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uncleperry New user 97 Posts |
Have an idea for a duck effect and am wondering which BREED of duck is normally used.
I've found a source for several different types. Thanks! 'unc.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and that's usually good enough to make a decent living.
'unc. |
mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I use a white call duck in my shows. They are part of the mallard family and do not get real big. Some use Peking ducks, and I have used them before, but they can get big, and I found that they wouldn't fit in props very well. The duck in my picture is full grown, and he is a hit in all my shows! Good Luck!
Mike |
uncleperry New user 97 Posts |
Mrmagic,
The calls look perfect for me. Don't they have a reputation for being noisy? Have you had any problems with that? May be a little harder for me to find one, but also may be worth the extra effort. Thanks! 'unc
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and that's usually good enough to make a decent living.
'unc. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I was thinking about purchasing a cockatoo, but I heard they are a real pain to take care of. So I was thinking about a white duck instead. I have a few more questions too, Mike.
Do the droppings of a white duck smell stronger than rabbits/ferrets droppings? Are the white ducks loud all day in a house? What size space is needed for a single white duck? Are white ducks messy like rats? Is a small pool needed for a duck? Do white ducks quack making theirselves noticeable throughout a 1 hour show? What is the average age length for a white duck? Thanks. |
mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I can try to answer your questions based on my experience with them. First You should have a pair of ducks they like to have a companion. Male & female isn't necessary. I have three drakes. Regarding being noisy, they can be noisy together however, I have noticed only when I come around do they seem to start squawking. When I use one in my show, I really don't have a problem with him being noisy. Currently I use a duck bucket & Where Do Ducks Go Routine. One of my ducks can be noisy but even in the shows he is quiet.
Ducks are dirty animals! They do keep themselves clean given a pool, bath tub whatever to swim and clean themselves. Regarding their droppings, yes it does smell and probably more than rabbit droppings. I clean my carrier after every show and sometimes need to clean off the duck prior to a show if they messed. I usually wait till after a show and get him home before feeding and that has helped cut down the droppings. My ducks are kept in a hutch in a shed out doors. The hutch is 5 ft long by 2 feet wide and 3 feet high. They like to cuddle with each other. Once a week I bring them in and fill my bath tub and give them some bath time and a good cleaning. They love it! I don't have a pond at my home so I use the next best thing. I am not sure on age length. One of my ducks is 2 1/2 yrs old and the other two are about 1 1/2 years old. I heard from a breeder they can live 5 - 7 years old. Ducks do require some work and the pros and cons for your act is something only you can decide. For me they have helped me build a reputation of being the magician with the duck! The audiences love him and I am strictly a family entertainer and so a little extra TLC with them is worth it to me! Hope that helps any other questions let me know! Mike |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Thanks, Mike, for answering my questions. That was a lot of help. I might look into getting a duck.
Besides the tricks you mentioned, what other tricks would you advise a duck can be used for? Check out Copperfield's routine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0DI6B4UAK8 |
mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I've seen it and it is good. It is a Duck bucket & Where do the Ducks go routine. I do something similar but not the slow motion bit. A couple of other effects that I have used are Duck Wringer (similar to Rabbit Wringer), 3DTV Production.
They can be a lot of fun and I enjoy my ducks they are pretty tame and the audiences think they are a hoot! Mike |
Antoine Regular user Northern France 106 Posts |
I suggest to use this one:
A lovely transition from your stage act to your close-up show. |
revmike Special user Annville, PA 646 Posts |
I was thinking about an exotic bird to add to my rabbit and doves, but you may have me rethinking the issue with this discussion on ducks. I know from seeing others use them, they can be a real hit - they also seem to be a bit more versatile than a parrot as far as usages in magic.
The magic is not in our sleights and illusions, but instead in our ability to bring love and joy.
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mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
Revmike,
I have been using ducks for the past 5 years! Yes, indeed, they are a hit in my shows! If I can be of any help, let me know! Mike |
Cody Moynihan Regular user 102 Posts |
Hi, would I be able to keep a duck outside all winter? I live in Canada. They would be in my garage, which is insulated but not heated.
Thanks, Cody |
mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I have three white call ducks and they are kept in a shed outside. Last week we experienced - 25 with - 50 wnd chills and they survived just fine. The key is having more than one duck since they need company, good bedding, hay etc., having fresh water or a heated waterer. Ducks are pretty hearty animals and mine do just fine. Hope that helps.
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bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
Hey Guys,
Great discussion going on here..... If you're looking to add a cockatoo to your act, make sure it's a Sulphur-Crested because they seem to be more independent and only need less than an hour of your time, sometimes not even that on a daily basis. The Umbrella cockatoos, all white on the head, seem to be more what we call "Velcro-parrots".... sometimes they do scream unless you have at least 2 to keep each other company...but they are so smart, extremely engineering type smart, they can figure out almost anything mechanical. I have 2 macaws, a COngo African Grey, a Yellow Nape Amazon and my SUlphur-Crested cockatoo. Both macaws can do multiple effects, pick a card, find a card, steal a watch, the Grey is too shy but the best conversationalist, she will talk with you for over an hour and not repeat any words or phrases, the Amazon is a doll-baby, sings whistles and talks as sson as she gets picked up which gets great audience reactions and of course the sulphur-crested cockatoo, yellow crest on his head, gets reactions by just appearing, raising his creat and spreading his wings like an eagle.....The cockatoo can figure out every puzzle toy in his cage when they're filled with nuts and treats, faster than I can put them inside..... Having said all that, now I need to say this...they aren't as messy as a duck, doves or rabbits, which are way too messy, newspaper on the bottom of their cages changed daily works great. They get showers at least every week, right in the shower stall on PVC pipe stands, they will play in the warm shower for anywhere from 30-60 minutes, usually on Sat mornings. They usually step up to almost everybody on command because we take them everywhere with us. Bill |
bwarren3 Special user 518 Posts |
Just FYI, STeve Kline has his baby cockatoo, which is already trained, for sale right here on The Café. Zoe would make a fabulous first cockatoo pet because she is already trained and she also already flies..
I have seriously considered adding a duck or two to my act because of the comedy effects that can be done with them... Bill |
Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
I normally use white Peking ducks. They have long necks and shows better when produced. I prefer the males because they are more quiet. The males are also larger than the females.
They can also be trained to stay in one place (on top of a table or a part of the floor) during your show. I use "clicker" training method to accomplish this. This is called "marking".
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
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