We have doctor dogs, guard dogs, navy seals, donkeys that carry luggage, horses and bullocks to plough our fields and geese that can guard our houses. Now, meet this army of highly trained Indian runner ducks, who keep a farm free of pests and snails. And, because of this army, it is not necessary to use chemicals or pesticides.
Indian runner ducks are an unusual breed. They do not waddle like other ducks, instead they run. And, they stand upright like penguins. The females lay around 150 to 200 eggs a year. They drop their eggs as they run or walk, wherever they happen to be. These ducks do not fly. They are found on the Indonesian islands of Lombok, Java and Bali. They were walked to the market and sold as egg layers or for meat. The ducks are quiet, and only the females quack.
At workAt the Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa they have a flock of 700 to 900 ducks. Every morning, at 9.45 a.m. they are let out of their protective environment and they run to ‘work’. They spread out across the vineyards and the 900 ducks hone in on their hidden targets with uncanny precision, finding the tiny white dune snails that feast on the budding wines. At 3.30 p.m. work is done for the day.
They cover an acre or two in a day, clearing it of snails that not only bring fungal diseases but are also a threat to the crop.
Everywhere farmers are trying to use less chemicals on the plants. And, this vineyard has hit upon this perfect, environmentally safer option. But, it is expensive as the cost of keeping these ducks as opposed to using chemicals is more than double the cost.
