Thank you Fancifowl and MsJay, yeah that looks like an ancona to me too, found a picture of a duckling that looked like the little one I had. Weird because the hatchery doesn't list them as being sold, how strange, lol! Now I'm hooked on ducks too, hee hee! The pekin doesn't seem to friendly, he/she doesn't like to be picked up, too bad the duckie didn't imprint on me, oh well. Heres the pics of the ducklings I found, the one on the far right looks a lot like the one I had, only much bigger. Here is a link that might be useful: Duckling picture (eighth picture down)

Hi RoxtheFox. I think you're doing great with little whistle. Don't let the others get you down! I gernerally trust feed store owners for advice more than vets. Vets don't like it that the feed stores carry almost as many medications as the vets do, so I think the see them as a nasty little competitor. I alwas take my questions to my local feed store. Just doesn't sound like yours has a very good cage side manner! But I like the diet he gave you much better than the idiot vet. LOL one thing you might get him is a small kiddy wading pool. Ducks love to swim! But ducks are perfectly happy outside, and can stand quite cold temperatures. So unless you live at the nort or south pole, a good outing every day will make him a very happy duck! Now you have to remember that ducks bond very easily with ANYTHING. If you can't be with him 24/7 I would definitely get him a playmate or two. Maybe one of the opposite gender, and then raise a family of them if you have the space. As for the kind he is, I don't know. His colors will become more vibrant if he is a HE, and stay drabber if he is a she. Also, female ducks are the ones that really make a good quacking sound. Males (adult) sound like the can barely get out a whisper, and always sound as if they have a frog in their throats. Also when they are filly grown, a male will have a curly feather on top of his tail where the tail joins on to the butt. As for the dogs, dogs love to play and chew things. They may or may not intentionally try to hurt him, but may get too rough in play and hurt him accidently. Id make sure he has a safe place to be when you're not there to keep a watchful eye on them. Mostly, please remember that emotional bond is ver strong between a duck and his MOMM, or between mates. I had a pair once, and the female unexpectedly died. The male wouldn't eat, drink, sleep or anything. Within a week he grieved himself to death. There are many birds that are like this I say you're wonderful for rescuing him, and it sounds like you're doing a GREAT job of caring for him. Just give him a lot of love, and you'll have a great little friend. And the dogs can learn that he's part of the family and may actually protect him. But keep a close eye on that at first. Good Luck!

Every spring I have duck visits to my pond.I have been told by 2 pond experts that they carry diseases and parasites and that I should shoo them away.I do shoo them away because I don't like the big globs of poo they leave in and on the rocks around my pond.I just don't like the idea of rain h20 washing that poo from the rocks into my pond.I mean big globs!!I don't feel bad about this because there is plenty of h2o around here There is a creek behind my yard.When I shoo them they go swim in the creek.I have been told ducks will eat fish.I have never seen them trying to eat mine.

Arley, the duck gumbo sounds delish & will be added to my repetoire(sp?). Minette, I cooked duck breast the other night according to the directions in the June issue of Bon Appetit & it was better than I've ever had in a restaurant. Pound flat to 1/2" thick. Score the skin side into the fat in a 3/4" diamond pattern & saute skin side down in a little butter in a med-hot pan for 5-6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium & saute other side for 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat, tent with foil, & let rest for 10 minutes to absorb juices. Slice & serve on a warmed plate. It was so good, I felt guilty having it when DH wasn't home, LOL!