I'm not sure who it was that started the Aussies. It may be who you say. I'll have to look up my info. I know at least one of the 'big shot' bantam duck breeders in PA, Oakes or Sheraw had a hand in it too. Then they went to Holderread, who has been pushing them. I agree with you, there could be a wild species when crossed with the mallard which produced a viable hybrid, or the off chance that a fertile hybrid was produced and used from a cross in which they would normally be sterile. Fertile mules as in horse/ass have been reported. My big question is that with all of this documentation on the origin of the breed, with originators and everything, why is it that no one has once offered to name the mysterious Australian species of wildfowl which was used in the cross? It is my opinion that the reason is that by perpetuating this mystique, it creates higher perceived value for the ducklings in some people who just gobble up the story without question, and want to own some of these new creations. As you see, I'm much more skeptical than you. I also have reservations because of the near impossibility to differentiate the females of the 3 varieties. There is enough confusion among people already regarding proper breed and variety designations, as you know with the African and Toulouse thing that's been going on now for over 100 years. All of the new call varieties, and even some recently recognized breeds such as Welsh Harlequins and Silver Appleyards have confusing colorations that most breeders and judges cannot even agree on. How is one expected to keep pure the different varieties of these Aussies when we can't even tell the females apart? There are differences, I know, but if given one female of each variety, I doubt that there are a dozen people who could tell which one is of which variety. The Anconas, oh boy. I'll tell you now, I'm probably about to insult you. I'll start off by saying that I do support the recognition of a randomly pied duck. I'm not big into pied animals of any species myself, but I believe that there is a place for them, and that they can add another dimention to domestic waterfowl breeding. I even support anyone who creates such a breed, and introduces it to the world for what it is. My big problem here, is the unfounded claims by the breed's originator, Holderread, who claims that they are of ancient English origin. Anyone who has had much experience with Magpie ducks knows that they are extremely difficult to breed with correct markings. Great numbers of offspring are mismarked, but a majority of them still retain a trace of the pattern, with colored feathers concentrated on the head cap and the back. Many, many of these so called Anconas also have the colored feathers concentrated in these areas. There is a close resemblance of Anconas to the many mismarked magpies which occur. As I said, I'd welcome the creation of such a new breed, even if derived from another, as long as it's done honestly. Holderread claims an ancient English origin, but he offers not one reference to the breed before he began offering them. I've done a fair amount of breed history research, and have collected a fairly good library of domestic waterfowl and poultry historical books, and have found not one mention anywhere of these so called Anconas. I've even offered $100 to anyone who could provide me with a written reference to the Ancona duck prior to Holderread. It is my opinion that the Ancona breed was made up, simply as a way to sell mismarked Magpie ducklings which would otherwise be worthless. Holderread has long since graduated from being a breeder with quality stock, to a hatchery business, hatching and selling as many birds as possible. It's a brilliant business move if you're a hatchery to find a way to profit from a formerly unsalable commodity, but where is the proof of these claims which are made? What's worse IMO, is that he's somehow convinced the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy of his claims, and they now pass along the same story. Ironically, neither one pays much attention to breeds such as the Dutch Hookbill, which does have an extensive written historical record, by many early poultry historians, and others, including none other than Charles Darwin himself. My opinion for the reason for that is that the Hookbills are very difficult to hatch, and so will never provide a hatchery owner with much of an income. End of pontification for now. Take it or leave it, but, please, try to prove me wrong. I'll even send you the 100 bucks.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! My friend in Dubai said she would like to take the bird home but that might have to wait until the next week (Dubai is about 200km away from Abu Dhabi). This evening, vet said the bird isn't scared of cats, is extremely sociable, steps up, bows to be scratched, sometimes makes a sound that resembles a giggle. It's nice because we all thought it's more interested in men but there isn't a single male employee at the vet's clinic so maybe we were wrong, it was the bird's first day there - it sure seemed eager to meet EVERYone :D Vet still thinks it's doable (me bringing the bird home) but even though I know now that the bird isn't stressed and seems to be used to cats etc., I don't know my cats' reaction to it. Good enough reason to stay away. Another friend suggested bringing Jasper over to see the bird - I don't know if I'll do that. I'll spend some time with it again tomorrow (my usual volunteer slot for Feline Friends) and try not to fall in love with it LOL I'm also still hoping the original owner contacts the clinic, it would make everyone so happy! Thanks again! Pranjal

Thanks for the responses. I can understand where you're coming from with the wait and see advice. :) I'm here for almost a year now, so this is my first spring here (we've already seen summer, winter and autumn) My adjacent neighbours have unmaintained yards, and I get lots of magpies/birds, so my thinking now is to handle possible weeds as they start small. I have a funny feeling that now that it's warming up, I will be finding more weeds than anything else. I think the grasses in neighbouring areas are 'wild', as they're quite long, and mixed with other things. From what I've read about grass, once they have taken over, the only way to get them out is through major digging. On the other hand, my garden only has a large garden bed, and I was actually craving for grass at some stage, to put my pets on. Can you tell from the following with the bottom right hand corner whether this grass is trouble (crabgrass?)? Does it spread by seed or runners? I guess now I have to learn about grass too (to be able to tell how spready different grass types are etc). Interesting to hear about aquilegia, greenfingers. I'm still confused as they seem to be sold in nurseries around AU. But I guess since it's an annual here, I can always leave a small number in controlled areas I like. It's so nice to have this place to learn from other people's experiences :) :)

i have a backyard flock of 12 hens (soon to be 16) all of who are either in lay or right at the point of lay, and i dont care what anyone says whether you call it a crow or not, my oldest hen who has been laying for the past 7 months now makes the most god aweful noise you have ever heard and to make it worse she is teaching all the others to do it too. now from what i have been told this is quite common practise for hens to do but the reason not many people are privy to the info is that like myne they do it during the day (keep in mind its not to say they wont or cant do it at night ) and because i am a stay at home mum the kids and i spend alot of time with them and we have heard it. i will admit they can be very shy so murphys law is that youll be with them all day and it wont be till you have turned your back on them that they do it i wonder if too they think you wont know who to blame. to be honest i realy feel for you because we too weeded out our roosters and the only reason the hens get to stay is they lay well. on the note of getting roosters to stop crowing try what you like but the fact is who is smarter them or us and look carefuly at the facts now, we are the ones trying hair brained schemes and ripping our hair out and they are laughing in their chickeny voices. my last bit of advice is do what i did and move the coop far far away as far as you can put them on your property, move your bed to the other side of the room and prey, lots and lots of praying cause if god cant shut them up no one can.