Free Duck Eggs? I Think Not

A while back I mentioned to Eddie, one of the jackasses I work with that I had ducks laying eggs. He wasted no time asking for some and I replied I'd be happy to sell to him. Well, he seemed somewhat offended that I would sell him my "free" eggs.
Night before last he mentioned my ducks again in front of a new employee and figured it would be a good time to shame me into free eggs so he repeated the previous conversation (complete with voices). I fired back, "When the feed store starts giving me free duck feed, I'll give you free duck eggs!" I think Eddie was a bit taken aback when the new lady said, "There ya go!" to me.

Maybe some folks who don't raise birds for eggs don't realize those eggs are not free eggs. Before we even get the birds there is the cost of building an enclosure. Fence posts and wire are not free. A coop or laying house requires lumber and nails, again not free. Whoever coined the term "it's just chicken feed" meaning little or no cost hasn't seen the price of feed lately. 365 days a year no matter the weather I have to have my monkey ass out there feeding, watering, checking on my birds' health, walking the fence line to make sure all is secure.
This time of year the geese aren't laying any eggs but still have to eat and drink. My 2 adult duck hens lay 1 or 2 eggs a day but still eat the same amount eggs or not. My juveniles are still months away from laying their first egg. "Free" eggs? Not even close!

So why even bother raising my own eggs? Simple question with a simple answer. My eggs are from free range birds, not caged egg laying machines. Ergo I can write in pencil on each egg the date it was laid so know how fresh they are. My girls eat bugs and grass along with their feed which makes them happy! Even the grass and weeds aren't free as I put in my time and sweat mowing and fetching to them.

The main reason I raise ducks for eggs is because I enjoy having ducks. They make me laugh when I sit with them and watch them being ducks. You may not understand me enjoying having ducks but that's fine with me. You may enjoy something I don't understand. Does that make us bad people? Is it a reason we can't be friends? I think not.