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Post by hazelrunmama on May 6, 2015 12:56:46 GMT -5
I think they've already decided your menu is the best in the neighborhood!!
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Post by BarbK on May 7, 2015 23:16:07 GMT -5
Downylover, loved your seeing the ducks in your back yard. I've had them visit my back yard for the first time a year or two ago. A male and female. He followed her all around the yard and even watched her eat the seed on the ground. He ate, too, but not as much as the female. Like you, it was such a treat for me. Then she walked to the fence, flew over it and landed in my neighbor's pool. Of course, he followed. They came back for a few days--ate seed and went for a swim. I didn't mention it to my neighbor but figured she and her husband noticed. Well they did, because the next thing I saw was a fake swan floating around, and that was the end of the ducks' visits.
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Post by downylover on May 8, 2015 9:05:55 GMT -5
Downylover, loved your seeing the ducks in your back yard. I've had them visit my back yard for the first time a year or two ago. A male and female. He followed her all around the yard and even watched her eat the seed on the ground. He ate, too, but not as much as the female. Like you, it was such a treat for me. Then she walked to the fence, flew over it and landed in my neighbor's pool. Of course, he followed. They came back for a few days--ate seed and went for a swim. I didn't mention it to my neighbor but figured she and her husband noticed. Well they did, because the next thing I saw was a fake swan floating around, and that was the end of the ducks' visits. I thought maybe someone nearby has a small manmade pond in their yard but they could have gone to someone's pool if they opened it this early. Pffft, fake swan. I'd love to have a pair of ducks pop in for a swim if I had a pool. It was the same here - she ate first and he stood back then ate. He also followed her as she moved around the yard. They haven't been back for the past 2 days so I don't think they will be back. I loved seeing them but I'd rather they be somewhere right near a pond to build their nest and have their babies. I will gladly take a visit next year!
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Post by downylover on May 8, 2015 20:39:14 GMT -5
I didn't get corn and they didn't return for 2 days. Tonight I looked out and there they were waddling all around. I'd love to know where they are staying.
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Post by naturelover on May 9, 2015 7:58:00 GMT -5
Pffft, fake swan. I'd love to have a pair of ducks pop in for a swim if I had a pool. Kim, duck poop in the people pool isn't cool! In fact it's really gross and can also mess up the chemical balance. I empathize with the neighbors. A small pool of their own for the ducks works well though! You might consider it - you could have them in your yard, feed them, watch them raise babies, etc. Loads of fun!
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Post by hazelrunmama on May 9, 2015 14:32:29 GMT -5
Oh, ya! There ya go, Kim! A pool! So neat that they're hanging around!
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Post by downylover on May 9, 2015 22:56:34 GMT -5
Pffft, fake swan. I'd love to have a pair of ducks pop in for a swim if I had a pool. Kim, duck poop in the people pool isn't cool! In fact it's really gross and can also mess up the chemical balance. I empathize with the neighbors. A small pool of their own for the ducks works well though! You might consider it - you could have them in your yard, feed them, watch them raise babies, etc. Loads of fun! Clearly I didn't think it through, lol. I didn't see them today. I wish I knew where they were hanging out to see if they're still around here.
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Post by downylover on May 9, 2015 22:59:35 GMT -5
Oh, ya! There ya go, Kim! A pool! So neat that they're hanging around! More I would be worrying about having the right food for. I have seed, peanuts for the jays, squirrels & chipmunk, catbird food, peanuts with no shell for cardinals, chickdees, titmice, grapes for cardinals,catbirds,mockingbirds, suet/peanuts for the woodpeckers. I'm going to need a sled/wagon like hazel soon! Bunnies. I want more bunnies. They mainly eat the grass and leaves and play and hop around.
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Post by naturelover on May 10, 2015 10:28:15 GMT -5
I'm going to need a sled/wagon like hazel soon! LOL!!! We probably all need something on wheels for our stuff! I've never known anyone to want more bunnies. They eat plants - food plants & decorative ones. But, if you don't mind that, bunnies are cute & sweet. I like them too! I'd rather the bunnies than chipmunks that are making holes & tunnels all over the place here. But I have to admit, they're cute too!!!
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Post by hazelrunmama on May 11, 2015 12:16:59 GMT -5
You can have my bunnies! If they stay here, Brier is likely to eat them.
What would one offer a duck that would be healthful for it to eat? Just corn?
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Post by downylover on May 11, 2015 18:20:07 GMT -5
I don't know what to feed ducks. I'm going to be looking it up tonight. Mr. Duckie flew in by himself tonight. He ate bread and seed, drank at the fountain and soaked his feet in the bird bath (he just stood there, it was cute). I'm guessing that Mrs. Duckie must be on a nest somewhere nearby. Now with the possibility of returning and them potentially feeding babies I feel very obligated to find healthy food. I never expected to see them this much and every time they came by I thought it would be the last. Worst case: I buy the food and they don't return. I can always go feed the ducks somewhere else or put out tiny bits of it for the squirrels (I am afraid to put out too much corn, I don't want undesirable critters). Edited: Found this articleFrozen peas, corn, some greens are so easy. I can keep a container in the fridge and put out small amounts for him then just sweep it up if he doesn't come by. I'm leaning towards that instead of cracked corn because I don't think 1000 grackles will show up to eat that.
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Post by downylover on May 11, 2015 18:21:28 GMT -5
You can have my bunnies! If they stay here, Brier is likely to eat them. What would one offer a duck that would be healthful for it to eat? Just corn? Yes, send me the bunnies! I've loved bunnies ever since I was a little kid.
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Post by hazelrunmama on May 12, 2015 13:54:25 GMT -5
Edited: Found this articleFrozen peas, corn, some greens are so easy. I can keep a container in the fridge and put out small amounts for him then just sweep it up if he doesn't come by. I'm leaning towards that instead of cracked corn because I don't think 1000 grackles will show up to eat that. And oats! I'm surprised they'd eat them! I think you're right about the 1000 grackles! I do hope the hen is on a nest somewhere nearby! How cool would it be for the family to come calling after the eggs have hatched! (And I'll see what I can do about the bunnies! LOL)
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Post by naturelover on May 12, 2015 16:21:07 GMT -5
I'll bet you can get the ducks to eat from your hand. I used to really love hand-feeding them. Then there's nothing to clean up afterward either. LOL!
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Post by downylover on May 12, 2015 19:27:03 GMT -5
I'll bet you can get the ducks to eat from your hand. I used to really love hand-feeding them. Then there's nothing to clean up afterward either. LOL! He's not that friendly. I sat out waiting for him and of course he shows after I go inside, just before it got dark. He waddled in the other direction when I put some food for him but came back after I moved far enough away. I put out some peas and corn for him & there was some seed on the ground from earlier. Tomorrow I am going to put it in a plastic dish under the feeder where he goes when I go inside. I can just run out and get it when it gets dark. Do you really think ducklings will come by?!!! I assumed they would all head off to a pond or somewhere once they grew. If ducklings show it will be summer made instead of day made
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