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In This Issue...

	Season's Greetings!
	Where Are They Now: You Let Us Know!
	Does your barn need heating in Winter?
	A great Holiday gift idea
	Get to know your predators: Raccoon
	All about Embden Geese
	Recommended Reading: Duck Skates
	Reader Poll #12

A Great Holiday Gift Idea The holidays are upon us, and our sponsorship package (pictured below) is a great idea for the waterfowl lover in your family! Sponsors receive a certificate, a welcome letter, a post card, a canvas painted by a Majestic resident, and the recipient’s name is listed on our Sponsorship Hall of Fame web page along with a brief message. [Sponsor Information] Get to Know Your Predators: The Raccoon Raccoons are found throughout the U.S., but prefer lower elevations. They weigh an average of 30 pounds. Raccoons are omnivores and their diet includes fish, frogs, crayfish, waterfowl, poultry, eggs, fruits, nuts, berries, grains, small mammals and insects. Although raccoons are primarily active after nightfall, they have been known to have periods of activity during the day as well. A raccoon's primary activity is searching for food and water, so try to keep easily accessible food items out of their reach (i.e. bird seed, grain, garbage, etc) to avoid luring them into your yard. Raccoons are attracted to waterfowl food and the birds themselves. They are extremely good problem solvers and excellent lock-picks. Never underestimate the dexterity of raccoon fingers. Be advised against using hook and eye or sliding latches, which they can easily open. Raccoons are capable of tearing and biting through aviary netting and poultry fencing to get at your waterfowl, so be sure your predator barrier/fencing choices are up to par. Raccoons have been known to eat a duck right through the fencing if they can get their paws on any part of the bird, so night time lock ups are best. A raccoon attack may be evident by the remains left behind. They will bite off the duck or gooses head. If raccoons are proving a nuisance, an application of predator urine, available at your local garden store, may do the trick. Raccoons prefer to do their mischief under the cover of darkness whenever possible, so you may also try keeping problem areas brightly lit at night. Motion sensor lights can sometimes work as a deterrent. A dog is not necessarily a good deterrent for raccoons; often times, the dog will end up worse for the wear should a squabble break out. As with any wild animal, be extremely cautious of rabies when dealing with raccoons. They are known carriers. A REMINDER ABOUT RABIES… Whenever you are dealing with wild animals, be it the animal itself, or the remains of its kill, ALWAYS wear protective clothing. DO NOT touch wild animals or prey animals (either living or dead) with your bare skin. Thoroughly clean or discard any clothing or items that have touched the wild animal or prey animal. All about Embden Geese Embden geese originated by the Em River in Germany and were first brought to the U.S. in 1821. They have the same massive appearance as the Toulouse, combined with a pure white color and orange feet and bills. Embdens are most suitable for crossing with other breeds. They are reasonably good egg producers (up to 40 eggs per season); they are good sitters, early maturing and good foragers. Because feathers from Embdens are white, they are of greater value than feathers from other geese. Goslings can be sexed at day old with a reasonable degree of accuracy, as females have a darker down than males. After a few days, however, there is no difference in feather color. Head: Long and straight. The bill is short and stout at the base, the eyes bold and light blue and the neck long and swan-like. Body: Broad, thick and well rounded. The breast is round and the back long and straight. Legs are fairly short but strong, and the carriage upright. Color: Bill, legs and feet are bright orange, and the hard, tight plumage is pure glossy white. The Embden is a hardy goose with a big appetite and needs plenty of grazing space. It is alert and very wary, and gives the alarm at the slightest disturbance. Watch out Mr. Fox! Some of the information above was obtained from the following: www.agric.nsw.gov.au Recommended Reading* | Ordering information | Duck Skates By Lynne Berry Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata * For our full recommended reading list, click here. If you order from Amazon.com by way of our web site, Majestic receives a portion of the proceeds! Book Description Five ducks spend the day frolicking in the snow, then return home to cocoa and sleep. Their activities are described in clever, rhyming verses with one or two sentences per page that subtly present simple math concepts: Five ducks tramp. Ten boots stamp. Their antics often divide them into smaller groups. Three ducks slip down the hill and slide. Two ducks, stomping, tromp inside. When they skate past a sign that reads STOP! SNOW! they crash into a deep pile and begin a snowball fight. The illustrations follow the text exactly, allowing children to count the ducks engaged in each activity. The watercolor-and-ink pictures convey the playfulness in warm, cozy tones, and a surprising amount of expression is conveyed in simple lines. The steady rhythm makes this an appealing choice to read aloud, particularly one-on-one or with a small group. Reader Poll #12 Question: What is your favorite part of the Majestic Monthly newsletter? Health Articles Predator Articles "All About" Breed Articles "How To" Articles Updates on Ducks/Geese Featured Books Current Events/News Other Voting Has Closed. Please see next issue for results. Results of Reader Poll #11 What topics/subjects would you like to read about in future Majestic Monthly newsletters? Answer: Do we need to heat our barns in winter? (Read article in this newsletter to find out!) Contact Us Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary 17 Barker Road Lebanon, CT 06249 director@majesticwaterfowl.org Our Newsletter The Majestic Monthly is published 12 times per year. Back issues can be obtained online from our Newsletter Archives.

Where are They Now: You Let Us Know!

Dodger, Delia & Doris

Dodger, Delia, and Doris are still shy, but they talk to me when I come into the barn to let them outside. I love all animals, so I'm glad to be able to give these birds a home. Our geese were in a bad situation, too. They were given to me by a lady who kept them in a very small pen. They are much happier now. They all have a lot of room and a safe place to sleep in the barn at night. The geese tend to rule the roost, in that they get first pickings on the greens and treats. So I feed the ducks separately in their pen. But during the day the ducks steal food from the goose pen, so it all evens out.

Six Duckies to Kentucky

While at a golf course the week before Easter in 2003, we could not have imagined how much our life was going to change. We found a couple-day-old duckling, and decided to take her home. We knew nothing about ducks, but spent a lot of time on the internet learning everything we could...that's how we eventually came across Kim and Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, which led to adding six more wonderful ducks to our original Qwaka.

In January of this year we decided to adopt Fiona from Majestic because we thought that Qwaka could use some company. They were quick friends. Then, while keeping up with Kim and Majestic, we read the story about Joseph and we knew we wanted to give this sweet duck a home also. When I drove to Connecticut to pick up Joseph and saw what great friends he was with Jonah we decided, heck, what's the difference between three ducks or four? Jonah and Fiona recognized each other from Spaulding pond (where they were both rescued from) immediately! Qwaka wasn't too sure about boys, but it didn't take too long for her and Joseph to be inseparable!

Our "what's a few more" philosophy came into play in September with a visit from Kim, which resulted in a rescue on Waterford pond that brought us our darling three new girls, Sharona, Leona, and Dixie! They are all one big happy family and love their lives on Sideways Farm in Wilmore, Kentucky. And we couldn't be happier with our flock...they make our lives so much more full!

Dale (Formerly "Standish"): A Big Boy!

We thought Dale was the biggest drake we had every seen…well, you should see his kids! He hooked up with Joyce, a rescued Blue Swede hen, and they were right to name their son Godzilla! Dale is enjoying life in the lap of luxury. He has a roomy daytime run with kiddy pool and a safe night time lock up that he and his flock share. Dale and his family enjoy a daily treat of leaf lettuce and have even been known to play some soccer with the other ducks using the leftover lettuce core!

Melusine (Formerly "Lucky") & Jake the Drake

Jake and Mel are wonderful! I love to watch them swim and waddle around my back yard. They are enjoying our big backyard buffet of food, their kiddie pool and the adventures of the yard (it’s so big to them they have only explored half of it). They get to share the space with the dog and neither gets in each others way. They easily go into their cage at night and out in the morning, they come to us when we go outside. Mel is still getting used to us holding her, but Jake is a big picker-upper; he loves it!

Donald & Daisy

Donald and Daisy are doing great. They are beautiful birds, and we are having fun with them. They are getting along pretty well with the others (Wilma, Wellington, and Webster). We started digging another yard for the ducks! 7.5' X 16' I have a nice big fish pond and would like to put it in for them. I know they would love it.

Viggo, Liv, & Anna

The ducks enjoyed the pond by day in the summer—however shallow it became, and a cozy barn at night that they share with the guinea hens and chickens. Anna and Viggo join Daisy and Daffy venturing throughout the large yard in search of tasty morsels while Liv prefers to sunbathe by the side of the pond—never venturing far from the edge. She is capable of getting around quite well on foot and in the water, but prefers to relax pond-side most of the time. They spend most days out in the fresh air and willingly return to the comforts of the barn at night.

Talulah
	Talulah is very happy in her new home with her new flock of friends!
Abby & Amelia
	How about these spoiled ducks in a heart-shaped tub?! We love it! Both girls are doing great and enjoying their new home with their companion drake Ping
John
	John has fully integrated into his flock. Priscilla, his Pekin lady friend, is quite the flirt—courting both males, who have been quite cordial to each other, under the circumstances!

Clark Cluck, Petunia, & Violet
(Formerly Hewey, Dewey, & Lewey)

The beautiful trio are doing well, enjoying their new life and apparently enjoying their little pond as well!

Phebes

Look at the coloring on this beautiful Muscovy hen! Phebes came to us with pale white feet and bill. If you recall she came to us with the tip of her upper bill missing.

A few months after joining her new family and getting on a good diet, her feet turned yellow and her red mask appeared. Phebes shares her heated barn with indoor pond and her outdoor enclosure with her pal Joey.

Aflac

Since my rescue, I have enjoyed steady eats, great shelter, bathing facilities, and the companionship of three other ducks, as well as Shirley, our guardian goose. While Shirley is our guardian, I quickly appointed myself as leader of the pack! After eating breakfast, my friends and I will patiently pace back and forth at the gate. Finally, our owner will open the gate, and as I lead my friends out to the freedom of the yard, we all vocally express our heartfelt "thank you"! Once "on the loose" I generally take the lead and all ducks and a goose are on a treasure hunt!

A large country lawn may provide for the usual grass, bugs, and the like, but dessert consists of the scrumptious flowers lovingly planted by the owners. Because the owners believe in healthy eating, we are not allowed to indulge endlessly on flowers, leaving us to find other dietary delights. After our mid-morning nap and a swim, we huddle and I again motivate the gang, giving orders and leading them into temptation—my favorite being that of the wooded area at the edge of the lawn. This area is great in the summer, providing cool shade and numerous eating delights. However, once again our owner only allows this adventure to last for a limited time before we are lovingly escorted back to our swimming pool in the backyard.

Does Your Barn Need Heating in Winter?

For most regions of the U.S., the answer to this question is no. If you have some kind of wall insulation and a thick layer of bedding (at least 4 inches compacted) under their feet your ducks will be fine during colder temperatures. The more ducks and geese you have cuddling together, the warmer your flock will be.

Be wary of weather warnings in your area; during extreme cold (temps below freezing) you may need to periodically heat their enclosure with a space heater or heat lamp. Plug it in only while you are present and able to monitor its functioning—you can visit your feathered friends while it works. If your shelter is properly insulated and draft-free, the heater will take the chill out of the air. REMEMBER to turn the heater source off and unplug it before you leave. Availability of warm drinking water is always a nice way to keep your ducks warm from the inside on cold days.

Some sources will say a heated barn will disrupt or confuse waterfowl’s molting cycle, but since ducks survive without any difficulty or confusion in our lower, warmer states; we believe this is a myth. Ducks and geese always appreciate heat, but try to avoid using any heating devices while you are not present. If you have a heating system, be sure it is professionally installed and maintained to avoid fire hazards.

Remember, ducks still need to bathe in the winter to keep their feathers preened for good insulation. In extreme cold weather, be sure they get a chance to bathe at least 2-3 times a week for 10-15 minutes in a basin or tub.