Valdosta Scene August 2022 | Page 46

pet pages

Adopting a pet duck : what you need to know

from Metro Creative Connection

Ducks make adorable pets . Their characteristic gait and cheerful quacking are irresistible . However , they have unique care requirements . Here ’ s what you need to know before adopting a pet duck .

Distressing trends
Recently , it was trendy to take funny videos of ducklings and post them on social media . However , once the buzz was over , many owners couldn ’ t care for their ducks and abandoned them or put them up for sale .
This unfortunate situation is comparable to giving a puppy or kitten to a child as a Christmas or birthday gift . Many people regret this decision once the baby animal grows up and requires a lot of care and attention .
Winning conditions
If you ’ re serious about adopting a pet duck , you must ensure you can meet its needs . Here ’ s what you need to do for your duck :
• Reserve a large portion of land where it can roam freely
• Provide it with a comfortable shelter
• Give it access to an aquatic space like a pond so it can swim
• Provide it with a healthy and varied omnivore diet
• Keep its environment clean by regularly removing excrement from the ground and making sure the water it drinks and bathes in is clean
• Take it to the vet at the first sign of illness
Do you want your duck to live a long and healthy life ? Visit your local farm supply store to get the equipment you need .
Photo by Kerin Gedge on Unsplash
46 Valdosta Scene | August 2022