Duck lessons

[RJKnott]

As I approach my first full year as a duck owner I was thinking of the things that I have learned about ducks.

that they like to dig holes.
How clever they can be and what strong personalities they have
That only females really quack
That an animal can poop that much without turning inside out

What was everyone’s biggest “huh, really?” Discoveries about ducks when you first started raising ducks

 

[Isaac 0]

They replace an alarm clock.

 

[Spiase20]

Hmmm, there are so many, both good and bad.

1. They are super affectionate if you spend the time working with them. It amazing how cuddly they are.

2. Obsessed with watermelon, it's like their catnip. Will chase me down if they see me carrying it.

3. How smart they can be. Always up to something, trying to cause some trouble or go where they shouldn't. They also can tell when I pull up into the driveway without even seeing me. The moment I step out of the car, they call for me.

4. How molting is like a feather explosion.

As for the bad?

1. How easily they can get bumble foot.

2. How everything is basically a danger for them, easy for all types of predators. Even snakes!

3. Nothing ever stays clean with them. Always cleaning! Amazing really. Like it's a competition how quick they can make a mess.

Love them to death though, wouldn't trade them for the world.

 

[Tam78]

How just seeing them makes me smile no matter how bad I may be feeling. I just never realized how awesome they are until we got our first ones less than a year ago!

 

[21hens-incharge]

That 2am is a great time for a good quacking fit.

That the rooster crowing 10 houses away will trigger a quackathon. Seriously wishing that rooster would sleep through the night.

That it takes under 30 seconds to dirty fresh pool water.

They are still a real hoot for me though.

 

[CraftyHen]

How quickly they can ruin the yard, drilling holes.

How much time one can spend just watching them play in the pool or with a water hose.❤

 

[Quatie]

You hear how fast they grow as ducklings, but until you raise them you don't fully understand it. Crazy fast!

I also didn't realize how addictive ducks would be. Usually my husband is the voice of reason, and he is as had over heels for them too.

 

[CHlCKEN]

That 2am is a great time for a good quacking fit.

That the rooster crowing 10 houses away will trigger a quackathon. Seriously wishing that rooster would sleep through the night.

That it takes under 30 seconds to dirty fresh pool water.

They are still a real hoot for me though.

X2 on that last one! It’s insane how muddy their pools can get in under 5 minutes

 

[indianaducks]

How much they are the labradors of the poultry world. I’ve had working and sporting dogs (labs). Labs love to run, be silly, EAT, and PLAY IN WATER. These are the traits of my ducks as well. I’m pretty sure I picked the right birds now

 

[KaleIAm]

The biggest surprise is how much I adore them.