| How to Train Ducks Posted: 12 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST It may come as a surprise, but ducks are actually quite trainable. With the right motivation and a little patience, you can teach your pet ducks to free range and return to their pens on their own, become comfortable being petted and held, and even respond to their names. The key is to get them used to certain conditioning techniques little by little until they begin adapting to them. EditEncouraging Your Ducks to Free Range - Keep new ducks confined to their pen for one week. When you first bring a litter of ducklings home, get them situated in their pen and let them spend most of their time there. This will give them a chance to get familiar with their new surroundings. Before long, they'll begin to identify the pen as a safe shelter to return to.[1]
- Make sure the pen you have set up is large enough to comfortably house all of the ducks you're keeping. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 4 square feet (about 0.37 square meters) of space per animal.[2]
- It's also possible to train adult ducks to free range, although it may take them a little longer to catch on.
- Make your ducks' pen as comfortable as possible. Cover the floor with a thick layer of grass or straw to give your ducks a cozy place to nestle. Set out containers for a quality duck feed and fresh, clean water and keep them well-stocked. They should have all of their basic needs met the entire time they're restricted to their pen.[3]
- Newborn chicks and growing ducklings may benefit from having a space heater or heat lamp positioned nearby during the colder months of the year.
- Be sure to clean out any messes your ducks happen to make on a daily basis so they aren't cooped up with their own filth.[4]
- Start leaving the door of the pen open after a week. Following the initial acclimation period, allow your ducks to come and go as they please. They may be somewhat reluctant to leave at first. With time, however, they'll get over their fear and take more of an interest in the world outside.[5]
- Don't try to force your ducks out of their pen. They'll make their way out on their own when they're ready.
- Young ducks are typically more willing to venture out of their pen when there are other adult ducks outside. If you don't own any other ducks, a handful of mealworms will usually do the trick.
- Usher your ducks back into their pen at night. More often than not, they'll instinctively return to shelter once dusk arrives, but if they seem confused or inattentive, they may need a little guidance. Use a long stick or pole to calmly direct your ducks back towards the opening of the pen. Once they're inside, leave the door open so they can begin getting used to coming and going as they please.[6]
- Don't use your herding tool to physically move the ducks. Doing so could hurt them or send them into a frightened frenzy.
- Ducks have a tendency to group up and follow one another, so they shouldn't need too much coaxing.
- Repeat this routine for as long as needed. Turn your ducks loose to wander freely during the day and corral them back into their pen come nightfall. They'll catch on after a couple weeks. After that, it may not be necessary to ever close them up again!
- Even if you decide to train your ducks to free range, it's a good idea to keep them shut up within in a large enclosure to prevent them from getting lost or nabbed by predators in the area.[7]
- Allowing your ducks to roam is good for them. It gives them some much-needed exercise, keeps them well-fed, and helps control populations of common pests like beetles and slugs.
EditHand Training Your Ducks - Grab a handful of treats. Sprinkle some live mealworms or a few pieces of shredded romaine lettuce into the palm of your hand. You'll use these treats to entice your ducks into coming close enough to touch.[8]
- Ducks also love to nibble on fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and whole grains. Seeds, berries, beans, corn, and leafy greens are among their favorites.
- Contrary to popular belief, ducks should never be fed bread products (such as sliced bread, bread crumbs, or crackers). Starchy, nutrient-poor foods can be bad for their health.[9]
- Produce items like onions, nuts, and citrus should also be avoided, as they can be hard for ducks to digest or present a possible choking hazard.
- Pet your ducks gently while they eat out of your hand. As the ducks come closer to investigate the treats, hold out your other hand slowly and use it to stroke or tickle their heads. They'll be so focused on the food that they won't consciously register being touched. However, some light petting will calm their nerves and prime them for more prolonged contact in the future.[10]
- Don't reach for your ducks too quickly or forcefully—since they're natural prey animals, this will more than likely scare them away. Instead, let them come to you.
- It's important to handle ducks with care, especially when they're young.
- Work your way up to picking up your ducks. When one of your ducks comes within grabbing range, place a hand over either of its wings and lift it gently from above. Be sure to keep one arm underneath the duck's body to support its weight and keep its legs secured. Speak soothingly to it and release it after a few short moments.[11]
- Ducks typically tolerate being petted pretty well, but it may take them a while to warm up to being held. Try petting them with both hands or coaxing them into your lap with treats first.
- If your ducks don't want to be held, let them go. Seizing them by force will only teach them to panic when picked up.
- Hold your ducks for longer periods of time. Eventually, your ducks will become so used to being touched that they'll no longer be skittish when they see your reaching out for them. You'll then be able to pick them up to clean them, corral them, or just to show them some affection.[12]
- Ducks are usually very calm when held like a small dog or cat.[13]
EditGetting a Duck to Respond to Its Name - Name your duck. Before you can teach it to react to its name, it needs to have one. Pick out one of your favorite names for your duck based on its sex, or come up with names that have a more playful ring to them, such as "Mother Goose" or "Quack Nicholson."[14]
- You can also assign a name to your duck based on its physical characteristics. For instance, you might name a solid white bird "Snowflake," while an especially small one could be called "Peanut."
- Be creative and don't be afraid to get a little silly. Ducks can be fun pets, too!
- Call your duck by its name as often as possible. Get in the habit of using your duck's name anytime you're interacting with it. This could be while you're feeding, petting, bathing, or leading it back to its pen at the end of the day. Be sure to address it in a clear tone of voice so it knows you're talking to it.[15]
- If you have multiple ducks, you might have success teaching them to respond to different names by using a certain name whenever you're interacting with them one-on-one.
- Feel free to repeat your duck's name as frequently as you want. Even if it doesn't understand what you're saying, the sound of your voice can be very relaxing for it.
- Ducks are quick learners. The more often you refer to them by name, the faster they'll come to associate that name with a particular stimulus like food.
- Try calling your duck to you. Every so often, stand at a distance from your duck and say its name in a clear voice. After hearing it enough times, there's a good chance it will recognize the sound and come to you. If it doesn't, it may be in need of further conditioning.
- With consistent training, your duck will gradually begin to pick up on its name the way chickens and other farm birds do.
- Ducks are social creatures, and tend to be much happier (and therefore more agreeable) when they have at least 1 or 2 other friends nearby.
- Make time to hold your ducks for a few minutes every day to ensure that they stay accustomed to being handled.
- When provided with a reliable shelter, domesticated ducks no longer feel the instinctive urge to migrate south for the winter, which means you won't have to worry about them flying away when temperature outside starts to drop.
EditThings You'll Need - Mealworms or other live feed (for treats)
- Long stick or pole
- Grass or straw
- Feed and water containers
- High-quality duck feed
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard Posted: 11 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST If you don't clean it regularly, your laptop keyboard can get pretty grimy over time. Oils from your fingers can create a residue on the tops of the keys, and crumbs, dust, and pet hair can build up in the crevices on the keyboard. If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your keyboard, don't worry! It's easy to clean it out yourself. There are even steps you can take to minimize the damage if you spill a drink on your keyboard! EditDoing a Basic Keyboard Cleaning - Turn off and unplug your laptop before you do any cleaning. Even though you won't be putting liquids directly onto your laptop, you should turn the power off completely to make sure nothing gets damaged if a little moisture does get inside. Shut the laptop down through the Power Options menu, then remove the power cord.[1]
- In addition to protecting you from shock, turning off the power means you won't accidentally send a garbled email to your boss!
- Tilt the laptop upside down and gently tap or shake it. This will dislodge any big dust bunnies, crumbs, or other debris that's hiding in your keyboard crevices. By getting the big stuff out first, it will be easier to do more detailed cleaning later on.[2]
- Spray between the keys with compressed air to remove dust. Make sure the straw is attached to the can of compressed air before you use it. Tilt the keyboard to one side and spray between the keys in short bursts, moving from one side of the keyboard to the other. The force of the air will dislodge any debris that's trapped between and beneath the keys.[3]
- You can find compressed air at stores that sell home and office supplies.
- Never spray the compressed air while you're holding the can upside down, as this can cause propellant to get into the keyboard, damaging the components inside.
- Wipe down the keys with a damp microfiber cloth. Microfiber is great at attracting dust, so a quick swipe over the keys can help remove some of the grime that has built up on your keyboard. If you need to, you can lightly dampen the cloth with a little water, but be sure to wring it out completely and only clean the tops of the keys so you don't get moisture inside of the laptop.[4]
- Remove stubborn grime with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol evaporates quickly, making it a safer alternative to using water on your laptop. In addition, alcohol is especially good at removing the oily residue left by your fingers. Just be sure to always apply the alcohol to the cotton ball first, and never pour it directly onto the keyboard.[5]
- Kill germs by wiping down the keys with a disinfecting wipe. If you're concerned about germs, like after you've gotten over a cold or if you're using a shared computer, you can run a disinfecting wipe over the surface of the keys. However, do not use wipes with bleach in them, as these can damage the protective coating on the keys.[6]
EditRemoving the Keys - Search for your laptop model online to find out if the keys come off. On some laptop models, the keycaps can be gently pried off, giving you access to the surface beneath the keys. However, the keycaps on some laptops are permanently attached. Do an online search to determine if, and how, the keys can be removed.
- Remove the keys only if you really need to clean underneath them. Even if they're removable, keycaps are held in place by small plastic tabs that can break easily. To avoid damaging your keyboard, you should avoid removing your keys unless your keyboard is especially grimy.[7]
- Take a picture of the keys before you remove them. This will ensure you don't forget where the keys go when it's time to put them back! While it might be easy to remember the order of the number and letter keys, your keyboard likely has special characters and function keys, and it can be easy to get these confused.[8]
- Pry off the keys with a small, flat tool. Slip the edge of the tool beneath the bottom of the key and gently pry upwards. The keycap should pop off easily. If it doesn't, don't force it, or you might permanently damage your keyboard.[9]
- Be sure to place the keycaps in a shallow bowl or another container so you don't accidentally lose them.
- You can purchase a toolkit from an electronics supply store that comes equipped with small plastic or metal pieces that are perfect for slipping beneath your laptop keys. If you don't have one of these, you can use a flathead screwdriver, a butterknife, or even your fingernail.
- Wipe beneath the keys with a microfiber cloth or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Since the inner workings of your laptop will be more exposed without the keycap in place, avoid using any liquid to clean under your keys. If you do have to tackle a sticky mess, dip a cotton swab in a little rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe away the spot.[10]
- Replace the keycaps. Place each keycap over its designated space, making sure the sides are properly aligned. Starting with the bottom edge, gently press the key down until you feel it pop into place.
EditCleaning a Liquid Spill - Turn off the power to your laptop and remove the battery immediately. Disconnect the power cord right away and hold down the power button until your laptop goes off. If liquid touches the electrical components inside of your computer, it can be permanently damaged. By working quickly, you'll help minimize the risk of electrical damage.[11]
- If the laptop starts to smoke or steam, or you see bubbling or bulging, don't touch it. You could be seriously burned or suffer an electrical shock.[12]
- Even if you get the laptop dry, residue from sugary, acidic, or alcoholic drinks may still be present, and that residue may affect the functionality of your keyboard in the future.
- Turn the laptop upside down over a towel. Open the laptop as wide as you can, turn it face down, and set it on top of a towel or another absorbent material. By flipping the laptop over, you are allowing gravity to pull the moisture away from the motherboard and other electrical components.[13]
- Blot away as much of the liquid as you can right away. If you have a microfiber or lint-free cloth on hand, use that to dry the laptop. However, you're racing against time, so if you don't have one of those handy, just grab whatever is closest to you, whether that's a dish towel, paper towels, or even an old T-shirt. Dry any liquid that you can see on the surface of the laptop.[14]
- Leave your laptop propped up to dry for 1-2 days. There's no way to rush this process. Even if the laptop looks dry from the outside, moisture could be trapped inside. To be safe, give the keyboard a minimum of 24 hours to dry before you try to turn it on again.[15]
- Take your laptop for professional cleaning if the liquid was sugary. If you splashed a little water into the keyboard, you're probably fine, but if you spilled a large, sugary drink and it's an expensive laptop, consider having a professional break down your laptop and clean inside. Professional cleaning can run upward of $500, but it can be worth it if you have a lot of money invested in your laptop.[16]
- If you're familiar with electronics, you can take it apart yourself and clean inside, but some laptops can only be dismantled with special tools that you might not have on hand.
- Replace the battery and turn on the laptop once it's dried completely. This will be the moment of truth. If your laptop doesn't work at all, give it another 24 hours to dry out. If your operating system boots up but the keyboard doesn't work, you can replace the keyboard or use a USB keyboard.[17]
- Try running a sticky note between the keys of your keyboard to collect crumbs and dust.
- If you use water to clean your keys, be sure to put the water onto the cloth or cleaning tool, and never pour it directly onto the keyboard.
- Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your laptop, or you could remove the coating that keeps the letters on your keys from fading.
- Be safe! If you spill liquid in your laptop and you see or smell anything burning, or you feel heat, stay clear of the device.[18]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Find Cat Urine With a UV Light Posted: 11 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST The smell of cat urine is strong and unpleasant, but the stains can sometimes be hard to find! Luckily, you don't have to rely on your nose alone to help you find the source of the odor. Instead, try using a UV light, also known as a black light. If you shine the light in a dark room, cat urine will glow yellow or green, making it easy to see exactly where you need to clean. Once you find the spot, neutralize the urine with an enzyme cleaner! EditLocating the Urine - Purchase or borrow a UV light between 365-385 nm. For the best results, look for a handheld LED light with 9-12 bulbs. It should be rated between 365-385 nm, which stands for nanometers. A lower rating won't be strong enough to light up the cat urine, and a higher rating is too similar to natural light to have an effect.[1]
- You can find these lights online or at a local home improvement store.
- You can also find UV lights with fluorescent bulbs. As long as it's rated between 365-385 nm, this will work as well, although the LED lights tend to be stronger.
- Wait until evening and get the room as dark as possible. While you could try to draw all the curtains in the room as tightly as possible, it will be easier to wait until it gets dark outside before you try to use the UV light. When you're ready to start looking, turn off the lights in the room, as well as the lights in any adjacent rooms or hallways.[2]
- If the room isn't dark enough, your eyes won't be able to detect the glowing urine.
- Go to the area where you suspect the urine is located and turn on the UV light. Typically, the urine spot will be somewhere in the area where you can smell it, although sometimes you'll have to look around a little before you find it. To make the search more efficient, start searching near where you think the cat may have urinated, then work outward.[3]
- Look for a glowing yellow or neon green spot. When the UV light comes into contact with the urine, it should start to glow. Depending on how much urine there was, and where it is located, the stain may look like a spot, puddle, splatter, or drips.[4]
- For example, if your male cat sprayed to mark his territory on the wall, it may look like a splatter, with a few drips running down the wall. If the cat peed on the floor, you might just see a large round-ish spot.
- Some cleaning products and other household materials, including wallpaper glue, may glow under a blacklight, so don't panic if your whole room lights up when you turn on the UV light.
- Other substances, including some bodily fluids and tonic water, may also glow. Use the location, size, shape, and smell of the spots to determine if it's cat urine.[5]
- Sweep the light back and forth, checking various surfaces. Cats may sometimes urinate on a variety of different surfaces, so don't just check the floor. Slowly move the light from side to side, checking along the walls and door frames, on top of and on the sides of furniture, and on any bedding in the area.[6]
- If you don't spot the stain right away, slowly move outward from the source of the odor.
- Mark the edges of the stain so you'll know where to find it. It can be hard to remember exactly the size and shape of the stain when the lights come back on. To ensure you know exactly where you're supposed to clean, use something like tape or chalk to mark a perimeter around the stain.[7]
- It's a good idea to clean further outside of the stain than what you can actually see, in case the stain soaked in and spread out, so don't worry about perfectly defining the edges. Just make a small mark at the top, bottom, and sides of the stain so you'll remember where it was.
EditCleaning the Spot - Try to find and clean the stain as soon as you can. It's not always possible, but the sooner you can get the stain clean, the better your results will be. If you smell cat urine and you can't find the stain during the daylight hours, try to use the UV light to locate the spot that same evening.[8]
- Cat urine will smell stronger as it breaks down. It will also be harder to clean once it's set in.
- Saturate the stain with soapy water if it's possible. If the stain is somewhere that's safe to get wet, like your carpet, mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, then blot the water over the entire stain. Leave it there for about an hour. This will help to loosen the crystals from the cat urine.[9]
- Blot away the stain with a damp cloth. Once the soapy water has had enough time to penetrate the stain, blot at the area with a damp, clean cloth. Work from the outside in to avoid spreading the cat urine out past its original spot.[10]
- If you're trying to clean something that can't get wet, like leather or wood, skip soaking the area and just blot away as much of the stain as you can with the damp cloth. Let the area dry completely.
- Spray the area with an enzyme cleaner and let it sit for 20 minutes. There are a number of different cleaning products available on the market for use around the home, but to completely neutralize the urine, you'll need an enzyme cleaner. Saturate the area completely, remembering to apply the cleaner beyond the edges of the stain in case it spread as it soaked in. Directions may vary, but typically these sprays don't need to be wiped away.[11]
- You can find enzymatic cleaners at pet supply or home improvement stores, or you can even make your own if you want to.
- Be sure to read the directions on the product you're using to make sure it's safe for the surface you need to clean. You may also want to spray a little of the cleaner on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won't damage the finish of whatever you're cleaning. Enzyme cleaners are typically gentle compared to other cleaning products.
- You can find powdered enzyme cleaners if the item you're cleaning can't get wet.
EditThings You'll Need - Blacklight
- Damp cloth
- Dish soap
- Water
- Bowl or bucket
- Enzyme cleaner
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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