Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Domestic Ducks and Geese for a large tank

Pottsy:

The only control I have for now is that the island is some 65' or so from the east shoreline and the bridge to the island has a 3' high gate across the dock. The ducks and geese freely roam the entire lake and shoreline while the guinea fowl were wing clipped so they will get familar with their surrounding before they release their new flight feathers next summer and fly to the mainland but hopefully return each night to roost in their duck/guinea house with all the trimmings. My only problem may be when the ice freezes......hopefully the ducks and geese will go to the open water of the windmill aerator near by and the guinea's will fly up to the highest point for protection. So far all the ducks and geese have survived, by feeding them from the island near nighttime and having them remain there throughout the night. Hopefully, in the spring I will add a few more types of geese and ducks such as African and Chinese geese etc. Also, I may add a few turkeys and laying chickens to the mix and continue to build another floating dock from the 1st island to the 2nd some 60' away so the birds that can't swim, can walk and forage for insects etc. Regards....

Rowly

You've probably posted it but I cannot find it... how big is that island of yours?

P.S. You seem to have even more projects/hobbies on the go then I do... (No easy feat)... when do you find time to go to work?

Pottsy, it has been my experience that the birds are pretty well able to fend for themselves if they have open water available. I won't suggest cages because your Bears will of course tear them apart!! My biggest problem is with hens on nests. They will try to defend the nest when they start incubating and are easy prey for a lot of critters. I also have a windmill aerator although we don't get frozen in like you folks do. I believe Rowly is able to keep open water available with his. My wife wants to worry about the Geese in winter, but I point out to her that Goose Down is as good an insulator as there is.
Good luck!
Jim

Pottsy/Jim:

Each island is approx. 1/2 acre, therefore totalling 1 acre of ground surface. Pottsy, its work, work, work with all my free time spent on the various projects. I have given myself some 5 years to complete the 6000' plus of shoreline. Maybe I will treat myself to a "Bobcat" skidsteer to ease the work in pondscaping. Hopefully the gravel pit escavation will be completed next year, so I can have the large berms leveled to the water along the north shoreline and create a waterfall, small fish ponds and streams in my backyard with one pump from the lake and recycling back into the lake some 200'-300' following the natural contour of the topography behind the house. My wife and I sit in the hot tub and get our inspiration and energy overlooking the completed and future work. Its truelly a dream of a life time, in having a part of the "Muskoka's" in your backyard. So far I believe I have used some 100 tons of rip rap rock but all this material is in my "backyard"....its like a kid in a candy store........open to your imagination. Any ideas for future projects...HA!HA!

Rowly

Rowly- You are lucky to have a wife that is in 'cahoots', that's all I can say. : )

Pottsy:

Right on!!!!! That's why I chased her until she caught me.....HA!HA! Merry Xmas to ya allllll.

Rowly

PS the lake completely froze on DEC 02/03 with that cold front

Hi Rowly:
Hope you and your critters are surviving the winter OK. I have had a serious amount of predation the last few days and I haven't been able to identify the predator. It's a long story, so I won't bore you with it unless you need it! In any event, my ducks have begun to lay and I expect you will see similar behavior sooner than you might expect. I will not be using my incubators anymore and since you said you were going to try incubation, I thought I would offer them to you if you haven't already purchased them. They (2) are in excellent condition and have the automatic egg turners and turbo fans. I paid about $130 ea for them and you can have the pair for $40 plus shipping if you are interested. The offer is also good for anyone else should you not need them. Happy New Year and I hope you have an early thaw!
Jim

Jim:

I hope you get that predator. I have lost 5 muscovies over the last few weeks. They are the only ducks that can fly and they do- to the back field near the bush. They all eat good and are like 747's taking off, therefore an easy pray for the foxes and coyotes. The weather the last few days have fallen to near 0 degrees and the windmill is providing only a small hole for the birds to swim in. The lake went from open water 3 days ago to today where I walked on the ice and cut a larger hole to help against predators if they happen to venture out onto the ice. Yes I'm very interested in your offer. We should talk by email to confirm addresses and details, etc. Thanks again

Rowly

Rowly, your registered email address is not current. My address is [email protected] 5 losses is tough, I lost 20 in 4 nights and I haven't checked yet this morning! I'm not sure what hoops I have to go through to mail to Canada, but I'm sure the post office will know the drill. I want to put the incubator boxes in larger boxes to protect them. I'm guessing that the overboxes will cost $4 ea or so. Not a lot of weight, so I wouldn't think the shipping should be more than about $10 ea.
Jim

Rowly, I did some checking online and it appears that the shipping charges would be $20.05 each. I have a box that fits the egg turners, so I just need to get a box for the incubators - let me know.
Jim

Jim:

I will email you for particulars. Thanks again and sorry for your luck.

Rowly