There are several ways to help me find a good home! Don't just leave me!

We occasionally read or hear about tragic stories of people dumping ducks, chickens, and other birds in dumpsters or outside.  There is absolutely no reason to ever dump birds in an environment where they cannot survive.  All birds, especially domesticated ducks and chickens, have value and can be given a good and purposeful home.

Many people do not realize that most ducks and chickens one comes into contact with are domesticated breeds.  Thus, they had their wild instincts bred out over time in order to achieve the most desirable farming traits.  They will not adapt to a wild environment in most situations, and certainly should not be killed or dumped simply because they are unwanted.

If you have ducks or chickens which you cannot care for or do not want, please do not destroy them.  These are several key options which you can pursue to find them an adequate home, all of which require little effort.

How to find a good home for unwanted ducks or chickens -

• Post an ad for free ducklings or chicks on Craigslist.org .  People all over the country raise ducks and chickens for a variety of beneficial purposes including egg production, pets, and as meat.  If you simply advertise on Craigslist that you have some free birds available to be picked up, you will receive plenty of interest.  Often time times, a good home can be found within a few hours.
• Look for people seeking ducks and birds in your area on farming message boards, such as BestFarmBuys.com or AgriSeek.com . If you find the right person, you may even be able to sell you birds and make some money.
• Contact a local farm or hatchery and ask them to take the birds.  There are countless places which raise birds for a variety of purposes all around the country.
• Contact a local wildlife rehabilitater or waterfowl rescuer.  While this a great option and a valuable resource, these valuable people are very busy.  Thus, it may be better if you attempt one of the options above prior to contacting a rescuer.
• Contact your local Fish and Game department.  Again, this option should be used only when you’ve attempted the first three options.

Why would anyone choose to raise waterfowl?

A countless many enjoy participating in this endeavor for a wide variety of reasons including -

• Pets – Waterfowl make great pets as one watches their growth, behaviors, and playful antics.
• Shows – Raising waterfowl for shows and exhibitions is a highly engaging and competitive pursuit.
• Farms – Waterfowl provide excellent farming assistance as they are avid controllers of insects and grass in their environments.
• Food – Historically, waterfowl have been prominent food source. People consume the meat and eggs, yielding exquisite dishes.

Today, the typical reason people have waterfowl is to keep as pets. They provide countless hours of enjoyment through observation and interaction. If one raises a duck or goose from its infancy, they can grow to become excellent companions.

Ducklings are ridiculously cute

Also, Showing ducks and geese at fairs and poultry exhibitions provides fulfillment for the farm hobbyist. These events serves as venues for breeders and hatcheries to showcase their unique flocks and network with other enthusiasts.

On a farm, waterfowl can provide many benefits to the crops and environment. For example, ducks and geese can serve to weed and remove harmful insects from grasses, crops, and gardens through with their avid foraging. Furthermore, many environmentally conscious farmers utilize waterfowl to accomplish this task as it is a natural and organic alternate method as opposed to herbicides and insecticides.

Ducks patrol and maintain their grounds.

Finally, waterfowl are source of meat and other products which provide tremendous quality and functionality. Duck has always been a staple meat to many cultures. Furthermore, feathers offer soft and warm stuffing for pillows and coats. Even the fat can be used to make shortenings and hand cremes!

With such a wide range of uses, raising waterfowl can appeal to many tastes and functions. If you are interested in raising waterfowl, learn some breed-specific waterfowl information and order some ducklings to get started!