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Not exactly chickens I know, but they're feathered and fowl so...
I'm collecting a pair at the weekend, but from what I've read about them it sounds as though they're not like normal quacker ducks, and I'm belatedly wondering if I've done the wrong thing? (Bit late now to change my mind, but maybe I can at least prepare better for them!).
I've read that even with wings clipped or pinioned (what exactly is pinioning, is it different from clipping?), they can fly over a 5ft fence. Oops. Also that they'll never become very friendly (so how do I train them to be herded inside at night?), and that they're very territorial (they'll have separate sleeping areas, but will share a large run with the chickens - is this likely to cause problems?).
I'm planning on providing a large plastic box with holes in for door and ventilation, and a perch above the box for if they prefer to roost high up like the chickens - they're tree ducks, so assume they'll want to. What do I put on the floor of the secure pen where they'll sleep? It's a concrete base. And in the box, in case they want to use it? Wood shavings like the chickens?
I've read they shouldn't get red mites - is this true?
I've read both that you should and shouldn't feed them grains including wheat - which is correct?
When Ms Duck is ready to lay eggs, do I need to put a nesting box high up for her, or will a low down one do? Again, I've read differing advice on this.
Can we eat their eggs?
Oh, so many more questions as the panic sets in - but if anyone can help with any of the above, I'd be very grateful!
Thx.
I'm collecting a pair at the weekend, but from what I've read about them it sounds as though they're not like normal quacker ducks, and I'm belatedly wondering if I've done the wrong thing? (Bit late now to change my mind, but maybe I can at least prepare better for them!).
I've read that even with wings clipped or pinioned (what exactly is pinioning, is it different from clipping?), they can fly over a 5ft fence. Oops. Also that they'll never become very friendly (so how do I train them to be herded inside at night?), and that they're very territorial (they'll have separate sleeping areas, but will share a large run with the chickens - is this likely to cause problems?).
I'm planning on providing a large plastic box with holes in for door and ventilation, and a perch above the box for if they prefer to roost high up like the chickens - they're tree ducks, so assume they'll want to. What do I put on the floor of the secure pen where they'll sleep? It's a concrete base. And in the box, in case they want to use it? Wood shavings like the chickens?
I've read they shouldn't get red mites - is this true?
I've read both that you should and shouldn't feed them grains including wheat - which is correct?
When Ms Duck is ready to lay eggs, do I need to put a nesting box high up for her, or will a low down one do? Again, I've read differing advice on this.
Can we eat their eggs?
Oh, so many more questions as the panic sets in - but if anyone can help with any of the above, I'd be very grateful!
Thx.
. I'll certainly post photos, although they won't have pretty feathers when I first get them. How on earth do you get them to bed if they don't respond to herding?? Am I best keeping them in a fairly small area to start off with?
. But then I don't want them for eggs particularly, or for meat, just for fun because I love waddling quacking ducks, so 'ornamental' didn't seem to be a problem really... only apparently they don't even quack 
. Mind you, I can see this will present a perfect necessary opportunity to get a couple more later, just so's I can fulfil my lifelong dream of quackers in the garden *violins kick in *. And of course if I have a pretty male mandarin duck to admire for his looks, I'll be quite happy with female- only 'normal' ducks, so no risk of dozens of cuties I can't bear to part with... see, it's all worked out for the best in the end 
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