Sophomore Clara Miller not only has a dog and a cat, but she also has two five week old American Pekin ducks named Kona and Arlo. The name Kona was inspired by Corona, and the name Arlo comes from her dad. While Miller was hesitant at first, she was eventually pushed over the edge to buy them. 

“I decided to buy the ducks right after we got out of school; it was mostly out of boredom. I thought it’d be fun to try a more unconventional pet,” Miller said. “I got inspired to buy them because of TikTok. I saw a girl and she had two little ducklings and thought it was really cool.” 

The two ducks she bought were from a farm in Broadway. While some pets can cost thousands of dollars, the ducks Miller bought were five dollars each. According to Miller, they grow extremely quickly and their needs change overtime.

“The two ducks were ten dollars in total, but all of the supplies that they needed ended up costing only $40. When they were ducklings, they stayed in a bucket with pine shavings and food and water. However, they are now almost seven weeks old. They stay in a pen outside, but they come inside at night because it’s still cold.” 

After 20 weeks, Kona and Arlo will reach their full size and live likely from nine to 12 years. Miller doesn’t plan on keeping them forever and will find a better home for them when they outgrow their space.

“Since they’re getting bigger, I will probably move them to someplace else soon. My aunt has a farm, so she is likely going to take them. My grandma also has a pond where other ducks live, they can go there as well if my aunt doesn’t want them.”

After owning ducks for about a month now, Miller discovered that the reality of owning ducks isn’t as fun as seemed originally. 

“I don’t recommend getting a duck if you don’t have access to an outdoor place for them. I also don’t recommend getting a duck if you’re expecting a low maintenance pet,” Miller said. “They take a lot of work, they are extremely loud, and they are very very messy. While they are cute, most pictures that you’ve seen make owning them seem way more glamorous than they are in reality.”