Maddog_photog
Songster
Thanks for these visuals, @Isaac 0I'm glad you took the time to do yourself some research.
Holderread is nationally known as one of leading breeder's in waterfowl, but his book does contain some misinformation, that is in his personal opinion that ducks could be kept on wire, In my personal opinion, I believe ducks should be kept on a soft, clean bedding material because in the wild, that's what they'd likely be on, and I think as us duck owners we should take the responsibility to replicate wild ducks living conditions to ours, of course, you can't apply all of it, but a clean, soft bedded, spacious would be best. I have personally seen birds being housed on wire, they did not look healthy, and had quite of existing problems when I saw them.
I'm aware that Metzer suggests that, but have you ever took the time to actually see how some of their birds look? I'll save you some time.
View attachment 2229598
https://www.metzerfarms.com/GrowingDucklings.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=25897202
View attachment 2229600
http://www.liveducks.com/diary/metzer.html
These birds do not look happy/healthy, lots of them have wet feather, along with sticky eye, likley due to their opioion that a deep water source is not needed.
I'm not really sure who's being judgemental here?
I’m gonna hug my Pekins, Chowder and Waddles, a little harder tonight.