My first venture into the duck world turned out so disappointing when all four ducklings grew into drakes. No eggs from those guys. I began to consider how to replace them. I placed an ad on Craigs List and spread the word locally hoping to maybe trade a couple of boys for girls, but no one wants extra drakes.
Last week I saw an ad on CL for a pair of Welsh Harlequins almost the same age as my KCs for $50. It would have been a 40 mile drive, and I couldn't see how to go get them before the KCs were gone. After reading here, and elsewhere about the Harlequins, I was really excited, but someone else realized it as a good deal and beat me to them.
Last night I spotted an ad only 30 miles away for four ducks at $15 ea. I sent an email, but no responsed, so this morning I called them. They didn't know what breeds they were or the sex, they were "less than a year old", but they had posted a picture. I was sure there were two Anaconas, so I headed out and brought them home. One is black and white, the other is brown and white. My neighbor has a rabbit hutch to hold them in until we butcher the KCs tomorrow, then I can clean my pen and coop and bring them on home.
My set up is truly temporary but I honestly feel I just rescued two lovely ducks. They were simply fenced into a small area with tall, coarse grass, a small hole dug out with some pool liner and only mud—no water. The small food bowl was empty, there was no shelter nor drinking water. Their bills were muddy. They were truly in 'duck heaven' when we got back, gave them even a small bit of water to get into and bathe.
Anyway, now my journey into the world of ducks is headed into a new by-way. So much to learn.
Last week I saw an ad on CL for a pair of Welsh Harlequins almost the same age as my KCs for $50. It would have been a 40 mile drive, and I couldn't see how to go get them before the KCs were gone. After reading here, and elsewhere about the Harlequins, I was really excited, but someone else realized it as a good deal and beat me to them.
Last night I spotted an ad only 30 miles away for four ducks at $15 ea. I sent an email, but no responsed, so this morning I called them. They didn't know what breeds they were or the sex, they were "less than a year old", but they had posted a picture. I was sure there were two Anaconas, so I headed out and brought them home. One is black and white, the other is brown and white. My neighbor has a rabbit hutch to hold them in until we butcher the KCs tomorrow, then I can clean my pen and coop and bring them on home.
My set up is truly temporary but I honestly feel I just rescued two lovely ducks. They were simply fenced into a small area with tall, coarse grass, a small hole dug out with some pool liner and only mud—no water. The small food bowl was empty, there was no shelter nor drinking water. Their bills were muddy. They were truly in 'duck heaven' when we got back, gave them even a small bit of water to get into and bathe.
Anyway, now my journey into the world of ducks is headed into a new by-way. So much to learn.
