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Şansal and Sharon's Site

In July 2004, I added five Khaki Campbell ducks to the "farm" as herding partners:  Bracken, Bramble, Clover & Nettle (females) and Austin (male).  The females immediately set to work laying two dozen eggs a week, thus paying for their own food and straw.  Good ducks!

The Ducks' Page

In late March of 2005, I returned home from work to find that Bracken, Bramble and Nettle had been killed by an unknown dog (later found to be a free-ranging 12 year old Lab who lived over a mile from my house).  After almost $300 in bills, two different vets managed to save Austin and Clover.  Their dislocated hips could not be repaired, but have healed up so well that they could soon walk without limping.

With their friends gone, the two surviving ducks were very lonely, so I added four Indian Runner ducks to the flock.

The ducks have an 8'x8' night pen (green pen in the photo) that they are locked in at night to keep safe from predators.  They also have a 4' high day pen (not shown in the photo) that gives them another 500 square feet of space to roam around in while I am at work.  They enjoy splashing in their kiddie pool and munching on the fresh veggies I supply every day for a treat.

When I am supervising them, the ducks are allowed to wander freely around my 3 acre front yard.  Both breeds of duck have been bred with a desire to forage for their food.  I'm not sure what they eat in the yard--bugs?  worms?  seeds?--but they sure return to the pen with full tummies!

In November 2005, Off White Duck burned her eye and face on a new bucket heater I bought to keep their water from freezing at night.  She is now permanently blind in that eye.  However, with the help of veterinary treatment and antibiotic pills and ointment, she healed up and is acclimating well. 

If you are considering buying any kind of insertable bucket heater for ducks or other poultry… please don't!  I am now using a 2-gallon all-in-one heated bucket with the heating element on the inside.  This is the only type of water heater that I recommend for poultry.

Update:  As of March 2006, the ducks have joined the flock of my herding instructor, Danny Shilling.  I have sold the house and am now living with the dogs in a suburban condo.  I miss them, but get to visit when we go to Danny's for herding lessons.