I am getting them for our back yard pond and they are sooo cute. We have had them only a few days and they are already tame and know us. I found out that they will be laying eggs too when they are older! yum! I have pictures on my website. Please meet Daisy and Darla

[Rhapsody]

Sounds like a lot of fun.... I hand raised a baby mallard for a few months when he lost his mom - his name was Quackers (my kids named him).

They are a lot of fun, more social than I thought. The other day it was really warm and we put them outside and they went nuts! They loved it! They are in our bathtub because they have grown so huge but are still too small for the weather outside. My Newfoundland just loves to watch them, I think she thinks they are her babies or something. haha!
I bought an igloo dog house on Craig's list today for $20 for their house outside in winter. I am going to build a cage around the doghouse to put them in at night, for protection from the stray animals. I am trying to design some plants and shrubs around it so it doesn't look bad in my garden.

What did you do with the duck ? From what I have read, once they are used to humans, they stay that way.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by exoticflower

What did you do with the duck ? From what I have read, once they are used to humans, they stay that way.

He went to a rescue for wild birds some where over toward Bushnell, Florida.
I was so happy that he was around other ducks and free to be wild again.

[Taonuviel]

Those are adorable!

[zeldaofhyrule]

Agreed, ducks are awesome lol

[LizzyB]

OMG: I watched the video of the babies! They are SOOOOO CUTE!!!!

Where are the parents?

We have a creek and a wetlands in back of where we live, and there are lots of duckies who nest there. It's hard to catch a glimpse of the babies, though. They have lots of tall reeds where they like to hide.

What kind of dog is your puppy? Looks like a giant poodle, perhaps?

I think you and I have a bunch of things in common. Also in the midwest. Also an animal lover. Also a survivor of child abuse. Also love to do public speaking. And more..... I'm kind of new to PsychCentral. Check out my profile sometime if you like.

Thanks for posting the pics of the duckies. They made my day. Lizzy B

[bearchic34]

Very cool!! My kids have had duck eggs in their classrooms and taken care of the ducklings for a while before they had to go back to their farm and it was an awsome experience for them

[eskielover]

When I was in college, my friend I had from junior high, studied animal behavior. They hatched 2 duck eggs & she imprinted them to her.....it was the funniest thing to watch. She kept them at her home in the city for years & then they became too much of a problem in the city & she had to take them to a beautiful lake area around other ducks & yet around people who would boat around the lake. We went back to the lake a few times & the 2 ducks would come up to her.....remembering her....it was quite am awesome thing to see. I can just imagine if they came up to other people who might be afraid of them pinching them with their bills.....when all they would be doing is looking for my friend.....but I know they enjoyed themselves in their new home.

I was thinking about getting a couple of ducks last month but decided that my 6 eskie dogs were enough to care for right now.....when I get more settled, then I will see about adding to my critter family.

Your ducks are so cute.....You will have so much fun with them I am sure.

Debbie

Hi Lizzy,

I bought them from a farm center for $2.50 each, but the farm center required that you buy 5 so luckily another couple was there, and they only wanted a couple too, so we went in together and bought them.
They are getting so big now, but it is still too cold at night to keep them outside because they don't have their big girl duck feathers yet. But in a couple of weeks they will be outside.
My big Newfoundland puppy wants to play with them so bad. I accidentally left my bedroom door open and she went upstairs where I was keeping them in a big whirlpool tub. My puppy somehow climbed in and was trying to play with them. They were scared to death, but were trying to defend themselves. But my dog didn't hurt them at all, Newfie's aren't known to be, but still it scared me. I am glad I am training her to be okay with all my animals.
They will stay in my garden backyard and I have a big pond for them to swim in, so they will be happy. Then in winter, making a place they can go into the garage to get warm it they want. They normally like the snow and cold though. I will have a covered big pen where they can play and swim when I am not at home or at night, to keep away any stray cats or animals. But during the day I will let them loose in the garden to frolic and forage. They are good for natural fertilizer and bug control (especially slugs).

It is funny how they think I am the momma duck, they follow me all around the yard . IT is so funny! I have to get more pictures and video because they are 5 times bigger than my old pictures.

Thanks everyone for responding, your stories are a lot of fun to read. My house is becoming a zoo, but I love it.