is probably not big enough for the number of ducks you have.

There's a couple ways to get around this. We should talk so I can blather from memory. I'll also call a couple of people I know and get some advice. Email me a number keaerisdottir AT gmail DOT com.

[keastree.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the duck own you. Thought that would be obvious. ;)

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I've been researching biofilters and that's definitely looking like our best bet.

Sorry to get back so late - can we rain check for Friday?

[crystallinegirl.livejournal.com]

I like this one, personally. XD

Oops! Wrong one. This is what I meant!

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

looks great, thanks!

[unique-thesame.livejournal.com]

A duck icon you shall have, with your own ducks! If you want to give me some good clear pictures I can make you a couple more of different styles.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Hmn. Give me a day or two and I'll report back with fresh pics.

[wild-heart.livejournal.com]

Your wish is my command . . . sometimes.

[glenmarshall.livejournal.com]

Here's mine.