My stupid friend bought ducks and has no idea how to keep them!

[TLWR]

I researched and was still kind of clueless when my box of ducklings arrived. But they've done just fine (ignore the wrap on Blue's wing LOL).
Asking for help after getting something is better than never asking for help when it is needed and just guessing or doing nothing. Help them out, suggest some books, suggest some online places for info and let them know what a bad idea it is to get ducklings with the intent of letting them go free later.
They are mallards, so maybe they will take off on their own, but getting them just to have cute little ducklings and then push them to fly off because they don't want them anymore is different.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

It does irritate me too. But it could be worse. What about those people who buy them with NO intention of keeping them? Well, we just wanted to have them for a month or so so the kids could raise ducklings.

Or today there was an ad on my local CL, needing to rehome 4 Pekin ducklings. Why? Because they got them at a feed store for "promotional purposes" and are now tired of them. What does that even mean???

 

[stargazingmommy]

I'm one of those impulse buy people...but I came home and researched the hell out of their care while they were safe and sound in a makeshift brooder.
impulse animal buyers I typically refer to as SPO's, stupid pet owners.

 

[flowergirl60]

At least she/he is asking what to do to take care of them. My stepdaughter brought me a baby (1) chick at Christmas and I was like what am I going to do with this. No coop, never had chickens in my life. Got on BYC did alot of reading signed up, now I have 3 great happy gals living in a very secure coop. My how things change. I am blessed.

 

[FarmrGirl]

some folks can learn fast and ducks are hardy little things. My big worry is that this person wants to set them free. Maaaaayyyyybe after s/he sees how much they depend on humans (as all domestic animals do) that s/he will realize that they won't know how to forage, avoid predators, build their own housing, etc in the wild. If not, I would strongly encourage s/he to sell them (maybe the $$ will do the trick) or donate them to a local duckkeeper.

I mean, c'mon... would you think you could raise a little calf up then release is as a grown cow into the wild thinking it would be able to take care of itself? Why do people always think that ducks can suddenly learn to do it when their mama never taught them?

 

[Fawkes]

Even my little brother who was like 10 at the time knew to research before we got ducks. And why do people always want to set ducks free when they grow up? Its their fault that muscovies and mallards have been banned

 

[KBChicks]

When I was a child they used to sell chicks and ducklings at the local GC Murphy store at Easter time. Every year my uncle would buy an assortment of each for his kids...that lasted a few days and they never saw the poor little things again....sheesh...

If your friend really wants to keep the ducks it's best to help educate them...you'd be doing everyone a favor...

I know it always makes me feel good when I'm able to help someone out with questions about their animals.

Hope it all works out!