1. Good Organic Gardening - January-February 2016

Words Megg Miller
Lots of people adore ducks. They love their daffy behaviour,
comical gait and irrepressible delight in water play. Ducks
are not for everyone, though, especially people living in
densely packed inner cities.
But if you admire their joie de vivre, have snails everywhere in the
garden and are lucky enough to have a leafy area in the backyard,
away from neighbours, then ducks will bring hours of pleasure.
Small is sensible
Like fowls, ducks come in varied sizes and shapes. Bantams have
no large counterpart but miniatures have been bred down from
standard-sized breeds.
Why have a massive Pekin, as impressive as they are, when
you could feed and keep several small bantams or miniatures?
They eat less, require less room and their activity and
athleticism result in fewer leg problems than may trouble
large-bodied ducks.
Small ducks are ideal for time-poor families. Set them up in a
fully enclosed yard with a simple shelter and water facilities and
their demands are minimal.
Available breeds
The cutest bantam is the Australian Call, a very small, very talkative
breed. The females weigh in at 500–900g and a little heavier for
males — just a handful, really. Colour? Pristine white offset with yellow
legs and the bill is beautiful, but other pretty colours are available.
When buying Calls, look for the breed’s distinctive rounded shape,
including a domed head, rounded cheeks and short bill. Think
cuddly. Calls look a little like the kiddies’ yellow bath duck.
Availability is good, too.
Mallards are the most popular bantam duck, probably because
they can be found in numerous attractive colours. They are larger and
longer bodied than Calls; even the bill is noticeably longer. Mallards
have large, well-developed wings, indicating they are excellent
A standard Silver Appleyard shows
the breed’s pretty markings
Chicken Fencing
with inbuilt Gate
Protect your vegetables and flowers.
Create a free range area for your pets.
Suitable for bantams and large hens.
Strong double spike poles.
Quick to erect - no tools required.
Gate for easy access.
Extra high - 1.25m (4ft 1in).
Dark green netting blends into garden.
Available in 12m, 21m,
32m and 42m lengths.
from
$139
12m
makes a 3m square
21m
makes a 5.25m square
32m
makes an 8m square
12m
makes a 10.5m square
Available in four lengths!
FREE DELIVERY!*
Free delivery only applies to Chicken Fencing orders
Quick to erect - no tools construction!
Shutterstock
Order online at
www.omlet.com.au
or call 0448 999877
Good Organic Gardening | 67