I have fond memories from my childhood of raising and releasing Mallards. My mom and her family did the same, so it only seems natural to carry on positive traditions such as this one. In a way, it sometimes feels a little contradictive to our goal of self-sustained living. My brother just last week told me that I should eat a couple of them. And as much as I love wild game, it just didn’t seem right. Not that I wouldn’t eat duck- but their purpose was to be raised and released, and I intended to adhere to that plan. Besides, I feel quite strongly that nature provides us with so many beautiful things to eat and we take her offerings all year round. It only seems right to give back just a little.
Mallard ducklings, May 22nd, 2013
Just four months ago, I told my husband I wanted to get some Mallards. Just two or three, that’s it. Then it was five. Then it was seven…and then an even ten. He didn’t know my plan until they were already on their way.
“TEN?!” he said. Being someone who grew up without animals at all, he didn’t know how he would feel about ducks. But it wasn’t long before he was admitting that he liked ducks. In fact, “Ducks are way cooler than chickens” he says.
During the day, they played and foraged outside and had a 9×9 baking pan as their bath. They loved to swim from day one, as is only natural for ducks :). By night, they slept in an (uncovered) storage tote in the bathroom where I kept on a light for them. My oldest son Wyatt and I would sit in the bathroom in the evening with towels on our laps and snuggle them.
But they don’t stay little long, and before we knew it they were in their outdoor pen in the kiddie pool, loving every moment!
I enjoyed the way the females would yell so loudly when they wanted fresh water or food. I would banter right back at them :). And as they grew and began testing their wings, it was so much fun watching them fly and dive into the pool, excitedly chattering at one another as if to say “Look what I can do! Awesome splash, man! Whoa- you got some AIR on that one!”
But too soon came September, the nights got colder, and the two males out of the group of ten had achieved their green heads (Josh did not want to let them go until they had). It was time to say good-bye.
We gathered them into the kennel- they were terrified and so was I. Just a couple miles to get to the landing of the lake that is pretty much in our back yard. I opened up the kennel and it took a whole second before they ventured out…
…and off they went! SEE YA! they said.
…but then they realized how huge this new pool was…
…and they raced back to shore…
…where they happily bathed and bobbed to their heart’s content. We watched them for about an hour or so…they didn’t miss us. Life was too good for them just then. I had to hold back the tears. My husband reminded me that we had done a good thing. And he’s right…but it is hard to let go. And as tough as it was, I will be doing it again next year. Continue to give back to nature as nature continues to bless us. It’s a beautiful circle! And I’m so blessed to be a part of it.
Mallard Ducks, September 15th, 2013
If you love it;set it free!!! Yes,Beautiful circle of life!!!Love your Blog!
AWWWW, this brought tears to my eyes being a duck lover as well. I have never owned any Mallard’s but always admired them. I owned a Peking, only one being a city girl I kind of snuck him in. I dug a pond for him to enjoy in the summer and set up shelter in winter. I would have never thought in a million years I would fall in love with a duck as a pet. He was a sweet pet and even loved to sit on my lap for a pet. I always say I would love to move to a rural area and own some ducks. <3
Oh my, this is beautiful!