Backyard Ducks and Geese - 9781847971326

This entertaining, clearly written and well-illustrated book is essential reading for all those who want to keep ducks and geese but who only have a small amount of space at their disposal.

There are many reasons for keeping ducks and geese. Not only are they lovely to look at, they will entertain you with their antics and make perfect `pets' for adults and children alike. Ducks will eat troublesome slugs and snails as they follow you around the garden, making `conversation' as they do so. They also produce abundant eggs for eating or decorating and they could, if you so wished, supply you with meat for the table and even feather down for your pillow. Geese on the other hand are excellent lawnmowers, superb watchdogs for isolated places and are intelligent, individualistic and sociable. Both ducks and geese can be exhibited and indeed `showing' is a pastime which is growing in popularity.

More and more people seem to have a few birds on the back lawn, on the ornamental pond or on the smallholding, and as long as you choose the right breed for your requirements, domestic waterfowl can be ideal birds in almost any situation. Less troublesome to keep than chickens, they are hardy and suffer from fewer ailments than other types of poultry.

The author approaches the subject with enthusiasm, and covers a wide range of subjects, including selecting the right breeds, housing, grass runs, ponds, feeding, breeding, hatching, rearing, health and hygiene, showing and exhibiting, and also ornamental waterfowl. However, he does not baulk from discussing some of the negative aspects, and thus provides a well-balanced and informative guide for both the newcomer and the established `fancier' who would like to know more.