Duck

Ducks are very social animals so you should keep several ducks, and not just one. They need a minimum of 10 ft. of space per adult duck, in addition to shelter and a swimming area. It may be necessary to lock them in a secure enclosure at night to avoid predators (such as owls, hawks, foxes, snapping turtles and dogs). Ducklings need a large amount of care at the beginning, so make sure you are willing to take on this responsibility.

If you want to be able to handle your ducks, you have to raise them from a young age and constantly handle them so they get used to it. Ducklings should be kept indoors for the first few weeks. In warm weather, they can be moved outside at 2-3 weeks; in colder weather at 4-5 weeks. Ducklings raised without a mother need an artificial heat source. Place a lamp in their cage. If they are all close to it, they are too cold and if they are huddled at the other end of the cage, they are too hot. As an alternative to a cage, ducklings can be kept in an old playpen or kiddie pool (not the inflatable kind). Cover the floor with an absorbent material such as hay or straw. Do not use wood chips or shavings. Replace any wet hay and don't let it get moldy.

Ducklings can drown or catch a chill in deep water, so a very shallow water dish or bird waterer should be used. Inside their enclosure, there should be a place the ducks can escape if the water is overturned. Expect the ducklings to play in their water dish and get it muddy. The dish must be washed often.

Ducklings need a feed with 20-22% protein for the first three to five weeks. After that, they do best on a feed with 16% protein. Adult ducks need about 14-16% protein when they aren't laying, 16-18% when they are laying. Commercial food for game birds can be purchased at farm supply stores. Don't substitute chicken feed, since it doesn't have the right nutrients for ducks. Don't use commercial food meant for fattening ducks for meat or producing more eggs; these foods may contain harmful medications.

Adult ducks should have cracked corn (not whole) mixed into their feed. Ducks should not be fed bread, popcorn and chips, but can eat chopped hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, bugs, garden snails, worms, night crawlers, mealworms, bloodworms, and floating coy food. Ducks being fed too much junk food will suffer from malnutrition. It's important to ration treats.

Ducks need water for drinking, especially when they are eating (to wash their food down), and for swimming. You don't need a pond; ducks can swim just as well in a plastic pool. Provide a ramp for easy access, since leg injuries are common in ducks when getting in and out of the water. The water needs to be changed often and kept clean. If you wish, you can chlorinate the water. If you live in a cold climate, use a water pump or aerator to prevent the water from freezing in the winter.

Pomeranian

The origins of the Pomeranian are sled dogs of the Spitz type from Greenland and Lapland. They were brought to Pomerania by the Baltic Sea where, with selective breeding that decreased the size of the dog, we have today's Pomeranian.

The Pomeranian's head is wedge-shaped with a fine muzzle. Height is 7-12 inches tall and weight is about 3-7 lbs. Ears are small and erect, eyes are oval and dark brown. The bushy tail lies flat and is carried straight over the back. The coat is hard, straight and long making the Pomeranian appear like a ball with a head and legs,which have shorter, softer hair. Colors are orange, white, brown and black.

The Pomeranian is a highly intelligent, friendly, energetic fun-loving dog. The Pom trains easily and housebreaking does not present a problem. The Pom gets along with other pets and children who handle it gently. The Pom learns tricks readily and loves to perform. It does well in apartments but do need a daily walk. Because of the heavy coat, care should be taken in hot weather to be sure it has a cool spot to relax in.

  

The Pomeranian makes an excellent watchdog. Most of all the Pom makes a loving and very loyal companion.

Turtle

Turtles can be a fun pet and are especially appropriate for a small home since they don't need a lot of space.

If you purchase a turtle from a pet store, make sure the pet store owners are knowledgeable about turtles and that the turtles seem well-cared for. Have the turtle checked out by a vet to make sure it is really healthy. You can also buy a turtle from a breeder. It's a good idea to ask other for recommendations to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder. Adopting a turtle from the wild is not always the best option, since the turtle may be sick or carry parasites.

All turtles can carry salmonella, so it is important that everyone who handles the turtle wash their hands afterward. Small children who play with a turtle need to be supervised so that they don't stick their fingers in their mouths.

Young turtles are mostly carnivorous and eat every day. Older turtles are omnivorous and need to eat every other day. Turtles don't know when they are full and will continue to eat endlessly, so it is up to their humans to regulate their food intake.

Turtles require a tank, kept at a temperature between 80 and 85 degrees. The tank should have plants and hiding places (especially if more than one turtle share the space) and be kept clean. Young turtles can live together in harmony but older turtles may fight.

Peacock

I'm sure you've heard the expression, "proud as a peacock." And they do strut about proudly displaying their magnificent tails.

While we refer to them all as Peacocks, that's what the male of the family is called. The female is a Peahen and the babies are Peachicks. Together they are referred to as Peafowl.

The Peacock's tail has approximately 150 feathers with what appears to be an eye design on each one. Size can be from 6-13 lbs.

There are different varieties but the most well-known are the India Blue and the Java Green. The Blues are native to India and Sri Lanka, the Greens to Java and Burma.

Raise Peacocks from the chick stage and they will rarely stray far. However to ensure their safety and that they stay close to home, you may want to build a pen. It must be at least 8 feet tall or more with a peaked roof. There should be enough room for the Peacocks to fly and display their tails. The pen can be made with chicken wire, but should have a wooden roost. Be sure the pen is secure and no animals can get in. You can provide perches and some straw for bedding.

To keep mice from getting into food, dishes can be hung securely from the roof. Water dishes can be hung also to avoid droppings in them.

Peacocks eat a variety of foods including chicken pellets, grains like rice, wheat and barley, fruits and vegetables. The will also eat dog food and table scraps. No bones though as these could cause choking.

You can tame a Peachick by handling it and playing with it. Adults that have not been tamed as chicks usually remain wild. Peacocks live in flocks so it's advisable to get more than one. Peacocks also have a very loud screech. They are best kept in rural areas. Check the ownership laws in your area.

Dwarf Hamster

The three main species kept as pets are:

Phodopus campbelli - Campbell's dwarf hamster

Phodopus roborovskii - Roborovski's (desert) dwarf hamster

Phodopus sungorus - Djungarian hamster (Winter white Russian dwarf hamster)

The colour genetics of dwarf hamsters is much less than thta in syrian hamsters. If handled often, they can become tame quickly and become good pets.

Russian dwraf hamsters and Campbell's dwarf hamster generally live for 1.5 - 2.5 years. They reach a length of 8cm - 10cm. However, Chinese dwarf hamsters live for 2.5 - 3.5 years. they reach a length of 10cm - 12cm. The Roborovski hamster is the smallest at only 4–5 cm and lives for 3 to 3.5 years.

These subspecies are quite similar, so it is hard to tell them apart unless you can identify them from their colour genetics and size.

Campbell's dwarf hamster 

Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster or Phodopus campbelli is a species of dwarf hamster. It was discovered by W.C. Campbell in 1902 in Tuva. The Campbell's dwarf is native to the steppes and areas of Central Asia.

This hamster is sometimes mistaken as the Djungarian hamster (or Dzungarian hamster), or just Russian, and wrongly called a Winter white Russian dwarf hamster. These hamsters are more likely to bite or nip you than Winter White dwarf hamsters are. The average lifespan of the Campbell's dwarf hamster is 1½ to 2 years, butthey can live longer if they are very healthy.

Diabetes is a common problem in Campbell's hamsters and is an inherited problem from previous generations. They should not be fed sugary food or " sweet treats."

Like all hamsters, Campbell's dwarfs must gnaw regularly to keep the incisors from growing into the skin of the mouth and causing dental problems. Some pet owners provide dog biscuits to assist with this. Wooden chew toys should be used with care as splinters may cut the hamsters gums.

Roborovskis dwarf hamster 

Roborovskis or Phodopus roborovskii are the smallest of all hamsters. Their average size at birth is under 2 cm. They rarely reach 7.5 cm when they are fully grown. Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis are eyebrow-like white spots, and the lack of any dorsal stripe.

Roborovski hamsters live in and around the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and the adjacent territories of Kazakhstan, Russia and Northern China. They have limited access to water and so drink it sparingly when kept in captivity.

Roborovski hamsters are fast and agile. However, they are also timid and shy an may bite if disturbed. They are spooked by loud noises.

Djungarian dwarf hamster

The Djungarian hamster (Siberian hamster) or Phodopus sungorus, also known as the "Russian Winter White dwarf hamster" is a species of dwarf hamster. They are half the size of Syrian hamsters, and therefore called a dwarf hamster. Features include a typically thick dark grey dorsal stripe and furry feet. They are short tailed species and their tails are less than 1cm long. As winter approaches and the days shorten, the Siberian hamster's dark fur is almost entirely replaced with white fur. This is with the exception of the pearl. In the wild, they change to the colour of the snow to help camofaluge against predators.

The average lifespan of this species is 1½ to 2½ years or 2-3 years. This depends on the hamster though.

Djungarian hamsters are often found in pet shops. Care is similar to that of the Campbell's Dwarf Hamster.

Ferret

After dogs and cats, Ferrets are the 3rd most popular pet. Ferrets weigh about 2-4 lbs. depending on gender. Lifespan is about 8-10 years. Colors are brown, grey and black, mask, feet and tail being darker than the body.

Ferrets do not tolerate very hot weather well, so be sure to keep them in cooler areas in summer. Female Ferrets should be spayed before their first heat and all Ferrets should be descented as it helps to increase the lifespan. They also need inoculations against canine distemper. Ferrets are very active and extremely playful. 

Like cats and dogs, they should be allowed the freedom to run about the house. They are very curious and explore every nook and cranny. If you have 2 ferrets, they will happily play with each other and any other pets you have. It's not advisable to have them as pets with very young children who might cause injury to the Ferret. Diet can consist of dry ferret food or kitten food available at your pet shop. Avoid dairy products, bread and nuts. Ferrets are not rodents but belong to the weasel family.

Lab

The Labrador Retriever is native to Newfoundland, Canada. English ships coming from Labrador in 1800 arrived in Great Britain bringing the Labrador Retriever. It has since become the most popular dog in the United States. English bred dogs are shorter and stockier while American breeds are taller and have a lighter build.

The standard height is about 21-24 inches and weight is 55-80 lbs. The Lab has a thick nose and scissors bite with a broad head and powerful neck. Eyes are chestnut or hazel and ears are pendent. The tail is of medium length, covered with thick short hair and is known as an otter tail. The Lab's coat is smooth, dense and oily and is water resistant. The colors are solid black, chocolate and yellow.

Note - Fox Red Labradors, as they are known, are not dtruly red. The color is actually a dark yellow and was the original color of Labs. It was the normal color until after World War II when lighter coat colors became much more popular. Today the fox red color is increasing in popularity.

This dog is a people dog, very intelligent, dependable, affectionate and playful. The Lab is especially good with children. Its high intelligence makes it easy to train. Daily exercise is very important. The Labrador can be a chow hound, so weight watching is a must. The Lab is a loyal and loving family companion.

The Labrador is a working dog of many talents including serving as a guide dog for the blind and as a service dog. It does well in obedience trials. The Lab has an excellent sense of smell and is a standout star retriever in water. It is also used by the police for its detection capabilities. The Lab is a wonderful companion dog.