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

[PeepsInc]

I had call ducks,that were killed by a dog. Even tho we have 50 chickens, my son would spend all his time with those ducks. He would sit with them & feed them moths & dandelions all day. They've been gone for a year, RIP. My son said to me just the other day, how much he misses feeding his ducks. Even tho their not a handle able animal, kids can still enjoy them a great deal. I would be clear with the buyer about what to expect,& what they will need for supplies. Then let the parent decide if ducks are rite for their situation. At Least then the buyer can make an informed decision, unlike the spur of the moment buyers that clean out TSP's ducklings with no idea what their getting into........................PS. any body got Call Duck Eggs yet?

 

[Keene's coop]

did you know how to take of yours at first?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Yes...that's what reading and research does. It lessens heartache by both sides when they find out that their birds have died.


I guess I'm not the norm though? I had always thought it was better to know what you were getting yourself into instead of hitting the ground running and then running right into a pothole.

 

[ChickyLaura]

I love the idea of a care sheet! Maybe you could give it to her before she gets the ducks so she could read over it and give her time to really think about it. I didn't know what the heck I was getting into. I'm so glad I took the time to learn! "Chickening" has been the best hobby I've ever had!!! My kids have learned a lot about caring for another living being, and birth, life, and also death (unfortunately).

 

[destinduck]

could you get em back if they tire of them? hopefully they will love them and have more ducks. You wont know till ya try.most of us got started just like this!

 

[FairfieldChicks]

I would check to make sure she can ahve everything she needs to provide for them... food, shelter, large pool or pond... and anything else you can think of. Alow her to take one, and make sure you can check on it regularly and let her know to contact you asap if she has any questions or anything happens. Let he know your door is WIDE open if she changes her mind or if you think things arent going well.
I had sold my chicken to a young mom in town, found her posting an ad for free chicken a week later, and completly freaked out because she didnt even offer her back first... however I did get to go pick her up that day, and needless to say, she was in great health and I got a free 20$ out of the deal with no harm done(sold her for 20$, got her back for free), and hopefully she learned from the experience.
Just make sure she knows to contact you for ANYTHING at all, and keep checking up to make sure it all goes well.
If it seems to be too much of a concern, trust your instinct and keep your babies home. Goodluck

 

[silkiechicken]

Everyone starts somewhere. If you think they have the potential to learn how to take care of them, I would go ahead and sell them ducks and let them know you are there for support and give them a list of stuff. The way I think about it is, if I'm willing to help someone out to get started, might as well, or they may just go to a feed store and buy chicks without support so to say and "doom" the birds.

 

[TattooQ27]

Quote:
I do think kids can enjoy them, my older kids (11 and 8) love my ducks. This persons kids are not even 1 and 3ish. At that age (from my experience as a daycare provider) they want to actually play with animals and aren't happy to just sit and watch them. My 1 year old wants to squeeze them and pet them, she isn't content with just tossing them food.

I do agree that she needs to know what to expect and perhaps I will have a return policy in case it's doesn't turn out the way she expects. I don't like to do that generally but in this situation it might make me feel better. I do wish she at least had a predator safe place to put them overnight. At 2 months old they really can't defend themselves.

 

[DuckLady]

I was helping with Chick Days at a farm store a few years ago. I saw a little girl pick up a duckling by the neck and drop it back in the tub when it pooped. I explained to her about how to handle ducklings and she gave me major attitude. "They are only ducklings. The store has lots...so what if one gets hurt", she said smugly.

When her daddy came to ask me questions about the ducklings, she was standing there with a look on her face I wanted to smack off. I informed him that I felt his daughter was not mature enough to own animals until she realized that they are living beings and dangling them by their necks and dropping them doesn't show responsibility.

He turned to her and said "Did you do that?" she gave HIM attitude and he grabbed her by the arm, thanked me and left. Without the ducklings.

 

[saddina]

One thought...

If someone (not on BYC) asked I'd tell them the chickens, bunnies and quail are the boys. But as the mom I knew that the responsibility flows uphill to me to make sure the animals are treated well. We feed, water and scoop as a family. So, for me "getting them for the kids" by itself isn't a red flag. But make sure mom knows they poop alot and eat flowers, which is why a run is reccommended.