Day 68

This is how we keep them off the porch. I used a cheap wire garden boarder I got at K-Mart. It comes in 10 foot lengths, and three of them was enough to block them from the low parts of the porch. For the step, I just broke off the spikes that stick into the ground, and added a bar between the arcs using wire from a white coat hanger. It looks nice and neat, was cheap and works!

Here is the finished pond. Note the barley hay cleanser float.

We got the pond finished yesterday afternoon, and that has been where they are ever since (except when I herded them into their pen for the night)! They certainly do love their pond. Even though it has meant a lot more work for me, I'm glad now that I got them one. It is peaceful seeing them so happy and content. It makes me forget my own stress!

I was at the feed store yesterday afternoon and they had Purina Layena (the laying feed I planned to start them on in a few weeks) in stock so I went ahead and got some. This particular feed store is supposedly a Purina dealer, but they are always promoting a cheaper brand called Bartlett, which is medicated and about 1/2 the price of Purina Layena (that should be a red flag!). Every time I ask them if the Purina foods are in stock, they tell me they have Bartlett and I have to insist they check to see if the Purina is in. Most of the time I have inquired, they were out of stock. Its a little early, but I thought I'd go ahead and get some while the getting was good. They will be starting on it in about four weeks.

I could have used Mazuri Waterfowl Breeder but is is just as expensive as the Maintenance formula, and would have to be special ordered. I would have gotten the Purina Duck Chow instead, but it isn't available for the feed store to order in my area and if I ordered it online, I'd pay the same as the Mazuri once shipping was added! I do like the Mazuri because it floats, but with the nutritional quality being equal,I could do without that feature for a cheaper price.

9 1/2 Weeks (67 days) Old!

Look at this terrible twosome! They are trying to get into mischief!

Here is a front view of their night pen. We got most of the privacy fence/barricade up but are two pieces shy. We'll get around to finishing it one of these days! The doghouse is still inside, but you can't see it for the tarp. I put the tarp up for extra shade since they are no longer allowed on the front porch due to some messy poop issues. It also helps keep their litter dry so I don't have to change is as often.

Here is another view of the night pen. You can see the missing boards from this angle.

Here is the view of the pen from below.

We are making some changes to the pond. We ran a drain pipe from the garage rain gutters, through a filter box and then underground into the pond. On the lower side is a drainage slope for overflow. We got a filter & pump too. We put plastic with sand on top all around so they can't dig into the mud anymore, and added some large river rocks too. We plan to use the rainwater drainage and the filter to keep the water from getting stagnant, and hopefully stay cleaner longer. I also got a natural cleanser made from barley straw. The overflow drains into the garden.

Here they are heading to their garden dunking bucket! They can run amazingly fast when motivated.

Here is pretty Juno at the dunking bucket! Her feathers are gorgeous!

Here is pretty little Ariel at the dunking bucket! I think female Mallards are among the most beautiful of all duck breeds.

Here is a better shot of Ariel showing her blue speculum feathers. They are so shiny and appear to be all shades of blue from turquoise to purple depending on how the light strikes them.

Here is a good shot of Juno. I can't believe how big they both are! It seems like only yesterday they were tiny little balls of fluff & bill!

I haven't updated my blog in a while because I've been so busy, but really not a whole lot has changed. The girls have slowed on their growth since moving outside, which is probably healthier for them. They are still on the Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance diet supplemented with whole oats and corn or scratch when it gets below 40 degrees. I get a three grain scratch made of corn, milo, and wheat that is milled locally so its nice and fresh. It is also available in smaller amounts, which is nice with only two birds! I store it and the corn in feed sacks placed inside plastic buckets with airtight lids. I keep the excess feed in a larger rubbermaid bin that we added door sealer to so it is more airtight. I measure out about 5lbs at a time that I keep in a smaller bucket in the house to minimize the amount of times I have to open the larger bin, which I keep in the cool darkness of the basement along with the buckets of corn and scratch. It won't be too much longer before they are old enough for a layer feed. Hard to imagine!

The night pen has gotten an upgrade that I'm sure the neighbors appreciate; a privacy fence! It looks much nicer now and the girls seem to feel safer in it too. They usually lay under the tarp for shade during the day and get more active in the early morning and evening. They go into it on their own each night and wait for me to lock their door. They are very smart!