The Duck Thread

[Ravynscroft]

[COLOR=FF0000]Warning: tongue is firmly in cheek...[/COLOR] Those of us who have knowingly gotten drakes on purpose understanding their potential problems can manage our flocks to deal with those problems. I feel bad for the first time duck buyer who just gets some fuzzys from the feed store with no knowledge of duck/drake behavior, then ends up with a horror show in their yard. I think this is a good chunk of the pond abandonment problem. They are presented with a problem that they don't have the ability or will to deal with. To butcher Meatloaf: "I would do anything for ducks, but I can't do that..." So to put a lighter spin on a serious problem, I propose labeling feed store ducklings like so: (You will probably have to go to the actual image to read it.)

Dangit, Tony... I'm on mobile and still can't read it blown up!

 

[tomynoks]

That's PERFECT!!!

 

[BullChick]

[COLOR=FF0000]Warning: tongue is firmly in cheek...[/COLOR] Those of us who have knowingly gotten drakes on purpose understanding their potential problems can manage our flocks to deal with those problems. I feel bad for the first time duck buyer who just gets some fuzzys from the feed store with no knowledge of duck/drake behavior, then ends up with a horror show in their yard. I think this is a good chunk of the pond abandonment problem. They are presented with a problem that they don't have the ability or will to deal with. To butcher Meatloaf: "I would do anything for ducks, but I can't do that..." So to put a lighter spin on a serious problem, I propose labeling feed store ducklings like so: (You will probably have to go to the actual image to read it.)

I'm just happy to see another Meat Loaf fan!

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Dangit, Tony... I'm on mobile and still can't read it blown up!

For you, I will transcribe...

Warning: This may be a drake
========================
The sex of this cute fuzzy duckling is
unknown and it may grow up to be a
drake. The cooperative extension has
determined that in mixed sex flocks,
having a drakek ratio of greater
than 1:4 may cause overbreading,
aggressive behavior or even death.
This could lead to heart break and/or
a duck dinner. If you are not willing
to take this risk, please consider
purchasing from a source that sexes
their ducklings.

 

[needlessjunk]

Warning: tongue is firmly in cheek...

Those of us who have knowingly gotten drakes on purpose understanding their potential problems can manage our flocks to deal with those problems. I feel bad for the first time duck buyer who just gets some fuzzys from the feed store with no knowledge of duck/drake behavior, then ends up with a horror show in their yard. I think this is a good chunk of the pond abandonment problem. They are presented with a problem that they don't have the ability or will to deal with. To butcher Meatloaf: "I would do anything for ducks, but I can't do that..."

So to put a lighter spin on a serious problem, I propose labeling feed store ducklings like so:



(You will probably have to go to the actual image to read it.)

I'm on my computer and still can't read that fine print...

 

[Ravynscroft]

For you, I will transcribe...

Warning:  This may be a drake
========================
The sex of this cute fuzzy duckling is
unknown and it may grow up to be a
drake.  The cooperative extension has
determined that in mixed sex flocks,
having a drakek ratio of greater
than 1:4 may cause overbreading,
aggressive behavior or even death.
This could lead to heart break and/or
a duck dinner.  If you are not willing
to take this risk, please consider
purchasing from a source that sexes
their ducklings.

Aww, thanks!

Love it and yes, perfect!!

*now, how many times did you have to rewrite it to keep it calm?*

 

[needlessjunk]

Dangit, Tony... I'm on mobile and still can't read it blown up!

For you, I will transcribe...

Warning:  This may be a drake
========================
The sex of this cute fuzzy duckling is
unknown and it may grow up to be a
drake.  The cooperative extension has
determined that in mixed sex flocks,
having a drakek ratio of greater
than 1:4 may cause overbreading,
aggressive behavior or even death.
This could lead to heart break and/or
a duck dinner.  If you are not willing
to take this risk, please consider
purchasing from a source that sexes
their ducklings.

Thank you I wish they would put that out with the cuties at the feed store!

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Aww, thanks!

Love it and yes, perfect!!

*now, how many times did you have to rewrite it to keep it calm?*

I am pretty calm overall so no rewrites

. I hate to see the cycle of pond dumpings. That is one of many reasons I am a strong advocate for Metzer. I discovered this site while I had my first two ducks (that we got locally) I would Google all my questions and all the results would always be on BYC. After a while, I just started to go to BYC. So when I decided to get my flock, I saw that Metzer was a sponsor for the site and my logic was: if they help keep the site that has been such a help to me going, I will give them my business. Well since then I have grown to appreciate that they sell sexed ducks which all breeders / hatcheries don't. And at the time I got my ducks, their policy was to give ducklings a huge rate hike the week before Easter to discourage them from being bought then. This year they aren't even available the week before Easter. I think this is great. I realize that Easter falls in the prime time for farmers to restock their flocks, but they can get their ducks a week earlier or later. I am sure that Metzer takes a hit for that week, but to me it shows responsibility. So they have addressed in my opinion, the two fixable causes of pond dumps. (The people factor can't be fixed.)

 

[Amiga]

Drake warning label - yah, buddy!

I have one drake, and he has been bit of a challenge.

I think my tone can come off judgmental. I am sure we are all doing the best we know how. At the same time, because little lives are at stake, I tend to come on strong with warnings about drakes.

So, mea culpa, and I have great respect and admiration for all duck keepers.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I am pretty calm overall so no rewrites .  I hate to see the cycle of pond dumpings.  That is one of many reasons I am a strong advocate for Metzer.  I discovered this site while I had my first two ducks (that we got locally) I would Google all my questions and all the results would always be on BYC.  After a while, I just started to go to BYC.  So when I decided to get my flock, I saw that Metzer was a sponsor for the site and my logic was:  if they help keep the site that has been such a help to me going, I will give them my business.  Well since then I have grown to appreciate that they sell sexed ducks which all breeders / hatcheries don't.  And at the time I got my ducks, their policy was to give ducklings a huge rate hike the week before Easter to discourage them from being bought then. This year they aren't even available the week before Easter.  I think this is great.  I realize that Easter falls in the prime time for farmers to restock their flocks, but they can get their ducks a week earlier or later.  I am sure that Metzer takes a hit for that week, but to me it shows responsibility.  So they have addressed in my opinion, the two fixable causes of pond dumps.  (The people factor can't be fixed.)

I just figured there was a lot more text covering that cute little fuzzlet at first...

I agree with all you said, and glad Metzer's does what they can on their end... I am not a hatchery buyer, but I try to watch out for personal experiences with them so I can recommend good ones for people who do...