The Ancona ducklings and Guinea fowl have been here for a week and have been moved around in a large chicken tractor. Today, I decided to see how they did on their own in the farm yard. There are many ducks, geese, and chickens foraging in the yard, and the more adventurous birds, like the Ameraucanas and Bantam Ameraucana/Polish crosses venture out quite far, even to the bush. We do have a fox that comes by, but so far, the losses have been none. I though I lost the three bantam hens, but two have broods and the third is also sitting on a nest.
The Ancona ducks were bullied by the Saxony ducks, which really surprised me because the Saxony ducks are the most docile in the yard normally. Most of the other birds ignored them as they explored the new areas. In the evening, when it was time to herd them back to the tractor, I could not find them. They were at a different tractor, an unoccupied one as it turned out and I simply herded them inside and closed the door. The guineas went into the Ameraucana tractor and did not want to stay. They ended up not perching with the chickens, but sleeping huddled on the ground. The Anconas were happy with the new tractor because the grass inside was lush and green and they love grass. I will keep them in their for a few days until they can find their way back on their own. It is a nice safe place for them. The Guineas may join them because they did bond with the ducks as tractor mates for a week or so. Stay posted for the next chapter on the Anconas.
The Ancona ducks were bullied by the Saxony ducks, which really surprised me because the Saxony ducks are the most docile in the yard normally. Most of the other birds ignored them as they explored the new areas. In the evening, when it was time to herd them back to the tractor, I could not find them. They were at a different tractor, an unoccupied one as it turned out and I simply herded them inside and closed the door. The guineas went into the Ameraucana tractor and did not want to stay. They ended up not perching with the chickens, but sleeping huddled on the ground. The Anconas were happy with the new tractor because the grass inside was lush and green and they love grass. I will keep them in their for a few days until they can find their way back on their own. It is a nice safe place for them. The Guineas may join them because they did bond with the ducks as tractor mates for a week or so. Stay posted for the next chapter on the Anconas.
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