Meet Our Ducks: Meadow View Ranch's First Flock

Since our ducklings made their grand appearance in the beginning of May, we've shared a few details about them. However, we've only talked about the flock as a whole and have never introduced each individual bird.

That's partially because the ducklings didn't have names for what seemed like an eternity. We also wanted to give them time to grow and mature so we could learn a bit more about their personalities.

To be honest, even though the ducks all have their own quirks and unique markings, it can still be difficult to tell them apart. The hens, in particular, all look remarkably similar. Because their markings change a bit whenever they molt, telling them apart often comes down to their size, the amount of black spots on their bills, etc.

However, naming them seems to make it easier for me to remember who is who. As they continue to mature and show us even more of their personalities, I'm sure it will become even easier to tell them apart. And now that we have pictures of each of the ducks along with their names, I'll be able to confidently identify them.

You've patiently waited five months to officially meet our first flock—so let's get to it!

The Drakes

Male ducks are called drakes. We have two of them currently; while we would love to keep them both, we'll need to consider other options if they start to become aggressive with each other or the girls. For now, though, they are both great protectors of the flock.

Cilantro

Cilantro loves to explore the pond.

I know parents aren't supposed to have favorite children, but Cilantro is quite possibly my favorite duck. When he was a small duckling, he was the friendliest of the bunch; during swim time he'd sit near me in the tub and adorably stare at me the entire time. He is still the friendliest of the ducks, though he's more interested in his hens now than me.

Wasabi

Wasabi is a fierce protector of the flock. He had to make sure I wasn't going to harm his girls before he'd let me come closer.

Wasabi is a big, beautiful drake. Though he's not as friendly as Cilantro, he will occasionally wander over to me to check me out. So far, him and Cilantro are friendly with each other and don't cause any trouble. He is an avid forager and often leads the flock to new snacking spots.

The Hens

Just like chickens, female ducks are called hens. We've been blessed with four healthy, happy hens. Though they haven't yet laid eggs, they love to explore the pond and pasture, gobbling up grasshoppers and weeds along the way.

Here's a fun duck fact: hens are the only ones who make the "quack quack" noise. Drakes instead make a very quiet, raspy noise. It sounds like they have a bad cold! Because of this, the hens are the first ones to alert us to any potential predators or changes in their environment.

Basil

Basil has striking eye stripes and beautiful coloring.

Basil is my favorite of the hens. Though none of our ducks comply entirely with the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection, Basil most closely resembles the ideal Silver Appleyard. She is also one of the friendlier hens. If we decide to breed any of our hens, we'll use Basil.

Cayenne

Cayenne is a bit of a talker!

Cayenne got her name from the red coloring on her head. This is called a "hood" and is actually not a desirable trait in Silver Appleyard ducks. Ideally, they would only have a red stripe running down the back of their neck. However, we still think that Cayenne is a gorgeous duck. The angle of the picture doesn't do her many favors, but she was anxious to return to her friends on the other side of the pen.

Tandoori

Tandoori's markings are a mixture of Cayenne's and Basil's.

Tandoori is independent, but not aggressive or terribly skittish. She keeps a watchful eye on any new visitors, but grows more comfortable with time. Though they are faint, you can see her beautiful eye stripes blending in with her hood. Her shape and overall size are very desirable within the Silver Appleyard breed.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg looks very different from the rest of the ducks. Notice the lack of black and red markings on her body?

If you didn't know better, you might not believe Nutmeg to be from the same clutch of eggs as our other ducks! Even purebred ducks occasionally produce odd-colored offspring. Though her markings prevent her from being a breeding candidate, she is the leader of the flock.

She can often be heard confidently voicing her opinions. She is the least friendly of the ducks, but I personally believe that her cautious nature helps her keep the flock aware of any and every potential danger.

What's In A Name?

Did you notice a theme in the ducks' names? They're all spices! Even more specifically than that, all of the spice names except for Cilantro and Basil are some shade of red. Since the ducks all have red hoods, I figured we'd give them all names reflecting that.

Even though it's not ideal to have hooded ducks, we love them just the same. They are an important part of Meadow View Ranch! Though the majority of the ducks won't be used in our future breeding program, they will each have a special place in our hearts forever. They're the first animals we've bred and raised here and we adore them very much.

We can't wait to keep sharing our experiences with the ducks with you. They've been enjoying spending time out in our pasture on nice days; they help control weeds and pests while also fertilizing the soil. We'll be so excited when they finally start laying eggs—I've got a thousand duck egg recipes in mind!

What else would you like to know about our ducks? You already know I am particularly fond of Cilantro and Basil—do you have a favorite?