[DartmoorLiz]

Hi,


Does anyone know anything about re-homing ducks who are past their commercial best? 


I re-homed some ex-battery chickens some time ago and, whilst I loved the re-homing aspect I found chicken's scratch and peck nature too destructive of the garden.  We already have ducks and have loads of room for more and as ducks can do no wrong ...


Any thoughts?

[doganjo]

Are there such things?    I didn't know there were commercial duck egg factories - I'd have rehomed some ducks if I'd known before..

[devonlady]

I've always found ducks more trouble than chickens in that they dibble holes everywhere. But geese, apart from frightening the grandchildren are the dearest things. I suspect that commercial laying ducks meet their end in the Chinese take-away

[Womble]

But geese, apart from frightening the grandchildren are the dearest things.

Hang on a sec, ours have destroyed most of their house, the electrics on my trailer, half a dozen apple saplings and the chassis of a VW Polo! At least it's not the breeding season, so I can go and let them out without fear of being bitten on the bum. Sweet dear little things?  Not ours!! 

[devonlady]

Ah well, apart from their inquisitve natures they are dears

[Fleecewife]

I too thought ducks wouldn't thrive in batteries so are always reared as outdoor flocks, with access to nest boxes.  I've not heard of a recue system, but then I probably wouldn't.  Interesting though 

For me, ducks produce far too many horrible voluminous green droppings all over the grass and in their houses - give me hens, although I wouldn't let them in the garden, except the veggie patch, where they're great at scratching up pests and clearing annual weeds.  Ducks are even worse in a garden, or our Muscovies were - their feet are so big they flatten everything.

[lord flynn]

wasn't there a big 'rescue' down south a while back, can't remember the details but there were hundreds of ducks going due the farmer's contract being broken or something? of course, some people just released them onto local waterways  and they then needed further rescuing from that.

with my cynics hat on, I can't help but think someone is making money out of rescuing ex-bats and I am not talking the farmer here either but if people are happy with that then I guess its fine.

I don't grow food and currently have a pony on what was my lawn so not too bothered about damage by animals  .

[Clansman]

I think there is a bit of confusion going on here,

In the UK, ducks aren't kept in battery cages, they are usually kept inside on open floor systems or free range (very few are free range)

I assume they are laying ducks Liz?

They should adapt pretty quickly to life outside and will still lay plenty eggs for a few years.

[Clansman]

with my cynics hat on, I can't help but think someone is making money out of rescuing ex-bats and I am not talking the farmer here either but if people are happy with that then I guess its fine.

Thats exactly my train of thought 

I see a lot of 'Rescue' birds being sold (or donations asked for) for anything up to £5 each, I can buy POL hybrid layers from a farmer near me for £7 each! 

Years ago when I worked on battery farms if anyone wanted some birds when they were about to be depleted we would ask for £1 and they could take as many as they wanted.

I understand its not about the money and people just want to save a few birds and give them a better life but these birds are worth very little in financial terms so asking £5 each for them is a huge markup for anyone doing the 'rescue'

[DartmoorLiz]

Thanks all for your comments.  I'm sure people make money from ex commercials but they have a lot going for them - really good egg laying blood lines, only just past their eggy best and they're ducks!  Our ducks here are truly free range, have never been foxed and there's a choice of ponds and baths for them to take a dip in if it ever stops raining.  OH wants proven eggy ducks and where better than ex commercials?


The current flock's egg laying is unenthusiastic (rehomed and POL auction for £5 each). Can anyone point me towards a source of some really good egg ducks near West Devon?

[Backinwellies]

what breed are your ducks?   Can't beat  K. Campbell's for egg laying

[DartmoorLiz]

They were labeled k Cambles and white cambles but the whites must have some call duck in them.  I love them, they are currently preening on the lawn and dabbling in a tiny pot of rain water. 

[Clansman]

The current flock's egg laying is unenthusiastic (rehomed and POL auction for £5 each). Can anyone point me towards a source of some really good egg ducks near West Devon?

Are you using any artificial lighting Liz?

We currently have 10.5 hours natural day length, even commercial layers will need around 16 hours light before they will lay a decent amount of eggs

[Backinwellies]

My 7 (5 KC's and 2 runners) are laying 5 eggs a day ..... day length doesn't affect KC's as much .... they did stop a bit last month to moult.

[doganjo]

I think something must be taking eggs from mine - none for 3 months, they were laying fine before that. Even kept tehm in till 12 today - not a sausage!