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- #11
I have raised waterfowl for 27 years now- started with geese, after a little guy got trodden on by his parents - before I had even hit my teen years. I have had somequack or other ever since then bar a few months when I first left home. I used to look after a lot of dumped ducks- sick or injured ones- cross breeds that no-one wanted until they were well and a farm could be found for them to go and live at. I could never resist the goslings sold at one particular market each spring. I know that even though they are just days old they will be riddled with lice - under nourished and not doing well. I reported the farmer to animal welfare and they were banned from selling at the market. I dont go there anymore. Its too sad not to be able to buy some of the ducklings a different vendor has- so I know they will all grow up and go to good homes- and not end up dumped. One easter I went in and bought 20 ducklings so they wouldnt end up as easter ducks... I know that paying these people is just allowing them to continue exploiting animals - but each little duckling that I did raise at least had a good life.
The Runners are fairly new though... I wanted them for years - but when I looked there were none to be bought- and when I did see them I didnt have the space for more ducks. Two years ago I decided it was time. I rehomed almost all the ducks I had- keeping only 3 that I couldnt part with - Harvey Crumpet and Monty. Harvey was a rescue - a very sick duck I found at the market ( $1000 on Vet bills 3 operations and 5 months of treatment cured him of what is normally a fatal problem - so he has a forever home here. ) Crumpet is his " wife " and Monty is their bachelor friend who belongs to my Daughter.
That left me the room to finally get my Runners- I still take in the occasional injured or sick bird - Im still such a softy for the ones with issues. Its so different breeding for colour and type rather than just having " pets ". Its a different kind of satisfaction I get now with my birds. Saving their lives- or doing something that allows them to walk again is great- but when I get to sit outside at the end of a day at work and look at the little ones growing... sitting them on my lap and looking at the new feathers growing through and impatiently wondering what they will look like when fully grown - I get I real sense of achievement.
OMG Hattiegun.... You went and got me started...lol... I could just go on ...and on.... Once I get started talking about my duckies.. Its hard to stop.
The Runners are fairly new though... I wanted them for years - but when I looked there were none to be bought- and when I did see them I didnt have the space for more ducks. Two years ago I decided it was time. I rehomed almost all the ducks I had- keeping only 3 that I couldnt part with - Harvey Crumpet and Monty. Harvey was a rescue - a very sick duck I found at the market ( $1000 on Vet bills 3 operations and 5 months of treatment cured him of what is normally a fatal problem - so he has a forever home here. ) Crumpet is his " wife " and Monty is their bachelor friend who belongs to my Daughter.
That left me the room to finally get my Runners- I still take in the occasional injured or sick bird - Im still such a softy for the ones with issues. Its so different breeding for colour and type rather than just having " pets ". Its a different kind of satisfaction I get now with my birds. Saving their lives- or doing something that allows them to walk again is great- but when I get to sit outside at the end of a day at work and look at the little ones growing... sitting them on my lap and looking at the new feathers growing through and impatiently wondering what they will look like when fully grown - I get I real sense of achievement.
OMG Hattiegun.... You went and got me started...lol... I could just go on ...and on.... Once I get started talking about my duckies.. Its hard to stop.
