Easter throw away, sad story and advice needed....

[duckluck]

I feel really horrible for this duckling and am very glad you were there to rescue it. I didn't list any of my baby Calls for sale anywhere but here and on the BantamCallDucks list before Easter for this very reason...I wanted to make sure my Calls did not wind up as "Easter babies". You can't always control what winds up happening to animals when you offer them for sale but there are sensible steps and precautions that the careful animal owner/breeder can take to try and exert some control towards making sure that their animals are not abused or neglected. I just had someone come out to the farm to buy two baby Calls and I made sure to give him a small baggie of duck starter to be sure those babies get off on the right foot in their new home. I just had a friend bring me two huge bags of duck starter so it was nothing to me to make sure my babies stay on the right track until next week when it will be time to step down their protein. I also try to be sure that any baby goes to a new home in a suitable carrier so that it stays warm and calm, even if it means I have to provide a box with shavings or a hot water bottle. I have a small supply of boxes on hand for such situations. Sometimes I think too that doing such things puts people in the right track of mindset that they are buying a living being that requires proper care and not just an object that they can just put on a shelf or dump somewhere when it proves to be work.

 

[SED]

Looks kinda like a Embden gosling to me. But I could be wrong! (and probably am)

 

[ravencreek]

Quote:
Oh Lord don't tell me that!!! I am terrified of geese! I went to an ostrich farm in Meigs county just yesterday and they had loose geese. I couldn't even get out of the truck til they herded them into the pen. *FAINTS*

 

[ravencreek]

Well Sweetwater(ducks new name) is doing awesome and I think its grown since I brought it home!! Man can it make the water MESSY. Its sooo sweet and will rub its head through my hair and make cute little noises. I'm in love here. Hubby says it needs ducky friends cause its going to think its a chicken.

 

[hencackle]

Turns out they woman had bought this duck for her daughter to wake up to on Easter and KNEW they couldn't keep it because they lived in an apartment.

Why didn't the woman buy her daughter a nice toy duck instead? Aside from the fact that we all know this is cruel for the duckling, it's also cruel to give something to a child knowing that he/she will become attached to the temporary novelty.​

 

[katharinad]

Please write to your local paper and tell them about this poor little duckling. They may be interested in publishing an article or take it as a letter to the editor. My paper has a website and you can even submit your letter with picture per email. They will print it and post it online free of charge. They probably thank you for writing it for them. Plus my paper lets readers comment about the letter online. You will be surprised how many good message you will see. Anyway, many people don't understand that domestic ducks don't fly, and that ducklings will not be adopted by other ducks. They are basically dumped out to die!!! Write it as heartbreaking as you can, because that will catch reader's attention and will educate them.
Good luck,
Katharina

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
Why didn't the woman buy her daughter a nice toy duck instead? Aside from the fact that we all know this is cruel for the duckling, it's also cruel to give something to a child knowing that he/she will become attached to the temporary novelty.

Why didn't somebody just throw the woman in the water?

Imagine the lesson her child learned!

 

[katharinad]

The kid will not learn a good lesson. I bet she would have claimed some pain and sued. What a teaching that would be for the kid. Get money for nothing. The kid has already learned that it is ok to get a pet and dispose of it when it becomes to much of an inconvenience.
Katharina

 

[chasing ducks]

well I can tell you it's not a pekin or a white hybrid. It could be a buff, but from the way the little guy stands I'd have to guess runner duckling. As to the woman, unfortunately some people are just plain stupid. Domestic ducks generally can't fly and will make easy targets for predators, provided they survive without the right food and heat!

 

[tnchickenut]

Quote:
Couple things:

1. Sweetwater Police are very serious about abuse to the ducks. There was a case about 10-15 years ago of someone going to the duck park and shooting the ducks and geese with a bow and arrow. Since then, they patrol the duck park and even will arrest you for touching the eggs. "The Duck Park" is a bit of a source of pride and heritage for Sweetwatertonians (lol). Point is... if they got the tags to the woman, they will look her up and talk to her... but without them seeing the crime, there is little legal recourse for them.

2. If it is a goose, I will adopt it if need be. I love geese. Although, I don't think it is a goose. So rest easy.

3. Get used to the water being nasty. It stays clean for about 3 minutes. lol.

4. I have a rooster who was the only chicken to hatch so I brooded it with the khaki campbells.... it thinks it's a duck. Lives with the ducks... "loves" the ducks. Won't "love" a chicken! I have tried to get him interested in one of the hens... nope. It wants ducks. So, your husband may be right. If it really comes down to it... TSC has ducklings, but you will have to buy two and take whatever they have. I can still do the hatching eggs for you too. I'm off this Friday, Sat, and Sunday... so just let me know. I'll give them to you free.