We currently have 11 grown ducks of mixed breeds and 13 ducklings hatched September 17th, 2010. There were 19 eggs in all, 16 hatched and I lost 3 the second week to accident. They will be 7 weeks old Friday. And are all growing nicely.
Ducks are fun! Pretty, smart, and hungry!!!!
I use the ducks currently to herd with and I enjoy looking at them especially when they are on the pond.
My dogs Amarillo and BOO were raised with ducks from a very young age, 12 weeks and 4 weeks. They are very easy and careful when they are moving the ducks from place to place. Three nights ago the ducklings escaped their night time pen and got in the alley way where BOO and Amarillo have run at night to protect the sheep and the ducks from predators . The dogs have a pen beside the sheep and I thought it best to give them more room to patrol at night in case a wily fox or coyote came for a snack and realized my girls could not defend their stock. So I leave their gate open to the alley way.
About 2:00 AM I heard Amarillo and BOO barking but it was a bark I did not recognize. They have different barks and I can tell if there is a reason to come with the gun or go back to sleep. Off and on all night I could hear that odd bark.
At first light I went down and I could see Amarillo in the alleyway walking around and BOO in the pen asleep. I was as quiet as possible and then I saw it the 6 week old ducks were out, and one of them was in the bed with BOO!!
Now that duck had some slobber on it but not a feather was out of place nor harmed! I can tell you that duck was happy to be picked up and put back in the pen! Amarillo and BOO know that those ducks are theirs and are under their care, they are real honest and trustworthy dogs!
Tonight, Drover wanted to help put the ducks up in the pens (he all ways does) but we take turns. He was easy and knew exactly what I wanted him to do. And the cool thing is Drover’s style of herding is driving! Boy did I name him right!?! He went down the alley and got behind the ducks and brought them right to me and into the pens.Again Drover was easy and careful not to push or step on and he never opened his mouth to bite or bark. He watches intently from outside the pens when he is not working and figures out what I want and need, then when its his turn with some direction he does it!!! English Shepherds are truly amazing dogs!!!
