Blog

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

M is for Motherhood and Muscovy. As a broody duck, nothing can match the Muscovy. She’s a big bird, but able to be gentle and diligent.  Despite looking fierce, with

Read More »

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

Limping or lameness. There are lots of reasons why waterfowl may go lame. Accident and injury, perhaps after being chased, painful feet because they have calluses or bumble foot, age

Read More »
King Eider drake

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

It’s easy to be impressed by the King Eider, Somateria spectabilis. These are tough birds which breed on the tundra. Although they have been bred in captivity for many decades,

Read More »

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

Jumping. Not an activity always associated with waterfowl, but some are adept at hopping up steps and branches. Jumping from a height though is seen in many species which nest

Read More »

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

I is for Ixworth. The home of Reginald Appleyard, who developed the Silver Appleyard duck. Well known as a showman and broadcaster in his day, he said: ‘I like to

Read More »

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

H is for Humidity During incubation, a waterfowl egg should lose about 15% of its weight. In natural incubation, this is affected by nest selection and structure, egg surface, attentiveness

Read More »

Pal-Mates — weekend web tip

If you are captivated by whistling ducks, which species should you choose for a new collection? Something readily available, calm and easy on the eye should fit the bill.  

Read More »

Pal-Mates weekend web tip

Eating. The appetite of our birds is one of the indications of their health. They naturally increase their intake when the weather is cold, but do you routinely monitor how

Read More »