I have been owned by a small flock of ducks for 4 years now. Some came because some others went. Living the good life on a half acre pond is nice as long as there is enough water and as long as you follow the example of the smart leader who stays right in the middle at night when the predators come out to circle the pond. I have no duck house. They are on their own. This has gone relatively well and my current group has not lost anyone (touch wood) for about a year now. But the newest habit is driving me nuts. They stick together like glue, probably born out of need? So now that one pekin is laying close to the house under a tree, the rest come with her and roost on my porch, and steal catfood while they are at it. All day long, they sit and sh*t there. In loo of putting on ducky diapers I sure wished they'd go off and do what ducks are supposed to do: swim. This is the first year I have had them do this. Sure, they have always knoced on the sliding doors when they thought it was time to eat, but I now wake up to their clucking by my bedroom window, and they don't leave until late afternoon. I would prefer not to fence off the view and am wondering if I should be more understanding? It is hot and dry here at the moment. And I do see (canid) prints around the pond from nightly prowlers.
But surely that does not affect their day activity when things are safe?
