Hurray someone came to buy ducklings!! *and did this time* again*

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
It's scarey because you never know if these are the people who later down the road will dump them because they didn't know what they were getting into, since most probably never researched about ducks and their needs. Before I actually brought my dumped ducks up from the river, I got Dave Holdrreads book about raising ducks so I would know something about them before bringing them home. I had them for 4 years before I found BYC, but I had only just gotten a computer too. It's so easy to research if you have a computer. Maybe if you haven't already you could print up something on the care and feeding of ducks to give out when they come for them.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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It's scarey because you never know if these are the people who later down the road will dump them because they didn't know what they were getting into, since most probably never researched about ducks and their needs. Before I actually brought my dumped ducks up from the river, I got Dave Holdrreads book about raising ducks so I would know something about them before bringing them home. I had them for 4 years before I found BYC, but I had only just gotten a computer too. It's so easy to research if you have a computer. Maybe if you haven't already you could print up something on the care and feeding of ducks to give out when they come for them.

That reminds me of a lady who wanted to buy some muscovy ducks from me last year. The ducklings were only 12 days old. While talking to this person, I found out that this person had a pond on her property that she wanted to put the ducklings on. After asking a few more questions, I knew that these 12 day old ducklings were too young to be taken away from their mother and released on a pond. After asking more questions, she further explained that she lived about an hour away and only visited her property once a week (if that often). She said that there was no housing for the ducks. I asked her how would they run away from predators. She said that they could run to the pond and just stay there until the predator was gone. I asked her what would they eat. She said they could eat grass.

That was the end of the conversation after that. I thanked her for her time and told her that I couldn't sell the ducklings to her. She paused and said ok.

I was so hot, I could have spit nails.

Why would someone want to do that?????????????

 

[FenDruadin]

I screen purchasers before they ever make the trip out here. If they've found me on craigslist, I make them answer a (very brief) questionnaire about their plans, and ask them to tell me a little about the life the ducks can expect to have from them. I also have a duckling care sheet I email to them ahead of time, and I refer them to three things: my Grit article on raising ducks, these forums, and Holderread's book. I have had to tell some potential purchasers "no," though I've found nice ways to do it, by suggesting for instance that they might be very unhappy about the mess and expense of ducks and perhaps they would like to research more and decide if they were really ready for the commitment.

That is not to say that I haven't homed my birds to places I wish I hadn't. I once traded two hens for the privilege of "borrowing" some ducklings for a photo shoot. The guy was well-meaning and knowledgeable, but when I went to his place to drop off the birds and pick up ducklings, there were chickens in tiny cages living with the carcasses of dead chickens... he apologized and explained that he had been ill and his wife had been caring for him and not had time for the critters... and the ducks were all reasonably well cared for... but I still felt uncomfortable about it and I still think I should have had the backbone to take my ducks right on back out of there and home again.

Mostly, though, my ducks have all gone to outstanding homes, and many of them stay in touch with me long after the fact, which is wonderful.

Anyway... *congrats* on selling those drakes, lol, and good luck on the babies. I'd like a muscovy hen in my flock, but somehow I don't think it's worth anyone's while to drive all the way to Charlotte to sell a single muscovy hen. I mean, isn't 99 ducks to rehome SOOOoooo much better than 100??

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
It's scarey because you never know if these are the people who later down the road will dump them because they didn't know what they were getting into, since most probably never researched about ducks and their needs. Before I actually brought my dumped ducks up from the river, I got Dave Holdrreads book about raising ducks so I would know something about them before bringing them home. I had them for 4 years before I found BYC, but I had only just gotten a computer too. It's so easy to research if you have a computer. Maybe if you haven't already you could print up something on the care and feeding of ducks to give out when they come for them.

That reminds me of a lady who wanted to buy some muscovy ducks from me last year. The ducklings were only 12 days old. While talking to this person, I found out that this person had a pond on her property that she wanted to put the ducklings on. After asking a few more questions, I knew that these 12 day old ducklings were too young to be taken away from their mother and released on a pond. After asking more questions, she further explained that she lived about an hour away and only visited her property once a week (if that often). She said that there was no housing for the ducks. I asked her how would they run away from predators. She said that they could run to the pond and just stay there until the predator was gone. I asked her what would they eat. She said they could eat grass.

That was the end of the conversation after that. I thanked her for her time and told her that I couldn't sell the ducklings to her. She paused and said ok.

I was so hot, I could have spit nails.

Why would someone want to do that?????????????

They just have no idea, thats why I stooped letting my ducks hatch because it was so frustrating trying to find good homes for them, and I am way to picky I guess. But when you put so much time and heart into it, you don't want them put out on a pond with no protection and their only food sourse is grass. And at that time I didn't want anyone eating my ducklings, I do feel a tad different about that. We haven't eaten any of our ducks but we have had to process our extra roos.

 

[jdywntr]

Thank you for the ideas. I had not thought of printing out a care sheet. At least my ducklings are older so they don't need to deal with day old care. They are almost fully feathered and have been outside since day 1 so no issues with heat etc. But still, I wish I had taken away some of the eggs, though I did not expect 11 to hatch. I do feel a bit guilty as I was not entirely comfortable with the family yesterday, mainly because the kids were so excited I was worried that they would try herding them once they got home and someone would get hurt (well a duck, don't so much care if the kids did

). I just hope that they do ask me questions if they have any.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I know how you feel, hopefully the parents have trained the children to respect animals. And they are enjoying them.. I always worry when children are involved.

 

[jdywntr]

I saw an ad on craigslist for a "critter sale" this saturday. It says

SMALL ANIMAL AUCTION SATURDAY AT 6 PM AND EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH LOCATED AT INTERSECTION OF CR675 AND SR64 AT LAKE MANATEE IN EASTERN BRADENTON.BUY AND SELL CHICKENS, GOATS, DUCKS, SWINE, CAGES, ETC. WE WILL BE TAKING CONSIGNMENTS STARTING AT NOON ON SALE DAY.

Is anyone familiar/been to this?

 

[jdywntr]

Hurray, someone came to buy ducklings this evening and bought 2 males. I really liked these people. They already have chickens so at least some experience and they have a large area set up for the ducks.
I have had the best luck selling males. Its odd. Now, my remaining 6 ducklings are off to Nava's swap in Ocala on Saturday. And then my Muscovy adventure will really begin.