Please don’t laugh but...

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I was told that they were originally bred to be used as live decoys for duck hunters. Their job was to quack a lot and draw the wild birds in. A friend calls them "Judas ducks". It is not legal to use them for hunting anymore. Here in Memphis, TN we have a hotel, The Peabody, that has them swimming in the fountain in the main lobby. The hotel says that years ago some hunters had a little too much to drink after a day of hunting and put their ducks in the fountain. The hotel liked it and have had some there ever since. They keep the ducks in the penthouse suite and march the down to the lobby every morning.

I looked it up, LUCKY DUCKS! For about 3 months…
https://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks

 

[GranderTheGander]

I wonder when and why they stopped using Call ducks and switched to mallards.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I wonder when and why they stopped using Call ducks and switched to mallards.

My guess is that they are more “traditional ducks” and by rotating in a flock every 3 months they always look right, are never molting, arent too big and really just want to swim. They can be easily swapped In and out of a flock and when someone gets all upset about where they end up the are being “rehabilitated for release into the wild” which clears them of criticism on that end.

 

[GranderTheGander]

My guess is that they are more “traditional ducks” and by rotating in a flock every 3 months they always look right, are never molting, arent too big and really just want to swim. They can be easily swapped In and out of a flock and when someone gets all upset about where they end up the are being “rehabilitated for release into the wild” which clears them of criticism on that end.

Oh. I wondered if they didn't stop using Calls because they are too loud.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Its out of my usual budget, but I am now obsessed, I really want to go to this place.

 

[Painted Calls]

Its out of my usual budget, but I am now obsessed, I really want to go to this place.

Their penthouse sweet is the best. Their little house looks like the hotel. Adorable.