Domestics at the local duck pond

[chickboss]

We have a local duck pond by the Fred Meryer's of all places. Last time I was there, I noticed there seemed to be a lot of domestics mixed in with the wild Mallards. Well, most of them are gone now, hopefully rescued, except for this little "outlaw" group that has taken up residence in the bushes, all kind of sticking to themselves. Couple of drakes that were maybe Harlequins, one I couldn't place, but way too large to be a Mallard, not quite right color for a Rouen, an old looking Muscovy drake and a little Muscovy hen. The Muscovy drake seemed to like me a bit, and got really close for awhile. I'm not really getting to a point here are anything, I just thought it was sad. Wished I could take them home, because they so obviously didn't belong there, but figured it may not be the best idea because of disease, ect. LOL, I know ducks like bread (we don't feed it to them), but I think they would kill for something real to eat. Probable will pack up some duck food to take next time.

 

[bock]

Poor birds.

I think you should bring them some food, they will probably love it!

Near a river a few miles away from their house I spotted 3 muscovies, 7 pekins, and an anacona. I REALLY wanted to take them home, but I resisted.

 

[chickboss]

Yeah, duck food and greens, and peas. LOL. I think I may go into town tomarrow.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

With the new Muscovy laws in effect and them being on public land, if you don't home them, they will be removed and killed. Take them home or find someone that will. Scovies are neat and quiet and part of our heritage, etc. etc.. (I know you had them prior to March 31). They eat lots of skitters and flys, too.

 

[tnchickenut]

We have a local pond/park and it is FULL of magpies, rouens, pekins, khaki campbells, BLUE SWEDISH even(!), cayuga, and on and on.....

I buy them feed. I can't catch them (though I have caught a few that had fishing line and hooks to save them). The city workers have come to me before and said "can you help us catch that duck? it's hurt and we can't get close." They have a fairly decent life there except from mid May to mid August... when school is out. I feed them every other day in winter and once a week in summer. Matter of fact, somewhere on the internet is a video of how they fly in on me when I call them. It's kinda cool (that part) but I really hate that people keep dumping their Easter babies or culls (most are male). Now, I don't HAVE to... I know... but I end up spending my money on waterfowl feed so I can sleep and know they are at least getting something.

What prompted me to feed them was that one day, I was comming back from the feed store (I have my own ducks) and decided to give them some feed. THEY WENT NUTS! Like they haven't eatten a good meal in weeks. Now, they don't act quite like that, but that is a good thing. Anywho... they do last the winter (here... SE Tennessee) and other than kids and dogs, they seem to do just fine. I have kept up with them and count heads everytime. They don't have many preditors there... mainly humans. I can't tell you how many times I called the law on kids hurting the ducks... or how many people I have called out right then and there.

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
Yeah, it crossed my mind, and is sitting for awhile. My main concern, because we have the room, is that I would accidently bring a disease home. I have over a couple of thousand dollars (and that is A LOT for us) invested in our poultry right now between building materials, feed, brooders, and the birds themselves. A disease would hit us hard in terms of cost of treatment, replacement cost of birds, and the emotional toll it would take. If you have some advice as to how I could help them out, without endangering what I already have going, I am all ears. LOL, I even worry about bringing something home just from being there. How paranoid is that? Maybe it is an overblown fear, but would like to feel good about helping out, and not worried. And I do have my feelers out in terms of finding someone else who would like them, nothing yet.

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
That is so cool! I will bring them some real food next time!

 

[Bleenie]

I'm the same way. there's a lot of domestic ducks at a local park here & also a pair of geese. we took break and some scratch last time and the goose hen came right up to eat from my hands, she was a little pecky but so cute, her gander was more standoffish but i still wanted to bring them home!!

 

[chickboss]

Yeah, I'm a big softie. I know it.