So much has changed in the almost a decade since I hatched Maggie, my first pet duck. My flock used to be all dwarf mallard and is now all white call duck. And it even once reached 21 ducks in a rather prolific year, but generally I prefer it remain much smaller. These days it numbers 4. An easy number to manage, and introduce you to. Let’s meet my ducks.
Ducks as Pets
First and foremost, my ducks are pet ducks. In France ducks are generally seen as food. Or if not then they are ornamental, in that they look good sitting on your pond. Ornamental ducks tend to be the more exotic types. Wood ducks especially are popular.
Because when I hatched Maggie I had next to no clue about ducks she simply became one of the household. Literally she lived in, and some could argue, ruled the house. She could go where she wanted. Which, yes, meant lots of clean up. (In case you were not aware, and really good to know before you buy a duck, ducks poop. A lot.) But, poop cleaned aside, Maggie was a true pet. And she introduced me to the fact that ducks actually could be pets.
Over Time
Over the years I gave away or sold many ducks. Ducks are also prolific duckling hatchers, so if you have both males and females be prepared. I learned not to name them before finding them good homes to go to. Luckily, I found, it turned out there were quite a few French folk interested in ducks as pets rather than food or simply ornamentation for their ponds.
I also added from outside to my duck flock, mainly to stop duck inbreeding if they were going have ducklings. It doesn’t take much who slept with who to produce health issues in a duck flock. This is how I ended up shifting, quite by chance, from mallards to call ducks. For a short while Louis, my first call duck, was my only spot of white amongst the browns and greens. Then I added more call ducks and next thing I knew I started having paler versions of my mallards or piebalds.
And of course some ducks passed away with time. My ducks held a funeral for my little BeepBeep when she passed. It still remains a most poignant moment in my memories. With time, death and giving away, I had paired down my flock to only three ducks. And we moved to our new home.
Let’s Meet My Ducks
My Mini Medieval Manor was mostly chosen for its garden because it is walled all around and had a built in duck pond. Actually it was a pêchoir, a place to store the fish caught from the nearby river before you are ready to eat it. A way to keep fish fresh in the days before refrigeration. But since I don’t fish myself, it became the perfect duck pond. (Although I am looking into putting fish in it, not for eating, but to help keep the water cleaner.)
I brought with me to my new home my 3 cats, and 3 ducks. The ducks are a boy, Louis, and 2 girls, Macey and Niege. They aren’t imprinted on me, but they are incredibly friendly with me, letting me hold them and happy to be around me and underfoot if I am gardening in particular.
Who They Are
So let’s introduce you to my ducks. Louis has been with me for 6 years now. He came to me from another pet duck owner who had too many males. Louis is a true gentleman, gentle and kind, looking out for the ladies in his flock. He loves being with me, and will seek me out when the girls are nesting. He has to have someone to look after.
Macey is the wife of Louis. Forceful in personality, she has a great gusto for life. She came to me with 3 sisters and was always, noticeably the one in charge. They all followed her, never the other way around. When Maggie died, freeing up Louis from his enthrall, Macey was quick to get in there and establish his focus on her. She knows no fear and is always the one most underfoot, literally, when I work in the garden. (One guess which one she is in the video above.)
Niege is Louis’s second wife, mistress if you will. She’s not forthright enough to fight for the number one spot. She is my dainty girl. The one I am probably most bonded with. She dreams that I would change into a duck and be her partner, but has to make do with being number 2 in Louis’s eyes. Her personality is quiet and trusting. She lives a little in her own world. Occasionally I find her sitting off quietly by herself, taking a moment from the needs of the flocking instinct.
Happy Ducks
My ducks took to their new home faster than I did. They loved the freedom of being able to roam, day and night, in their large protective enclosure. And I learned that a smaller flock is certainly beneficial for me, but even more so for them. Less competition for food of course, but also less competition amongst the flock too. This was notable in their ease of adjusting to their new surroundings and the comfort level they showed. It became a decision to make certain to keep my little flock little.
Except.
Macey
Macey was so comfortable in her new home she became broody. Too broody. Like 6 and counting nests broody this year, including 2 this autumn. This is in contrast to no nests the previous year when she was housed elsewhere whilst I had to work away on a canal barge. She’s making up for lost time, as well as showing me how comfortable she feels in her new home.
I take her eggs, whittling them down to one and eventually break the brood without ducklings resulting. Except. Ducks are sneaky and figure out that you are doing this. And start laying more or hiding a new nest, or sitting on only 1 or 2 eggs to stop you taking them. Macey did manage to get one nest past me when I had to be away for awhile guiding. This resulted in 3 ducklings. But her continued brooding meant she abandoned them young, creating their own little isolated flock. So I found them a better home of their own.
Niege
Niege has been more normal in her nesting needs. Waiting until warmer weather. Taking her time about it and giving me no troubles. I dutifully took her eggs too, but as she nested during the height of my guiding season she too took advantage of my being away. She hatched 3 ducklings as well, but sadly Louis or Macey killed two of them. I suspect Macey and that they were female. Sometimes the ducks will kill ducklings if they will weaken the flock through illness, disability or too many of one sex (eg competition).
Unlike Macey, Neige took to being a mother of her duckling and bonded strongly. So strongly I didn’t have the heart to part them. In addition, as it was only the one duck, I was loathe to give him away to a strange flock. So, meet…
Leopold Augustus III
My flock is now four. Little Gus gets to stay. And he is as cute as anything. As he knows no other home he is truly comfortable in his place. He’s not alpha, that falls to Louis, so his personality peeks out now and then, and more so as he gets older and more sure of himself. He is smart and learns quickly from the others, watching to see what they do and then following behind.
His teenage phase included of loud calling when the others were out of sight. Calling for Mom! at any little panic. Honestly boy, the garden is not that big, they are just behind that bush! You might guess I’ve done a lot of sighing with laughter. Slowly, as he grows into adulthood these panics are lessening and he is becoming more independent. And quieter. And thank goodness he is male, they are much quieter then the girls.
And Now…
We are slowly settling into the cooler months. Louis is happy he now has a bigger flock to take care of. King of his flock, he takes his role very seriously. He is the one that calls me to tell me it must be time for their food, and especially mealy worm treat (mornings and evenings). Little Gus knows the sound of my voice and if he hears me inside talking to the cats, calls me to come visit (and feed him more mealy worms please!).
I sit most evenings in my garden, whilst the temperature still allows me to do so, so I can enjoy their antics. As darkness descends it’s perfect bug hunting time. I watch them, almost ghost like in their whiteness, scoot about the plants, beak down, hoovering up any unsuspecting insects en-route. It is better than TV any day.
More My Duck Musings
Should you wish to learn more about ducks, and what it is like to keep them as pets, I have written a number of posts for my Duck 101 – Learning About Ducks. This covers everything from Diapering your Duck (yes it is possible), to Do Ducks Grieve (yes, they do).
If you would like, you can read Maggie’s stories, from beginning to end. She taught me everything I know.
If you like what you read, consider joining in and Nourishing Pumpjack & Piddlewick. Or if you prefer, shop in My Shop. Lots of vintage and antique fab finds from France. And of course there is a duck section. Here’s a peek…
Simply click on a link to see more.