Overpopulated parks?

[SSSophie]

While I was deep into my duckling desire/fantasy, I looked TSC and found that they sell ducklings in sets of 10. I wanted one, maybe two to start with, so that was a no go. From what I gather TSC sells to farmers and pretty much assumes that you're buying poultry to get eggs and/or meat to sell or consume. They're selling livestock, not pets.

Checking out Petco/Petsmarter, while they do sell birds, they sell parakeets and canary, not ducks or anything considered to be poultry. So as of now my duckling options are 10 or zero. Or order two or three online for shipment paying $10-$15 for the ducklings and then $50 "small order" surcharge. Plus shipping. So, nope.

Figure come Spring if I decide to "bite the feather" and get a couple of ducklings, I'll look around for private owner to see if they want to part with them for a sane price.

Our local TSC will do a smaller quantity of ducks. You just have to speak with a manager. They have those regulations for the general public who do not have a flock. I've walked in and purchased 1 chick before because they know me not even the cashiers argue any longer.

You are correct about the livestock/pet thing. Where I live there are strict regulations about the age of pets being sold, however, there is a clause later in the chapter of regulations that states if the animal is for livestock purposes it may be sold younger.

"It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, or give away in the county baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under four weeks of age, or rabbits under eight weeks of age, to be used as pets, toys or retail premiums; or to give away or offer any animal as a prize, toy or merchandising premium"

Good luck!

 

[SSSophie]

Such a wonderful thing you are doing helping those ducks
Our local park has an issue with people dumping ducks and geese as well. We just have a small setup for our ducks so we can't rescue but I do stop by when we are in the area to feed everyone. There is a nice pond for them there but it's still sad to see.View attachment 1978105

That is awesome and so very sweet! I am starting to wish we were able to keep some of these guys. We just got a tractor to tame our yard down by the lake so I'm hoping to possibly get permission to have waterfowl from our lakeowners association as long as we manage to keep them on the propery. We will see. Hopefully everything works out and they go for it.

I am trying to get my friend who has set this all up to join the forums.

 

[SSSophie]

But as pets i think hatching a small batch on your own is the best way to go, its like watching a miracle happen as they hatch, and the instant connection is soo sweet

I completely agree! There is nothing quite like hatching.

 

[SSSophie]

We haven't seen many muscovys around here but my mother has a bunch she feeds in FL. that live on the canal in her back yard.
We have one solo female (?) M uscovy that we've been feeding twice a week the past few years at a different pond. She's so sweet and really made me appreciate the breed a lot. She will swim from the opposite side of the pond to come say hello and get a snack.
She will disappear for weeks sometimes but thankfully always returns.

Over the past three days we have picked up 17 ducks at the park. Over half of them are Muscovys. I am starting to find them highly amusing with their little hisses. I also love their hairdos!

 

[SSSophie]

@BadBloodNelson any update?

I apologize, I have not gotten any pictures. I will try to remember to take some tomorrow before I start collecting ducks. I get a little excited when arriving because they flock my truck, then once we get started I end up getting harassed by people until I leave. They keep calling the law on me who gives me a hard time because every time it is a different officer who demands to verify everything is legit.

Two days ago someone let the ones go I had caught then they called the law, so today I am buying a lock for the kennel in the bed of the truck. The park officials have let us know there are several other parks in the area with the same issue so it looks like we are going to be helping with other locations as well.

Some of the ducks collected will be going to livestock auction this weekend seeing as there will be so many ducks involved we are going to have to rehome some of them. Taking them to auction seemed to be a good plan as we will not give the ducks away to people who do not have means of taking care of them. I have had several people who are very obviously on drugs ask for ducks while I have been catching them, one was clearly not all there, and another homeless... If people have to pay a little something it will ensure they go to someone who is invested in their care and well-being. I was offered money after the auction but told him to keep it for feed.

We have captured a total of two with broken bills. There is one I am after who likes to keep her distance - she has a broken wing.

Edit: My husband and friend thought it was hilarious - my method at night is to throw a jacket over them then scoop up the whole pile. It startles them just enough so there is time to grab them. It is so hard to get close to these ones. They sleep under the darn park lights..

 

[DiYMama540]

Someone released the ones you already caught!? Just goes to show their ignorance...if they were truly concerned for these animals welfare, they would help you! Keep up the good work!

 

[DiYMama540]

@johntfs you seem to enjoy ducks and duck talk...you should try raising some for yourself! If you aren't ready to commit long term, you could consider raising them for meat.

 

[SSSophie]

Someone released the ones you already caught!? Just goes to show their ignorance...if they were truly concerned for these animals welfare, they would help you! Keep up the good work!

Thank you. It think it may have actually been one of the cops that did it but have no proof. She was pretty mad and hell bent on taking me in. Wasn't allowed. Lol.

 

[Runner duck mom]

I apologize, I have not gotten any pictures. I will try to remember to take some tomorrow before I start collecting ducks. I get a little excited when arriving because they flock my truck, then once we get started I end up getting harassed by people until I leave. They keep calling the law on me who gives me a hard time because every time it is a different officer who demands to verify everything is legit.

Two days ago someone let the ones go I had caught then they called the law, so today I am buying a lock for the kennel in the bed of the truck. The park officials have let us know there are several other parks in the area with the same issue so it looks like we are going to be helping with other locations as well.

Some of the ducks collected will be going to livestock auction this weekend seeing as there will be so many ducks involved we are going to have to rehome some of them. Taking them to auction seemed to be a good plan as we will not give the ducks away to people who do not have means of taking care of them. I have had several people who are very obviously on drugs ask for ducks while I have been catching them, one was clearly not all there, and another homeless... If people have to pay a little something it will ensure they go to someone who is invested in their care and well-being. I was offered money after the auction but told him to keep it for feed.

We have captured a total of two with broken bills. There is one I am after who likes to keep her distance - she has a broken wing.

Edit: My husband and friend thought it was hilarious - my method at night is to throw a jacket over them then scoop up the whole pile. It startles them just enough so there is time to grab them. It is so hard to get close to these ones. They sleep under the darn park lights..

Wow, that's crazy! The thought had occurred to me that some folks might take issue when seeing someone taking ducks from a park, but calling the police seems a bit much.
Be careful and stay safe. Hopefully you can have some ducks of your own someday soon

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for checking in. People should be supporting you and your effort to give these ducks a much safer place to live. But so many are ignorant of what's wild and what's domestic. If ducks and geese are at a park they must be wild. I hope you can find great homes for them. I know there are many here who would help you round them up if we could.