Would you sell your chickens/ducks to someone who...

[TattooQ27]

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Oh my, that is terrible! I'm sorry for your loss (

 

[duck walk]

it is somewhat of a tough call and here is my 2 cents...kids get bored with things really fast and mom better be prepared to be mother duck as I am afraid they will end up being hers alone to tend to...ducks surely are not toys...mom needs to educate herself so she can educate the kids and supervise them with any and all pets...

I still have nightmares about the post Easter chicks, ducklings, goslings and rabbits my father would bring home from his city routes about two weeks after Easter...a lot of them were injured by kids tossing them around and mis handling them...many were starved because people did not know how to feed them properly...a lot of them were dirty...I guess people did not realize that the little fuzzy things would eat and poop a lot...

With that past experience, I would really have to have a brain fart to let kids have the ducklings...I would, if I let them, hand them a "how to" flyer on care and feeding and make contract to take them back if the people got overwhelmed...

just some thoughts...

 

[destinduck]

1 and 3 is way too young! hope the mom is truly who wants em. Like every one says educate her the best you can

 

[redhen]

If you are so worried..then dont sell the ducks..

If you want to sell them..just be nice and tell the person the correct way to care for them. Thats all you can do, really. Because after you sell them..its really none of your business what they do with their ducks...
So if you are worried, give them care sheets..thats about all you can do... or just simply dont sell the ducks to them..

 

[TattooQ27]

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Thanks for your opinion. I agree with you. People don't know how to care for them properly and they don't understand that as you said "the little fuzzy things would eat and poop a lot...". They also don't seem to understand that while a brand new duckling is pretty easy to catch, hold, handle....that a full grown duck would prefer never to lay eyes on a human unless they were getting treats. They don't like to be held or pet. I do think I will print up a care sheet to give this woman when she comes to pick out her ducklings and then hopefully she will either educate herself or decide not to buy them.

 

[TattooQ27]

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Yes I agree. If mom said it was her who wanted them then I would feel much better. I will try to teach her what I know and hope for the best but have a return contract for if she changes her mind once she has them.

 

[TattooQ27]

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I am planning to hold the ducks for her until they are old enough to not need to be in a brooder anymore but I am letting her pick the ones she wants out ahead of time. I am going to give her a care sheet when she comes. Thanks!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I am planning to hold the ducks for her until they are old enough to not need to be in a brooder anymore but I am letting her pick the ones she wants out ahead of time. I am going to give her a care sheet when she comes. Thanks!

yup..thats what i would do too... give her a care sheet...i bet they will treat the ducks fine!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

If your gut is telling you not to sell to her, then don't sell to her. I've had to turn down many people wanting to buy chicks at the fair because I didn't think they would be capable. However, I've also decided to sell to teens and young adults because I knew they were going to be responsible.

If she does not have a set up prepared for them, then that sends up a major red flag for me. Those ducks will most likely be killed very quickly, especially since it is spring and they will be so young. If you feel funny telling her why you won't sell her ducks, just say you cahnged your mind and you won't be selling them afterall.

 

[harryg6167]

I like the idea of the care sheets a lot. Maybe someone could even go as far on the different
poultry threads here on BYC and make a care sheet for the different groups of
poultry and it would be available for printing off when needed?
I could have used a care sheet the other day but was able to find out
all I needed to fairly easy enough.
I just got geese for my 12 & 13 year olds from the feed store. They also bought 2
mallards about 3 weeks old. They are at an age though that they know the
responsibility of owning and caring for their animals. They tend to all the poultry,
feed, water, gather eggs, clean out coops and pens. They will also help
to process the birds although all I have done at this time with the was quail, but hey it's a start.
They both have their own birds with plans for breeding and hatching and now want BYC usernames. Have I ruined my kids already?