What to do with Drakes

[janastasio]

We are very fussy about rehoming our males as well. I emphasize that ours are to go to pet homes only and not to contact me if they plan on eating them. I usually ask the person who takes them about their current ducks or poultry and how they plan to care for them ect. I think you can get a good sense from people when you talk with them a bit. I also try to rehome locally and most of the people usually tell me I can visit them at any time. I usually tell them they are my daughter's ducks and how upset she is to have to rehome them! A good sob story get's em' every time! Most people can't lie to a little girl when they pick up the duck! We always give our's away. The cost of a good home is priceless! Good luck!

 

[pascopol]

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There is nothing wrong with my comment. People breed farm animals for eggs end meat. Ducks are farm animals.

If you are trying to tell next owners what to do or not to do with your ducks or/and you not want to have your ducks eaten by future owner DO NOT BREED THEM.

Breeding farm animals and then switching responsibility to keep them as pets to somebody else is selfish and irrresponsible.

That's why responsible pet owners neuter their cats and dogs so they will not breed creating unwanted animals.

 

[L0rraine]

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There is nothing wrong with my comment. People breed farm animals for eggs end meat. Ducks are farm animals.

If you are trying to tell next owners what to do or not to do with your ducks or/and you not want to have your ducks eaten by future owner DO NOT BREED THEM.

Breeding farm animals and then switching responsibility to keep them as pets to somebody else is selfish and irrresponsible.

That's why responsible pet owners neuter their cats and dogs so they will not breed creating unwanted animals.

That's your opinion pascopol and it is right for you, but that does not mean that others' opinions are wrongs. It is not wrong for some of us to consider our animals as beloved pets if we are willing to provide loving homes and conditions for them. Breeders of cats and dogs are still looking for loving homes for their 'pet' quality animals (they are not seeking out homes to eat them). There is absolutely no reason to be discourteous to those who's hearts strive to do no harm to other living things. Just as it is wrong for us to negatively judge people like you who who seek to responsibly breed animals for meat and eggs.

 

[L0rraine]

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I realize that not everyone has the luxury to do this, but I have a drake pen, where a number of drakes live happily together (though on occasion they are confused about mating rituals). For the most part they get along and just seem to bond as loyal friends. I almost prefer the drakes (as pets) because I don't have to worry about finding homes for all the eggs that the females produce (and the drakes are not nearly as noisy).

 

[duckyfromoz]

pascopol - you attitude is made very clear in your signature- I think you however missed my point so I will repeat myself. The comment you made in your first post was not helpful to the OP who is seeking advise on how to rehome extra drakes without fear of them being eaten.



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No one has suggested that they are trying to tell a new owner what to do with the ducks- just that they want to find a home where they are to be allowed to remain alive.

Furthermore I think if you knew more about the OP you would find that they already keep the domesticated ducks as pets and want them to go to another pet home. ALL animals kept as pets as have been domesticated over hundreds or thousands of years- there is no difference between a " pet " cow - duck - dog -or cat. They all originated as a wild animal at some point in time so your uneducated point there is rather mute Im afraid. The actual definintion of a pet is " a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement" A duck being a " domesticated " animal can be either a pet or a " farm animal" - which is defined as any animal kept on a farm for profit or for produce. Most people who use this forum have a small number of ducks- that are by no means profitable- so therefore they must all be pets.!!!

I have commented before on the many reasons people keep ducks after a similar post by you pascopol - you obviously cant understand the point of view of others and I suggest in future that you keep comments like ones made on this thread to the meat bird section where you are much less likely to offend people. AS previously said- You are entittled to your own opinion- but it is how you deliver it publicly that some people will find offensive - or in this case- not helpful.

 

[DanceswLabs]

I have no problem with people eating ducks. I am not a vegetarian myself, and I wish I had the nerve to raise my own meat. But I don't. I am such a softy (or nut) that I spent $300 on an exotic animal vet bill when three of the ducklings had bumblefoot (which is nearly better now). Needless to say, I would be a terrible farmer.

As far as these drakes are concerned, I want them in pet homes because I hatched them. I turned their eggs several times a day (and I talked to the eggs....how's that for being a crazy duck lady?), I hovered over the incubator (is that why it's called a hovabator?) while they pipped then hatched, and I have spent quite a few hours out in the yard just sitting with them while they play around me as if I were their mama. I love them, and I want them to have good homes.

I am a huge advocate of responsible animal ownership who has fostered and placed countless rescue dogs at my own expense, and I will admit that a part of me felt uncomfortable with creating new lives for which I may have to find homes. However, I decided that I would deal with it responsibly by finding good homes for the drakes if I hatched too many. It turns out I do have too many drakes, and I will have to deal with rehoming them now.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I now have a lead on a possible home on a farm which has a petting zoo area that school children visit. The woman has a farm manager and my friend has visited it, so they could potentially live on a nicer farm than ours! If that doesn't work out, I may think about the drake pen idea. I like that, but I do turn everyone loose to free-range, so I would have to figure out logistics....maybe turn out in shifts.....I am sure to get some loud complaints from my ducks and nasty looks from my chickens if I keep some of them penned while others free-range, but that might work.

Everyone have a great rest-of-Thanksgiving-weekend!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Not much to add on the drake issue itself, but we have some of our chickens separated right now and do shifts with them. If you wanted to keep a separate pen for just the males-it could work. On days that I am home, a group comes out for a few hours, then I switch. I put them back and let the others out. On days that I am not home all day, I have a family member let a certain group out all day then the next day, the other group comes out for the whole day. Not an exact science, just wanted to add that it can work.

 

[rainplace]

I wouldn't bother feeding the troll. It's obvious they like the attention. Why give the troll what it wants?

To the OP, it's very difficult in my part of the world to get rid of drakes. Right now I can't give them away for free, but they have to go... I hope you find a solution that works for you. You may want to make a bachelor pad like L0rraine.

 

[desertdarlene]

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I like this idea for those who have the room.

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

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I'm all for drakes. I have no desire for the eggs (or babies). I have a start with my bachelor pad with a couple Rouen Drakes...but I plan on adding a few more. I'm sure there are others out there like me, and I'm sure you can find good homes for your boys.