Anas platyrhynchos domesticus

...... or as my ornithology coach, Nogbad, would tell me, Indian Running Ducks. He ought to know he is in Barcelona this weekend doing some serious preparations for the Marathon being held there on Sunday. So he's getting his 10+ of Carbs, not a day but hourly. It's hard work sitting under a palm tree and cheering on the participants. Good luck Jemma and Scott.

Late afternoon yesterday, Angie got a call from a friend asking if we would please take two of her four male ducks. Usually an all male flat share works out well but for some reason they started fighting, even though no females around. I guess it's the hormones at this time of year.
Meant having to have two groups and caging them in on alternative days.

Angie's immediate reaction was NO followed by "Will call you back". After all the hassle (and fun) of the geese last year, we weren't too enamoured with more work we have no experience with this type of duck and don't think they would necessarily fit in well with the chicken housing we have.

However, we knew that the alternative for the boys was not rosy. Nobody wants any fowl birds during the current barn ban and certainly not two non-egg producing ones. "Meat" is not a even a first course starter with them either. What remains is the fox.

So needless to say, I was heaved out of bed this morning to recommission the goose house which I had recently spring cleaned and was just about ready to install a sofa, fridge, bottle opener, cigar humidor, ashtray and satellite TV along with a garden spade and sign "Garden Shed". That's my Midsummer Night's Dream burst.

So late afternoon they arrived, short walk around before they inspected their quarters. Seem to be OK but apparently they have never been tamed (spoilt) so a bit nervous.

This evening spent some time reading up about them and they appear to be quite easy and amicable. Even if we won't be having any eggs, at least they should help to reduce the snails. Having said that, with chickens around we don't have many tasteful plants but perhaps this year I might get around to having a vegetable garden again or put them in the greenhouse for an hour or two in the evening when the plants are larger.

AND NO THERE IS NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER THAT WE WILL BE GETTING SOME FEMALE VERSIONS even if the books say they are best in groups with more girls than boys and excellent for training Border Collies on herding. NO NO NO.