Do Your Neighbors Think You Are The "Odd" Duck?

[FunnyBunnies12]

What do any of your neighbors think of you owning ducks and either going simple for their living conditions, or extravagent and how you view them as "Pets" rather then stock when some people view them as dirty old stinky birds with no purpose. Have you ever had complaints?

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I forgot to mention as well what your family, immediate and extended think of you having ducks?

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I think my relatives think I am nuts for getting birds this summer

At times I think I am nuts. The adopted dog also new this summer has been a ton of work- destroying gardens/doors and such. Dog that was here for a year and slept 23/7 now has discovered the birds and as such has been stalking them 24/7- I am either shaving years off her life or extending her life by being so interested in the birds.

The chickens have been work~ not as much as I thought and then with the dog circling them a lot more work than I thought

The ducks I got for my DH on a whim. I knew they were work~ but I guess I went over board when I ordered and therefore am cleaning out their area A LOT more than I expected.

My kids are a handful, My DH works a ton and therefore anything at home ends up on me. So with the addition of more animals -dog, chickens and ducks I may be nuts

But the kids and I and I think even DH is learning a ton. I have educated anyone and everyone who has come to our place about our animals and as such I think they have learned a lot. The kids entered 2 chickens at the fair and through that experience I did think I was nuts. I dragged a then 3, 5 and 7 year old to the fair 2 days in a row for a 9-10 hour day. But again we all learned a ton through the days at the fair even if we were dead on our feet when we came home. We have yet to see an egg

But any day now and we will.

As for the neighbors

Well who knows

I am sure they, who are all "real" farmers think I might be nuts. But we are having fun and again learning a ton. I am just hoping no one convinces anyone to raise a bigger animal as I don't think I have any more time to devote to animals.

As for not being useful~ Ducks do produce eggs and can be used for meat. My real purpose for these ducks is insect control. Hopefully I get the dogs under control and we can free range these birds! I also am hopeful on the eggs and unsure about the meat but that is always a possibility as "on the farm" animals do get eaten. I have told the kids this fate as well and even though they are not in favor (not sure that anyone really is if they think of something as a pet), it is a possibility. My Dad and I just butchered my first two chickens ever and while I did not like the procedure it had to be done. They are waiting in the freezer until I can get myself to eat them. I am guessing that it will get easier with time.

Good news is that you and I have found this site where the people without birds are the oddballs

I not only have found lots of info but have also found reassurance into what I am doing with these birds.

 

[TigerLilly]

I forewarned my neighbor of my intentions, especially since they're close to the fencline that we chat over. She thought it was a great idea and wanted "in" since her son was going to do something in 4H. I have chickens & goats (soon, zebu)...they decided on a pig. In an effort to keep all the smells in one area, theirs is close to my chickens, near the fence line.
I was so hoping they'd get a cow...
In general, my friends/co-workers thought I was nuts until I started bragging about those farm fresh & chemical free eggs!

 

[katharinad]

I want miniature cattle. They are just tooo cute.
http://www.minicattle.com/entry.cfm

 

[Jen4]

Yep... My friends and I'm thinking most of my family thinks I'm crazy... but I dont care,

I love my crazy duck/chicken life!

 

[littleduckfl]

My family thinks I am nuts for having a duck but the neighbor thinks it great because her mom kept ducks in their basement in Brooklyn. She was heartbroken when the duck turned out to be a he and there would be no duck eggs for breakfast. My friends all want ducks, too.

 

[KansasKid]

Well considering that I have spent $205.50 just on 4 mandarins 2 ringed teal (Plus the other 12 ducks at 4 dollars a peice) and have started on there new aviary that is 36x16 and fully covered with aviary netting (used on game bird farms) which i haven't added up yet. My immediate family is getting tired of me bringing birds home, I haven't told the rest of my family, and only a few of my trustworthy friends now about my addiction. lol and to go on and spend thousands of minutes working on the aviary, learning about the birds, and showing them. (2 years ago got lucky and got grand champion, this year i spent enough time to memorize the APA breed standards book and it payed off and i got grand champion but i didn't get out much for those 2 days.)

 

[Big Dreamer]

Okay i'm only 13 and i have been ADDICTED to this site and to my 7 ducks. At school i always talk about my ducks and people just think i'm weird, kinda in a good way(maybe) But i'm mostly on this site so i can vent my Obsessive behavior and try to keep it under control, and the only reason why i got into ducks was i was on YouTube and i saw a video about ducks and said, 'Wow ducks are cool i should get one" and i fed off of that and researched to my hearts content and still am. My teachers piers and entire family think i am a freak for loving my ducks soo much, and i even like doing the dirty work for them because i just love my ducks and its just fun having them and taking care of them, kinda weird for a kid to say its fun to take care of an animal isn't it? Well i cant wait until i get my welsh harlequins and get the new coop started and done. ALL MY OWN MONEY....mostly

Me and BigMomma-Yes hes a boy

 

[Baymule]

Big Dreamer, you keep on loving your ducks. Do what makes your heart happy. I see a future in farming for you!