I'm jumping in a bit late here.
My reason for wanting to neuter has nothing to do with aggressiveness (or at least not at the moment) Rather my hatchery bred fellow is far from the breed ideal. The one hen isn't really either, while the littlest is as nice as I can imagine a hatchery duck to be. I don't want his GENES pure and simple. I was thinking I would experiment with training him to be a visiting duck for nursing homes and such (the old folks would really get a kick from ducky diapers) and he would have a purpose. So far they are not sexually mature and I don't know how he will be in when if comes to agression. If I did find him a new home it would be only a small flock/backyard situation with the promise that he comes back if he doesn't work out. So many horror stories about chickens or ducks going to a "good home" just to end up in someone's freezer. At least in this area.
20 years ago I had a small flock of some of Holdenreeds 360+ egg stock and while they were not show ducks either, they were a nice bunch. I don't know if I can get any more of that line has they have gone to heritage breeds and non private sales (I'm not sure how that works)
These ducks have given me so much fun watching.
My reason for wanting to neuter has nothing to do with aggressiveness (or at least not at the moment) Rather my hatchery bred fellow is far from the breed ideal. The one hen isn't really either, while the littlest is as nice as I can imagine a hatchery duck to be. I don't want his GENES pure and simple. I was thinking I would experiment with training him to be a visiting duck for nursing homes and such (the old folks would really get a kick from ducky diapers) and he would have a purpose. So far they are not sexually mature and I don't know how he will be in when if comes to agression. If I did find him a new home it would be only a small flock/backyard situation with the promise that he comes back if he doesn't work out. So many horror stories about chickens or ducks going to a "good home" just to end up in someone's freezer. At least in this area.
20 years ago I had a small flock of some of Holdenreeds 360+ egg stock and while they were not show ducks either, they were a nice bunch. I don't know if I can get any more of that line has they have gone to heritage breeds and non private sales (I'm not sure how that works)
These ducks have given me so much fun watching.
They have plenty of coops and a HUGE pond. They plan on getting them some lady friends so they can raise and sell ducklings. I honestly believe they will be much happier there. My boy Ferd was miserable living seperated from everyone else. He is happy now that it is just him and some other boys as friends. They are spoiled by the owners little boy as he loves to give them treats.
