What's up with diaper-wearing indoor ducks

[Serin]

I have an indoor pigeon. Chickens and ducks are a bit big for my liking.

I think it's a better life to be a housepet than to be raised on a factory farm, whatever poultry it is.

And if it's young and raised there, that's the life it knows.

Ducks and chickens can be very affectionate and do make good pets.

 

[Serin]

I can see in the various posts involving all the different poultry, there is a divide in how they are viewed because to one person a bird is livestock that they will eat and to another the very same type of animal is a companion and is maybe even viewed as a family member like your cat or dog. So if a duck is just a christmas dinner-to-be to you, keeping it as what seems like a substitute child is ridiculous. But to someone else that duck is their pet. Keeping one duck inside and leaving it alone much of the day would be inhumane, but because it was being left alone, not because it was living in the house. Just my opinion, as someone in the poultry-are-pets camp, it would be hypocritical to a T for someone to rally against well-kept housepet ducks while killing their own ducks for the table.

I accept that we eat these sort of birds, but that should not exclude them from being considered as pets. Cats, dogs, guinea pigs and parakeets also, originally, only lived outdoors. And as unnatural as it may be, with the right attention, they can live happy lives... just as a chicken or a duck can.

 

[Jpat]

 

[Kkrista123]

...it's not duck abuse.... If you think it is, I highly recommend you spend more time learning behaviors of animals. I am in college for that and so is another girl a little older than I on BYC. Her and I both agree on the behaviors we observe from our ducks. I am never suggesting to people to keep a single duck or indoor ducks but I can say, IF done properly there are no negative affects. Out of the kindness of my heart, I think you should check out my youtube channel or more of my post. I NEVER RECOMMEND IT. I simply show the world how in my case I do believe everything's better than fine because I can read the signals of what my duck needs.

I can't tell you what to believe in or what not to and I am certainly not trying to step on your toes, but I can tell you my indoor duck is not neglected. We go on at least 1 long walk everyday and sometimes it's around my house but usually we go to a lake or nature trail (as long as it isn't too muddy- a bit of mud and we still go!) I truly just hope that you understand my duck is well cared for, not neglected and happier than any other duck I have EVER met.

 

[Kkrista123]

I am no youtube super star but check this out.
https://www.youtube.com/user/kkrista10001/featured
If you can find one instance in any of my videos where my duck is unhappy, please do point it out. I do not edit videos or selective shoot. I take videos of daily activities and Gil's reaction to everything. I explain and describe her relationships in posts.

In addition, here is an amazing article. https://www.cuteness.com/article/ducks-show-affection

Here is a quote from it in case you don't actually care to read the whole article, "Because of the deep bond between parent and duckling, human-raised ducks will spend their lives seeking the love and attention of their human companion. Much like the more familiar loyalty of a dog, ducks know who their owners are and regularly express love and recognition affectionately. Ducklings immediately become attached to their parent, which is why one can so often see ducklings marching uniformly behind their mother and nesting close to her." I am not good at citing sources but that paragraph was taken from the article in the link above! Credit to Cuteness.com and the article author, Eleanor Blaine.

Also, I DO NOT USE DIAPERS! I do not think they are the best method because the potty matter is meant to be on the ground, not touching or near the ducks underside. I ONLY use a diaper on holiday's when Gil goes to family members houses. Diapers are not the only method of keeping an indoor duck...

 

[lomine]

I am currently raising a single duckling. Unfortunately she was the only one to hatch. I've got more eggs due Saturday so I'm really hoping she gets a duck pale soon. Till then, she gets to spend all day with me (work from home). She's diaper free. After only 3 days, I'm ready for her to be brooded in the more traditional manner. I don't know how people can deal with this in the long term and I have much respect for those that can keep it up.

I think as long as indoor ducks are having their physical and mental needs met, there's nothing wrong with keeping them inside.

 

[Kkrista123]

I am currently raising a single duckling. Unfortunately she was the only one to hatch. I've got more eggs due Saturday so I'm really hoping she gets a duck pale soon. Till then, she gets to spend all day with me (work from home). She's diaper free. After only 3 days, I'm ready for her to be brooded in the more traditional manner. I don't know how people can deal with this in the long term and I have much request for those that can keep it up.

I think as long as indoor ducks are having their physical and mental needs met, there's nothing wrong with keeping them inside.

It is a lot of work and that is why I would never recommend it. However I would never change it for the world. My duck is my bestfriend and I know I'm hers. She literally tells me! Today she jumped up on the sofa to join me for a cuddle and I said, "What's up? Do you want hugs?" And she came over and wrapped her head over my shoulder. I screamed for my parents to come witness. She is retaining words! She knows tubby time, ducky or Gil (she knows we're talking to her), no and now she knows 'hugs' too!!! These of course are words she hears most often but I am beyond impressed. She asks me for cuddles and I never refuse. They're the absolute best thing in the world. I don't even know if I could describe it. Ever just pet an animal and feel all your stress go away and you just felt so down to earth at that moment in time with that animal? My pets have a way of doing that to me and that's the only feeling I could describe. Everything can be wrong at that moment in time, but I am at peace because all I care about is the little creature that hopped into my lap striving for me. It's truly something that cannot be explained no matter how many ways I say it, only felt and expierenced.

 

[Kkrista123]

Hello BYC, my name is Luke and I am Gil's dad. Krista often reads me the post such as these when there are claims of neglect. I know Krista already had a lot to say here but I need to add something in. You should not comment about anything unless you have done it yourslef. I would not walk around informing anyone on how to fly a plane because I have never done it. I can assure you that Gilberta is beyond well cared for. I do spend a lot of time during the day at work but Gil is with Krista for every second of that. When I get home, both my girls are happy to see me.

In addition, I know BYC means a lot to Krista so I will keep it short and sweet. Good luck, Chile won't pass an abuse law because there would be proof needed of neglect, mis-treatment and a cruel way of life for the animal.

WARNING: DISTRUBING VIDEO

THIS is neglect and abuse. Krista's youtube channel shows the activities we do with our duck that are clearly enriching and entertaining.

I will make sure Krista publicly posts the vets evaluation of our duck when she goes.

Last thing, Krista wanted me to make a byc account but sorry folks, I am not much of a typer or writer so I will leave it to her for now!

Krista told me it was un-nessacary to leave a response here considering she has already done so. I wanted to share my side too though since you guy's only see Krista's and we are the people who bring you Gil's life through her eye's. Isn't Krista's thing Gil's World anyways? Krista dedicates a LOT to this duck, I wouldn't ever put it past her to take care of this duck before herself.

Can you say the same about yourself?

 

[Jpat]

Hello BYC, my name is Luke and I am Gil's dad. Krista often reads me the post such as these when there are claims of neglect. I know Krista already had a lot to say here but I need to add something in. You should not comment about anything unless you have done it yourslef. I would not walk around informing anyone on how to fly a plane because I have never done it. I can assure you that Gilberta is beyond well cared for. I do spend a lot of time during the day at work but Gil is with Krista for every second of that. When I get home, both my girls are happy to see me.

In addition, I know BYC means a lot to Krista so I will keep it short and sweet. Good luck, Chile won't pass an abuse law because there would be proof needed of neglect, mis-treatment and a cruel way of life for the animal.

WARNING: DISTRUBING VIDEO

THIS is neglect and abuse. Krista's youtube channel shows the activities we do with our duck that are clearly enriching and entertaining.

I will make sure Krista publicly posts the vets evaluation of our duck when she goes.

Last thing, Krista wanted me to make a byc account but sorry folks, I am not much of a typer or writer so I will leave it to her for now!

Krista told me it was un-nessacary to leave a response here considering she has already done so. I wanted to share my side too though since you guy's only see Krista's and we are the people who bring you Gil's life through her eye's. Isn't Krista's thing Gil's World anyways? Krista dedicates a LOT to this duck, I wouldn't ever put it past her to take care of this duck before herself.

Can you say the same about yourself?

 

[Animal family]

My two ducks come inside sometimes and if they’re in for a long time I put diapers on them.
First of all, they have each other and are never separated.
Second of all, they like me and sometimes want to hang out with me in the house.
And ducks poop a lot so the diaper works great. They dont mind them and I don’t care what people think.
Just because ducks have traditionally been used as a food animal doesn’t mean they are different than any other creature, wild, domestic, food, or pet.
I try to respect the fact that they like cold and wet and dont want to be snuggled in a blankie, but I baby them as much as possible.
I wish all animals were treated that way.