Basic Care and Other Facts

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TRUE OR FALSE

  1. DUCKS CAN LIVE TO 20 YEARS; GEESE 40: TRUE
  2. DUCKS/GEESE MAKE GREAT OUTDOOR PETS AND INDOOR PETS. INDOOR DUCKS CAN BE DIAPERED: TRUE
  3. MOST DOMESTIC DUCKS CAN NOT FLY: TRUE
  4. A DOMESTIC DUCK CANNOT SURVIVE IF DUMPED ON A LAKE OR POND, AND THIS ACT IS ILLEGAL: TRUE
  5. DUCKS AND GEESE GROW VERY FAST AND LOSE THEIR "CUTE FUZZY" LOOK QUICKLY: TRUE
  6. DUCKS AND GEESE EAT, POOP AND QUACK OR HONK A LOT: TRUE
  7. DUCKLINGS OR GOSLINGS CAN AND WILL DROWN IF LEFT IN WATER UNSUPERVISED IN THEIR FIRST THREE WEEKS OF LIFE: TRUE
  8. A DUCK/GOOSE BONDS ON YOU AND EXPECTS YOU TO PROTECT, WARM, FEED, CLEAN AND LOVE THEM: TRUE
  9. DUCKS & GEESE CANNOT SURVIVE ON BREAD ALONE. ACUTALLY THIS IS LIKE FEEDING A CHILD NOTHING BUT JUNK FOOD ALL OF IT'S LIFE: TRUE
  10. DUCKS, GEESE AND CHICKENS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE EASTER TOYS: TRUE

OTHER FACTS AND SUGGESTIONS

  1. Before getting a duck or goose check with the city you live in for any restrictions for keeping them as pets.
  2. Ducklings and goslings must be kept in some type of enclosure with a heat source until they are at least three week old.
  3. Ducklings or goslings should not be handled by young children, unsupervised.
  4. Most domestic ducks cannot fly (the exceptions are; Muscovy's and Bantam's) and therefore cannot escape predators. If you plan to keep them outside they will need a covered predators proof enclosure, info on building a "duck house" at http://www.liveducks.com/
  5. Ducklings and goslings should not be allowed into water, unsupervised, until they are three weeks old. They do not have the oil protection they would have if they were raised by their mothers. Until their own oil glands develop they can and will become water logged and drown.
  6. More and more people are looking at a duck or goose as an indoor pet. For easier care you may want to consider diapering, yes I did say diapering, available at http://www.thegoosesmother.com

BASIC CARE AND FEEDING

Your duckling or gosling will need a small box, plastic rubbermaid or a pet carrier are good examples, for it's first few weeks of life. Babies should never be placed on a slick or uneven surface, so a towel or some sort of non-skid surface will need to be provided. They will need a heat source, a heating pad or a lamp (one that can clamp on to the edge of their box) are some good examples. Be sure that they can get away from the heat source if they get too warm. This housing will need to be cleaned frequently. Dirty conditions breeds illness. A stuffed toy can provide comfort as will as warmth if you have a lone duckling or gosling. They will need clean water and fresh food at all times. "Start and Grow" available at your local feed store, until they are feathered out and Purina Mazuri for adults. Never feed them medicated poultry feeds.

"CAUTION"

  • Ducks love shiny metal - coins, screws, nuts and bolts, bits of wire, jewelry, safety pins, staples, bits of aluminum foil, etc. - and they will swallow these things.

    Ducks become gravely ill from what's called "Hardware Disease".
    Hardware Disease is nearly always fatal or at least can require risky and expensive surgery.
    Make sure your home and yard, anywhere your duck will be, are free of any small metal objects which are within reach of your pet. Make sure such items are unlikely to fall onto the floor, and advise everyone else in your household of this danger.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

Keep them Clean, Keep them Warm, Keep them Dry, Remember their Food,

Remember their Water and Remember LOTS of TLC.

There are many Web Sites available to answer questions and assist you,

check my links page for just a few.

 

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