I really have got to quit going to feed stores when I know they have baby birds in there. It's just too dangerous and I know better.
I went to the store to buy a bunch of meat birds to grow out and, of course, there were the cutest little baby ducks in a neighboring bin. Then they told me that they'd throw some of the ducks in with my purchase of meat birds if I wanted them. Well, you already know how that goes from the "Did you buy chickens?" story, right? So I picked out 4 and off we went.
My husband and I had discussed getting ducks a month or so before I brought ducks home, so, I already knew, this time, he was on board before I got them. I just got them a little sooner than we had originally planned. But, he was perfectly fine with that, because he really likes ducks.
Anyway.
In our "thinking about getting ducks" phase, I did a little research and found out that ducks don't have crazy requirements for housing like chickens do. They also don't need nesting boxes (something my husband hated building in our chicken coops.) They just need a simple shelter, space to run and play, preferably with water to play in, and food and water. Easy, right? I also read they were messy. So, what's a little mess? I have 4 boys. How bad can it really be? (Spoiler alert: It's baaayuuud!)
It didn't take long for me to realize that baby ducks aren't like baby chickens. There absolutely has to be another adjective for them. Messy just doesn't cover it!
You give them the least little bit of water and they will make mud, if there is dirt available. If there's no dirt available, they'll saturate anything and everything that is close by. They sling water everywhere while whipping their little heads back and forth, splash water from their beaks while they drink, they stand, splash and play in the least amount of water. They destroyed the bottoms of 2 cardboard boxes that served as brooders in our bathroom before they were put outside. They destroyed the first one and I replaced it with a new one and they destroyed it too. They make a mess of their food by slinging and spilling it, tipping over their food dish by stepping on the side of it with their over-sized feet. You can't win. I'm telling you. You just can't win.
Now, I realize you're thinking it doesn't sound "that bad". Believe me. I read all the internet has to offer about "messy ducks" and I didn't think it sounded that bad either. But when you're cleaning out the brooder box twice a day and cleaning their food and water dishes every hour (I'm not kidding!) , then you'll think "Wow! No one told me how messy ducks are."
And just when you think you're going to pull your hair out over the ducks, they peep and waddle and force you to be more understanding that this is just how God created them and that it's going to be okay.
Our ducks are now outside and have been for a while. They now enjoy lots of space and their kiddie pool where they can splash and play and flap and preen to their hearts content. I could sit and watch them all day and never get bored.
They are absolute proof that God has a sense of humor; with their awkward waddle, the way they dip their heads under the water leaving their feathered butts sticking straight up in the air, the way they eat like toddlers, with food flying in all directions. I can picture God saying, "The world needs something to laugh at and admire all at the same time, so I will give them ducks."
It has been a serious struggle figuring out what these guys need and require and how to properly care for them without the mess, and we are still learning lots as we go, but it really has been so enjoyable watching these little guys grow and mature and develop and I look forward to, one day, enjoying duck eggs and roast duck.
Comments
Post a Comment