I feel I should let you know a bit about my outlook on keeping ducks.

When I first purchased those 6 ducklings from the feedstore, I knew I could only keep 3 as adults with the space and housing I had at the time. I had no idea that anyone would buy adult ducks ( that seems so silly now). But because of that, I assumed I would have to eat the extras. Which is what I did. I even ate a Khaki Campbell hen. What a foolish thing to do! But because I got into this hobby partially as a food source, that prepared me for the responsible management of the drake to hen ratio and what to do with deformed or injured birds. I once read that runners are not a beginners breed. Since I had only had Whitey and a few other production quality runners at the time, I thought that was a ridiculous statement. But having had some show quality runners and their offspring, I would have to agree with that now. The more highly bred (closely bred, line-bred, in-bred or whatever you want to call it) the more likely your chances of having to deal with genetic deformities. So I am in the process of completely redoing this site to include that side of my experiences with runners. No, I won’t be including a step-by-step guide on how to cull and cook your birds. But I did take pictures of the deformed ones I got this year. If you are going to pursue show quality, you need to go into it with your eyes open. Even world-renowned breeders can still produce genetically deformed birds. They may be otherwise healthy and active, but they don’t belong back in the gene-pool. By the same token, it is that same close breeding that has produced some truly stunning birds. Some of which I have had the pleasure of owning. In addition to the genetic defects that may require culling, I also can’t see spending a fortune on sick or injured birds. That is not to say that I won't some day since I have several that are cherished family members. But by and large, I try to keep things in financial perspective. Those that have not distinguished themselves in some way and are injured beyond repair, but otherwise healthy, are eaten so as not to waste them. Some have been just too much a part of the family to even consider that and were given a proper burial. More on those things in the pages I’m building in the coming months.

One last thing on the culling subject. Whether the bird has a permanent pardon or is destined for the dinner table, I treat them all alike. I do my best to provide a clean, safe and entertaining environment. These are highly active birds with a lot of personality and curiousity. They form bonds with each other and get upset when they are separated but still within earshot. So while most sources will tell you to pen up cull birds overnight without food, I don’t. I leave them with their buddies until the moment I am ready to “do the deed”. So while I may eat some of my birds, they are allowed to live as happy a life as possible until that time comes. As innocent animals, they deserve nothing less. If I could keep and raise ducks without eating them, I would. Culling is a project I really DON’T enjoy. If nature would provide 3 to 5 hens per drake and all were genetically sound, I would be ecstatic!