Homesteading

[WhiskeySandwich]

welp, it was all but inevitable: we lost our first bird. Still, it's a bummer. We've grown to really like the ducks, and I actually favor them over the chickens. Whatever happened, it was off video, so we can only guess. Feels like a who-dunnit case. Although this particular duck has been acting strangely the past couple days (sleeping all day, even while free-ranging), it didn't seem like it'd just up and die. There were some minor wounds apparent, but possibly post-mortem....Pretty sure Rosco wasn't the cause of death, but he was the only one on the scene... with feathers in his mouth. The other birds had scattered. Because of Rosco's history, and the recent strange behavior by this particular duck....I think something else may have ended the duck, and Rosco was 'investigating'. I've heard stories of similar situations....

[jordanscollected]

@WhiskeySandwich sorry to hear you lost the bird. My wife and I are preparing for loss even though we just got the dang ducks and chickens.

[goosehd]

@WhiskeySandwich my brother in law came home one night to all of his chickens in distress running around in their pen. When he went into the coup to figure out what was upsetting them so much, he found an owl feasting on one of the chickens…

[WhiskeySandwich]

yeah the threats are real if you let them out, even if you dont. they're 'sitting ducks'. Predators are crafty. We'd keep them locked up but even that doesn't guarantee their safety. What it does guarantee though, is that their quality of life is greatly diminished. Those birds LOVE getting let out to run.

[WhiskeySandwich]

Replaced our lost Indian runner duck with another, along with 3 khaki Campbells, one of which is already laying. Getting them all integrated today.

[SKT]

Big happy bird family right there

[popvulture]

lololol love duck chillin' in the pool — plus great assortment of chickens! I spy some buff orps, barred rocks, rhode island?

[WhiskeySandwich]

@popvulture yup! Got a good variety, some mixed up ones, and a lavender too. They had some wild looking breeds at the farm today, might have to pick up some weirdos later on. Lol

[popvulture]

@WhiskeySandwich hell yeah, man — gotta catch em all!

[Mizmazzle]

@WhiskeySandwich what a happy foul family!! Birds look like they got a primo set up!

[WhiskeySandwich]

Here’s a shot of our duckhouse I’ve been working on. I’m sure they’ll be happier away from the rooster.