Diapering Indoor Duck, Best Breed? Advice?

[melissamerry]

Oooooooo that would be so much fun! My bf lives in Laguna so I'm down there often. How exciting! Ever taken your baby to the beach before?

 

[TMarie]

Melissamerry- you have given me a wealth of information! Thank you so much! First, thank you guys for referring me to DenverDuck. She has also been extremely helpful. I do have more questions for you, some that I am asking her too:

I just found out that ducks are not legal in my area. Indoor nor outdoor. I called the village hall and asked if they're allowed- "no." then I asked what would happen if I did it anyway. He said I would be given a citation, then fines would follow depending on how long I kept the duck. I do have a friend that loves animals as much as I. Her and her husband already said they would take over loving the duck if , Heaven forbid, it didn't work out for us. I know my neighbors won't have anything to say about it. They are very friendly and it wouldn't be bothering them any. My only concern would be the two cops that like to park in the parking lot across the street from our house. What if they saw us playing outside? As I was explaining to DenverDuck, I imagine I would like to take my son and our duck outside daily to play and maybe even have a little pool out there for them once summer comes. I've had ducks before and never had any problems, but I've never had them for the long haul. I'm starting to wonder if I should get a rouen, since they look like wild mallards and they could just think it's a wild duck in our yard lol. I mean, ducks can get pretty friendly when ppl feed them. And ducks do hang out in yards! So to a cop across the street, it might not look out of the ordinary the way a pekin or Cayuga would. I am open to all opinions on this please!

My other concern is that I want to take this duck places and share our precious little joy with others. I want to make it a therapy duck and take it to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools with kids that have disabilities. I imagine that would make us quite popular... which means more ppl will know and many ppl might ask questions such as, "is it actually legal for you to have a duck here?" How do I answer that? And what if people wanted to turn me in. Which leads me to my next question... How could I get the duck certified as a therapy duck? And would that make it legal to keep?

Last question: Is there a big difference between temperment between males and females? Melissamerry- you have me thinking a male might not be so bad. And if that's the case, then maybe I would just get a duck from a local breeder (who doesn't know how to sex them) rather than spend $60 at metzer farms on 2 ducks (when i only want 1) just to make sure it's a female.

Oh! And Melissamerry, I just realized something! Have your ducks begun to breed? I didn't even think about that before, since you have a male and 2 females. Also, what do you do with the eggs your ducks lay? Assuming they are not fertilized.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I have a Cayuga drake and he is not agressive at all. When alarmed he sometimes charges around quacking but never "goes after" anyone or anything. I think as long as they are not trying to show off for the ladies a male would be fine. It isn't like roosters.

 

[TMarie]

That's very encouraging. Not having to worry about whether I get a male or female will make this whole process easier and cheaper for me!

 

[starbird]

Hi. This is just my two cents, my opinion based on my experiences. Get two ducks. Two would not be much harder to care for than one. I realize someone would be with them most of the time, but if you have two they could keep each other company when you go out and stuff. A lonely duck is a very sad creature. At one point our male kicked one of the females out of the group and she was extremely lonely and depressed.

We got our ducks by mail from a hatchery, choosing breeds that had a tendency to be quiet. Our male can be a little turd sometimes. Locally we could only get pekins, which are too loud for where I live. I love the buff ducks, but welshies are my favorite.

Also, check the laws for yourself. Don't believe the government fool. Our local laws here regard chickens and there are no laws on ducks. Most local government officials know nothing and lie to cover their incompetence, so don't take their word for it.

I would love to let ours inside sometime, but the better half says no.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide. Having a therapy animal is very noble. You are a kind soul.

 

[DenverDucky]

Having just one duck would help with the imprinting part as two ducks may bond to each other but not to you. This is what has happened to others who have tried to have ducks after meeting my ducky. They don't understand that with the one on one bonding it has made her and I so close! She hasn't been exposed to other ducks so she really thinks she's human. Imprinting isn't for everyone since ducks can live over 10 years and can't be be released into the wild. There is a lot of commitment and time involved. The diapering becomes quick and routine and the duck will get used to standing and getting changed especially if started as a duckling. I'm glad I only have one right as now as her and I are so close and she's so loving and cuddly

 

[TMarie]

Thank you guys for all of the advice/opinions.

Starbird- "government fool" made me LAUGH! Because he was so rude! And I felt like he was completely brushing me off. Before I called, I checked for myself online and YOU'RE RIGHT! It says nothing about whether you're allowed to have ducks or not! That was why I called him, for clarification. But if there is nothing written, then I should be in the clear? Has anyone ever said anything to you? I talked to my husband about the "legal aspect" and the 2 cops that sit acrossed the street. He made a great point! He said if they cared, they probably would have said something to our neighbor with 6 barking dogs lol. She has twice the legal limit. Besides, our duck will only be outside when we go out to play. So it's not like I'm starting a farm in my yard.

I know what you mean about them being alone, I considered 2 ducks for the same reason. But I also agree with DenverDucky. The first time I ever had a pet duck, I only had one. The bond was amazing, we were inseperable. He constantly wanted to be in my lap, and he rode everywhere with me. But then I had to go back to school, so I bought him a friend, and the bond disappeared. He'd follow her instead of me. And she was older when I got her, so she wasn't a fan of me. She'd run from me and he'd follow her and wanted nothing to do with me.
If I weren't home all the time, I would get 2. Plus, we have dogs that are great with animals, so she won't be totally alone if we decide to go out to eat or something

 

[melissamerry]

Sorry about the late reply! I've been driving all day. Had to drop the babies off with grandma for the weekend while I have some fun in Vegas. It's really cute, on my way up my mom sent me a picture of a bag of feeder fish and said "were getting ready for the grand babies." The running joke in my family is that these are the only grandchildren that my parents are getting from me.

Anyways! I can't imagine a place with a law against ducks! It's possible that the rude government guy meant catching a wild duck and keeping it as a pet. I'm sure that's illegal. Hah. I do know that there is a link on this website to check city ordinances. You could totally check that too.

I'm not sure how, but making your duck into a therapy duck is such a great idea. There must be a website explaining it. I once sat next to a girl on an airplane with a real bunny in her lap with papers saying it was an anxiety bunny. I'm sure it's possible for the duck too.

As for mating.... Yes. Finn mounts Treetrunks and Jake every morning when their pool gets fresh water, and then a couple of times a day as well. I've been getting nearly two eggs every morning for about a month now. I'm not sure how to tell if they're fertilized... I eat them anyway. I'm still searching for the answer on that one myself. I might be going about that all wrong. TreeTrunks has built herself a nest under the BBQ and I occasionally find her sitting on a few eggs for an hour. She always gets off though and leaves them be after that. So no babies yet! I'm also not sure if I should even let them breed since they are siblings. I'm not sure on bad inbreeding is...

I definitely agree on the one duck too since you'll have some time with it. I think I lucked out with my ducks binding with me. I almost think they think I'm a duck! One day TreeTrunks brought me a snail and laid it at my feet. Most thoughtful gift anyone could ask for. If you do get a male I wonder if he'll try to mount you when he comes of age...hmm?

 

[TMarie]

MelissaMerry, how sweet- a snail! That was very thoughtful lol. That's awesome that your parents are just as interested in your ducks as you are! My mom has always gotten attached to my pets too. She is obsessed with taking pictures, so every pet I've ever had has had a million photo shoots lol.

I can't find the link to search city ordinances. Although I think he meant farm ducks too, because in the 2nd phone call to him, he said the only way I could have ducks in my city is if I had 5 acres and it was zoned agricultural. (Something he didn't care to mention in the 1st call...as if he knew I didn't...even though I don't

) lol But I reread the Village Hall zoning page, and it says nothing about ducks! So I think I'm in the clear. I'm feeling even more confident that no one will question me.

I'm thinking that I will be eating the eggs too if I have a female. I see they have much more vitamins... but twice the cholesterol. I always hate buying eggs at the store anyway! I hate knowing that the animals were probably in a filthy cage and pumped with hormones. This way, I will know where my eggs are coming from! I've never eaten duck eggs. Can you tell a difference?

Yes, I'm worried about the male claiming me as well

haha that would be interesting. I really don't want any aggressive biting either, that's for sure!

 

[Diamond88]

Oooooooo that would be so much fun! My bf lives in Laguna so I'm down there often. How exciting! Ever taken your baby to the beach before?

Not yet, because my duck Bunny hasn't actually been to California yet. My boyfriend and I went there to set up the house, but we're just now on our way there with Bunny--currently in Nebraska and heading southwest. Do you take your ducks to the beach? I'd love to, but I'm so scared of her swimming away! She's imprinted, but still, I'm paranoid. Maybe I'll buy a big pen and set it up on the beach, partially in the water, so she can swim.

It's so great that your three ducks all love you so much! I originally bought seven eggs but only Bunny hatched, and I've been debating on whether or not to get a second duckling...