“Adair County Couple Create a Local Aviary”

By Dr. Phil Aaron

Nestled between the local airport and country club is Adair County’s only aviary.  Not quite as large as the one at the Louisville Zoo, it is still a delight to visit.  Owned and operated by William Allen Sneed and his wife Betty, it has been here since 1988.

Kept under a game netted and treated mesh are two aviaries: the larger one containing 25-35 species of waterfowl, the smaller one for wood ducks- separating them to keep their stock pure.

Over these nearly 20 years, William has learned and shared a lot about his waterfowl- reading magazines such as the American Peasant and Waterfowl.  Ordering and selling fowl from all over the nation including many trips to Cincinnati Airport to ship and receive.  According to William, “I average receiving one order for my waterfowl daily from states across the nation, mostly from the North.  I no longer do business in other countries because of the expense and large amount of paperwork involved in getting the fowl through customs.”

Raised for breeding, the most common fowl in his aviary are Chinese Mandarins, wood ducks and Mallards.  There are one million wood ducks in the US- it’s the most numerous breeding duck in the US; we are all familiar with their exotic breeding plumage.

The most beautiful and colorful fowl- the Chinese Mandarins and Mallards are still beautiful this time of year with their intricate facial and throat markings: red eyes, orange and white/red bills.  Their eye patches and rings are breathtaking.  William has several mandarins, which come from China and Japan and have slowly been moved off the “endangered” list.

These fowl are usually found in small groups, nesting in wooded lakes and rivers, often in tree holes.  Their flight is fast and agile; their prominent tails allow them to swing buoyantly.  For safety they roost at night on water, after spending their days loafing on partially submerged branches.

Eating is from dabbling on lakes or banks and they rarely dive for food, being fed breeder pellet and cracked corn, one ton lasting three months.

William’s ponds were dug by David Keith; he and Betty lined the banks with channel liner rock.  They have a large aerated pump to make sure the fowl have plenty of oxygen in the pond; and there are mosquito lights to kill mosquitoes for food.

Warm springs are better for breeding with the fowl laying eggs from the last of February to the first of June, the incubation period being 23^rd for the Ruddy Duck 31 days for the Hooded Mergansen.

Males do through an Eclipse plumage with dull-coated feathers after the breeding season.  This is followed by a festive, brightly colored plumage.  Most of Adair County’s waterfowl are cavity nesters- they nest in a hole- either in man made boxes or in logs, or in underbrush. 

The fowl leave their nests twice daily to feed.  They are mostly silent, but sometimes whistle, unlike the “barking fowl” from South America.  Each specie’s eggs are different, recognizable. 

William has recently sold his six swans and geese.  His birds’ prices range from $50 to $500, although home sell for up to $6,000.

The Adair County Aviary is decorated with excellent taste with ground cover and rocks around the pond, irises and day lilies to allow our sites for nesting.  There are catch cages, to separate the breeding fowl from those being sold.

Several years ago, a raccoon killed a dozen of the nesting fowl so the aviary is now protected by an electric fence.  He has had no more attacks since then. 

Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is when the fowl are on “display”, when they are mating, going through various rituals. 

An interesting hobby/business about which William and Betty are delighted to share information and give tours close to home.  Bring your camera and kids.  Such a wonderful place to visit.