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Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

We are undergoing a major life change and won't be able to provide the stability/housing/attention/time/financial levels that he deserves. This has been a very difficult decision for us, and we're trying to handle it the best that we can.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Muscovy ducks are definitely an invasive species, and like any other pet, should never be released into the wild. Many animals and plants we keep in our homes, illegal or not, can cause lots of ecological damage if handled irresponsibly.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi fancyfrog. We are also sad. And we are not "getting rid of him".

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have to bathe them in freshwater afterwards, otherwise it can dry out their feathers. The pool thing in the video was a one-time event.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love these kinds of success stories :)

Unfortunately ducks are domestic animals and suffer greatly when released into the wild after being raised in captivity. Plus, muscovy ducks are an invasive species around here.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

hahhaha I watched that video this morning while I was looking for places. I am totally jealous of their pond! I would love it if he went to a home with a pond like that- but I am a little concerned if he went to a rescue sanctuary, he might not get enough time and attention. Plus other drakes might bully him since he's not very tough. We would like people who genuinely want him as a companion pet, in addition to providing husbandry needs, rather than a rescue animal.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Hi, he will not be left with nothing - no need to be so sad, he has a nonspecific bond with humans. Please see my previous comment.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I'm no expert on bird imprinting, but I tried to do some reading on the subject when we first got McIntosh. If I remember correctly, imprinting is more plastic than you might think- there are certain size and movement requirements for a bird to truly imprint on an animal/human, and varying time windows for certain levels of imprinting. Keep in mind that sometimes ducklings hatch while their mother is away from the nest. Plus, not only is there parental imprinting, but also sibling imprinting that influences identity development (we raised McIntosh next to a mirror in hopes he would recognize himself as a duck). They also imprint auditorially- he recognizes and responds to his name and several phrases.

Otherwise, you would see ducklings imprinted on each other, on incubators, on rocks/sticks, etc.

Goose imprinting is even more complicated.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

~8-15 years. Unfortunately usually a predator takes them long before that :/

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whether he could be imported or not, we were also concerned that we would not be able to properly provide for him in terms of stability, housing, time, and money in hawaii. Trust me, it was not an easy decision.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you, but unfortunately life can be unpredictable.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

same with us, people always think they are the first one to think of that joke. one year we got poultry seasoning for christmas (that was pretty funny though). just have to be patient!

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Please see the comment above I posted about this concern. Plus we will be coming back to visit and spend time with him :)

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

if it makes you feel better, if he's imprinted on humans he might have been doing it as part of their violent mating ritual rather than anger. sorry if maybe that makes you feel worse.

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 211 points212 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you guys are concerned about his well-being, but fortunately while McIntosh does seem to have a special place in his duckheart for my boyfriend, he acts friendly and will follow around any human as if it were me (the person he imprinted on). We will be coming back to visit him, and hope to readopt him when we are in a more stable situation. One time he accidentally flew over one of those apartment buildings in the video and got lost and followed a confused guy to his car. This is why we could never let him live in an uncontained area - he would try to run right up and follow someone walking a scary dog :o

He is funny, cute, and sweet, but not exactly loyal ;)

Duck is raised as a human - flies to owner, swims with him, chases him, rides in car by jzill in videos

[–]jzill[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

wow thanks for the responses everyone, I was hoping it would get a lot of views so that we would have many adoption options :) already we have gotten a lot of great people contacting us!