Runners, Khaki Campbells, Swedish Blues, Buff Orpingtons, Rouens, Pekins, Cayugas….we had them all. For many years, every spring I would order an assortment of ducklings from either Clearview Stock Farm and Hatchery or Murray McMurray Hatchery. They would arrive safely in the mail. It was always funny when I had to go to the post office to pick them up and hear the postal workers comment about the continuous chorus of peeps that emerged from the box and the seemingly desperate calls for freedom. “It’s dark in here! Hey…can’t you hear us?? Let us OUUUUT!”
We couldn’t wait to open the highly anticipated delivery to see all those fluffy tiny ducklings only days old. I never had a dead one in the bunch in all those years. We would start them in the bath tub, then as they grew larger (and stinkier!) we transferred them to a space lined with newspaper on the basement floor with a light for warmth until it was warm enough to place them outdoors.
At first, I started them in a kiddie pool and made a little ramp for them to climb up and plop into the water. That was after they had developed the oils needed under their feathers so they could remain buoyant and not drown. As they grew and became familiar with our property, they were released into our pond. But they knew every evening when it was dinner time and would waddle their way up to the backyard where they were fed and then placed inside the barn for safe keeping until morning.
We had quite an assortment of breeds over the years, but Khaki Campbells are known as the chickens of the duck world. They are amazing egg producers, which is the reason we had them. One a day is common. There is nothing that compares to the supreme delight a child (or their mom!) receives when that first egg appears on a sunny morning in late spring or early summer once the days have lengthened and the inward voice of that mature duck says, “NOW!” Soon the others follow, and daily collections are made until one realizes that it’s time to find other duck egg lovers to share the bounty with. The frig looked like Old MacDonald’s – here an egg, there an egg…everywhere an egg-egg. Please! No more!
Ducks can chat quite a bit, though only the females actually quack. Males kind of mumble under their breath, something of a low pitched quack, or maybe a kek-kek-kek…but no quacking. Males also have curly tail feathers, unlike females. Both seem to possess a profuse joy for life as they chase bugs around the yard with their buddies and engage in that humorous ‘rear-end up’ dabbling in the pool or pond. Life is good for these simple-minded birds. Lay an egg, swim, eat, sleep, and everyone loves you. Nice. Here are some fun comments by Khaki Campbell owners well worth reading.
Portage News has published quite a few articles about Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary located in Ravenna. Today, September 5, as I was on their Facebook page and as a duck lover, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the photo (our feature image), which is what reminded me of those duck days of the past. Here’s their post:
The rouens are the featured animal of the week! This is a family of 9 ducks (2 female, 7 male) that are looking for a forever home. Last winter, they were dumped outside on a lake that was freezing over. Being a domestic breed, they can’t fly. So they cannot seek warmer climates or escape from predators. They would just love a big yard and a pond! They are such a gorgeous bunch!
Since we would like to keep this family together, their adoption fee is just $50 for the group. If you are interested in adopting the rouens, please give us a call or send a message to- ashleyk@happytrailsfram.org
Whether or not they will still be available, I can’t say, but I know they have had many ducks in the past are sure to have more if these move to a new home. But there are plenty of chickens that need homes…and other animals as well. Visit their website or Facebook page.