Every morning when we let the chickens out of their coop for the day, we are greeted by this scene:
A lovely "wild" Mallard pair eagerly waiting for their snack. They showed up on the creek in November and we threw them cracked-corn. Now it is January and they are part of the morning routine.
As seen here, they even venture into the chicken coop yard to make we don't forget about them. They are not afraid but the chickens will chase them away if their food feels threatened.
Sorry it is a blurry picture - but I had my hands full of chicken-scratch and the camera was on the wrong setting.
All the chicken web-sites, chicken books, and experts agree: Avoid allowing wild game birds into chicken areas to keep diseases and foreign bacteria away from the chickens.
Well, I've been trying, but those ducks want their morning snack! So, I shoo them out of the coop yard and we take a little walk back down to the creek, where I throw the Scratch along the bank.
When we moved, I told Dave I wanted ducks in the spring. We planned on purchasing some Cayuga ducks but now that I have some Mallard friends, I'm content to wait until we are more settled and have a duck home ready.
Besides, I suspect this spring I'll have some more ducks coming to visit for snacks.
What came to my mind was you feeding the ducks like Birdie in Hope Floats after her momma died. :)
Posted by: Julie {Another Chance Ranch} | January 10, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Long time since the last blog!
Posted by: johng | January 10, 2013 at 11:17 AM
they may be winter dwellers... and head north in spring.
Posted by: Pamela | January 10, 2013 at 12:10 PM
We have just two hens and two ducks. I adore our Aylesbury! The drakes are hilarious and protective. Your mallard visitors are real beauties!
Posted by: Flea | January 10, 2013 at 02:08 PM
They are very cute.
Posted by: Brooke - Little Miss Moi | January 12, 2013 at 04:18 PM
What charming visitors you've got! I hope you're right and you have "more" visitors come spring!
Posted by: sayre | January 14, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Quack quack! they are so cute! PBS aired a program on ducks a while back...I didn't catch it all but the little bit I did definitely made me appreciate ducks much more!
Posted by: Claudia | January 17, 2013 at 04:25 AM
The ducks and geese in our community are so aggressive. As you know, I live in an urban setting. My neighbors complain about finding ducks in their pools often. Yuck!
Posted by: Desert Songbird | January 20, 2013 at 07:58 PM