Eggs Over Winter?

   The ducks are just approaching 20 weeks old.  They are on the cusp of egg-laying maturity.  We are eagerly awaiting our very first duck eggs.  New marsh hay has been laid out in the garden beds where they rest.  Fresh, clean shavings fill their coop.  And their solar light keeps them up and going longer than they normally would as the sun melts beyond the horizon by 6pm (soon to be 5pm thanks to Daylight Savings).  We're hoping the Cayugas will produce some black eggs before Spring.  Cayugas produce black eggs that eventually turn white as they mature.  Blue Swedish ducks lay white, blue, or grey eggs.  And the Buff Orpington duck will lay white, tinted eggs.  Snagging eggs before they freeze in our Wisconsin winter will become quite the game for the kids and I.
 

Duck on a Stump

Duck on a stump sums it up.  

Ducks & Rabbit in the Fall

The ducks were able to mingle with our rabbit, Rain Drop, on this fall afternoon.  The ducks were wary, hissed a little, waddled after her, but ultimately coincided well.  All five of these little animals are doing a great job cleaning up the garden bed (and fertilizing it, too).  

Rabbit meets ducks.  Both sides mutually curious and shy.  

Happy rabbit out for a run. 

Water from the rain barrel.  Once again, water is life for these birds. 

The Cayuga has really gotten in her beautiful purple/blue/green iridescent feathers.  Show off.  

When Predators Swoop In

Domestic, flightless waddling ducks are pretty helpless prey.  They may be big fluffy ducks, but a Cooper's Hawk has big, sharp talons.  It would be slightly unusual for this smaller hawk to go after the big ducks, but it is possible.  This hawk was really hunting sparrows this time, but the ducks would not come out from their coop corner while this predator was lurking about.  Even after the hawk was gone it took some serious coaxing to get them to come out to wander in the yard again. 

Hungry Hawk

Hiding Ducks

Duck in a Bucket

When you just need to take a bird bath, and the pool is closed for the season.  

Solar Power at Night

    We don't have access to electricity where the ducks' coop is.  So we installed a nice solar light that is operational via remote or via sensor.  It has elongated their day as the natural light from the sun wanes in these encroaching colder months.  Ducks cannot see in the dark, and the light has helped them stay out of their coop longer.  This will hopefully get us some eggs sooner than spring as they lay based on amount of light in a day.  The ducks are still locked up in their coop by 10pm to keep them safe from predators.  They scurry into their safe area at the sound of owls or shuffling in the brush.  They have great instincts to seek shelter as prey animals.  

Cayuga ducks napping under solar light.  Other two ducks nestled in coop.  

Ducks in a Fort

The ducks love the fort the kids play in.  Napping after a swim.