Dusky Feathers Waterfowl

Saxony girls in the morning sun! Finally snowed a bit and the temp is cool enough that the mud is...er...not so...um...muddy!

The girl ducks enjoying they're fresh morning water. I finally was organized enough to separate the girls and the boys early this winter. As soon as breeding season starts I'll have clean ducks ready for the perfect drake! (It can take a month or more for random drake matings to clear out of a female if you want ducklings from a specific dad!!)

Here's something I've been meaning to show off...this is a duckling brooder tractor! I made two prototypes to trial next spring. The idea is that I can raise ducklings outside on grass (rather than in the mucky poop mess that results from usual confined brooders) while at the same time keeping them safe and warm. I purposely put a board near the bottom so any duckling resting at the edge can't be pulled thru the wire and eaten by nimble fingered predators (something that has... happened in the past!) The roofed area has a floor so I can move the tractor while the ducklings are in the house eliminating any danger of them getting caught under the edge while its moving. Also I can lock them into the house for the night and not worry about predators digging under to reach them. Can't wait to use these in the spring!

Some of the Rouens I bought this summer! Can't wait for my first hatching season with these guys! #rouenducks #manitobawaterfowl