Inside Culver Duck Farms: Humane Care from Hatch to Harvest

Summary

Robin's Nest Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Inside Culver Duck Farms: Humane Care from Hatch to Harvest
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Host: Dr. Robin Ganzert
Guests:

• Heidi Pardon, Corporate Vet Services Manager, Culver Duck Farms
• Drew Frey, Director of Live Operations, Culver Duck Farms

---

1. Introduction to Culver Duck Farms

Dr. Robin Ganzert opens the episode by highlighting the deep bond humans share with animals, both domestic and wild. She introduces Heidi Pardon and Drew Frey from Culver Duck Farms, emphasizing their extensive experience and commitment to humane and sustainable poultry practices.

Robin [00:01]: "Join us for lively, informative conversations where together we will build a more humane world."

---

2. Evolution of the Duck Industry Over Four Decades

Drew Frey reflects on his nearly 40-year tenure in the duck industry, noting significant changes, especially in the last eight years due to heightened biosecurity concerns like avian influenza.

Drew Frey [01:43]: "I've seen a lot of changes. And over the last eight years, it's just rapidly changed."

Heidi Pardon adds that continuous improvement and education have been pivotal in adapting to these changes, ensuring that all team members are well-versed in current farm operations and potential risks.

Heidi Pardon [02:08]: "It's been a major focus on continuous improvement and continuous education for all levels of the company."

---

3. The Importance of Biosecurity and Animal Welfare

Robin delves into the concept of biosecurity—a term that might be unfamiliar to many listeners. She contrasts the current emphasis on biosecurity with practices from 40 years ago, highlighting the industry's shift towards preventing diseases like bird flu.

Robin [02:22]: "A lot of people who are listening in today's Robin's Nest never thought about a word like biosecurity."

Heidi explains that biosecurity measures are intrinsically linked to animal welfare, ensuring the health and well-being of ducks by preventing disease transmission.

Heidi Pardon [05:43]: "We talk animal welfare and we talk biosecurity, but they really do hand in hand."

---

4. Impact of Avian Influenza on the Poultry Industry

The conversation shifts to the pressing issue of avian influenza. Drew and Heidi discuss its devastating effects, including the necessity to depopulate entire flocks upon detection of the virus.

Heidi Pardon [07:35]: "When you have one positive bird, you have to depopulate the entire flock. It is a huge safety factor taken very seriously."

They emphasize the emotional toll these measures take on farmers and the broader community, as well as the logistical challenges in maintaining operations during outbreaks.

Drew Frey [09:33]: "It's been devastating to the poultry industry. Right now. The dairy industry is facing some big challenges."

---

5. Family Farms: The Backbone of Culver Duck

Culver Duck Farms predominantly partners with Amish Mennonite growers, celebrating their generational legacy and commitment to farming. Drew highlights the challenges these farmers face, such as land scarcity, and the importance of poultry barns in sustaining multi-generational farming.

Drew Frey [05:12]: "It's hard to make a living off the farm like they used to. Poultry barns are one way to keep the family at home."

Heidi underscores the familial bonds and the importance of educating the next generation to ensure the continuity of these family-run farms.

Heidi Pardon [10:39]: "It's about that next generation."

---

6. American Humane Certification Process

Robin explores the significance of Culver Duck Farms achieving American Humane certification. Heidi details the collaborative and iterative process of certification, emphasizing continual improvement and tailored practices for duck farming.

Heidi Pardon [14:33]: "It truly was a walkthrough with the certification to say, does this all make sense?"

Drew adds that transparency and strong relationships with producers were crucial in successfully navigating the certification process.

Drew Frey [15:09]: "Very true."

---

7. Enhancing Consumer Understanding and Market Trends

The guests discuss the growing interest in duck as a protein source in American diets. They identify the key barrier as consumer unfamiliarity with cooking duck and highlight their efforts in education and product offerings to make duck more accessible.

Drew Frey [12:33]: "More people are interested in trying duck. Our stable customers have been our more Asian customers."

Heidi emphasizes the role of education in changing perceptions about duck meat and promoting proper cooking techniques.

Heidi Pardon [12:55]: "Education and the association of wild duck. Oh, it's gamey. Oh, it's this, it's that. It is the key."

---

8. Transparency and Open Access to Farms

Heidi and Drew advocate for transparency in farming practices. They welcome consumers and stakeholders to tour their barns, demystifying the farming process and dispelling misconceptions about "factory farms."

Heidi Pardon [17:48]: "We want to give it to everybody. You know, it's not a, oh, this is the best barn."

Drew echoes the sentiment, stressing the importance of educating the public and fostering openness.

Drew Frey [17:14]: "We are more than happy to take people through our barns."

---

9. Personal Stories and Commitment to Animal Welfare

The episode concludes with personal anecdotes from Heidi and Drew, highlighting their lifelong dedication to animal welfare and farming. Heidi shares her journey from a hog farm to becoming a key figure in duck farming, while Drew reflects on transitioning from an urban upbringing in Fort Wayne to a rewarding agricultural career.

Heidi Pardon [23:30]: "I've been very fortunate with all of my mentors in all of the years I say I'm still learning."

Drew Frey [23:23]: "I've loved it and it's been a very rewarding experience."

They also touch upon the importance of nurturing the next generation, both within their families and the broader community.

---

10. Conclusion and Future Collaborations

Robin wraps up the episode by congratulating Culver Duck Farms on their certification and expressing enthusiasm for future collaborative efforts, such as the upcoming "Global Humane Table" cookbook. Heidi and Drew express their gratitude and eagerness to continue their partnership with American Humane.

Drew Frey [26:51]: "Thank you for having us here and just letting us share a little bit about what we do."

Heidi Pardon [27:00]: "We do. We very much look forward to the partnership and continuing for years to come."

Robin encourages listeners to stay connected with American Humane and subscribe to the podcast for more enlightening discussions.

---

Key Takeaways:

• Commitment to Humane Practices: Culver Duck Farms prioritizes animal welfare and biosecurity, ensuring the health and well-being of their ducks.
• Family Legacy: The farms are predominantly run by multi-generational Amish Mennonite families, emphasizing tradition and sustainable farming.
• Addressing Avian Influenza: The industry faces significant challenges from bird flu, necessitating rigorous protocols and emotional resilience from farmers.
• American Humane Certification: Achieving certification involved a collaborative, transparent process focused on continual improvement.
• Consumer Education: Efforts are underway to familiarize American consumers with duck as a protein source through education and accessible products.
• Transparency in Farming: Open access to farms helps demystify poultry farming and combat misconceptions about factory farming.
• Future Endeavors: Continued partnerships aim to enhance animal welfare and promote sustainable, ethically sourced food.

---

By providing an in-depth look into Culver Duck Farms, this episode of Robin's Nest underscores the intricate balance between maintaining traditional farming practices and adapting to modern challenges to ensure a humane and sustainable future for poultry farming.

Transcript

[Robin]

Welcome to Robin's Nest. Many of us feel a deep bond with animals, from the pets we cherish at home to the endangered species in nature. Join us for lively, informative conversations where together we will build a more humane world. Today, we're thrilled to have two incredible leaders from Culver Duck Farms with us. First, we have Heidi Pardon, the corporate vet services manager. With over 13 years of experience in animal welfare and biosecurity, Heidi plays a key role in making sure every part of their operation upholds the highest humane standards. Joining her is Drew Frey, director of live operations at Culver duck. With nearly 40 years of experience, Drew has been instrumental in ensuring top notch duck care and production, all while staying true to Culver Duck's commitment to to responsible animal care. I'm excited to hear how Heidi and Drew are shaping the future of humane and sustainable poultry practices. Let's dive in. Heidi, Drew, we're so thrilled to have you today. Thank you so much. We're here to talk duck. Isn't that wonderful? And about your commitment to being American Humane certified and importantly, all the incredible work you do at Culver Dock. Glad to have you in Robin's Nest.

[Drew Frey]

Yeah. Robin, thank you for having us here today. We are very honored. This is very special for us to be a part of this.

[Robin]

Thank you. Thank you. Well, you have an incredible background and commitment, and my goodness, Drew, when we introduced you, 40 years, amazing. So you've seen a lot happen in the duck industry, haven't you?

[Drew Frey]

I have. It's been quite the journey, quite the ride. I've seen a lot of changes. And over the last eight years, it's just rapidly changed. Being associated with American Humane and some of the other biosecurity with high path aid, influenza. The market's really changed, the industry's changed.

[Robin]

Yes.

[Heidi Pardon]

It's been a major focus on continuous improvement and continuous education for all levels of the company. Anyone, even in our facility, to understand what's going on on farm and what can happen with what is coming into the facility.

[Robin]

So, Heidi, when we think about raising ducks on a farm, a lot of people who are listening in today's Robin's Nest who are joining us in the nest never thought about a word like biosecurity. Right. And the safeties and the protocols on what happens on today's farms. And I bet, Drew, 40 years ago, right, we didn't talk about the word biosecurity. I'm not sure if we even use that on farms and ranches, but, boy, you've seen a lot of things change. We now talk about bird flu, all sorts of things that I know that you're ensuring doesn't happen to the ducks in your care. But 40 years ago to today, what do you think some of the biggest changes have been?

[Drew Frey]

I think the concern about diseases from outside entities. Now it's in cattle, it's in pork. So our farmers need to be concerned about anything that comes close to their barn. Our producers are made up of mainly Amish Mennonite growers. 85 to 95%. That's what we appreciate about our community. They want to be on the farm. They want it to be there for their family. They want to pass it on. And so they've had to go through a large learning curve as well. And so that's why we brought Heidi on, is to help intensify our focus on biosecurity.

[Heidi Pardon]

With animal welfare. It has been a big partnership with our growers. They are family, and that's what we want to keep. That is the family aspect of our company, that when we go to the farm, yes, we educate everyone, but we want to see those kids running in and out. We want to see the kids pick up eggs. You know, they're the ones that bring us cookies. Those are the weddings we go to. So it has been stepping through that and culturally understanding where your boundaries are at and working through that. You know, I think back to my grandfather, who at times, we would never do that. Now we do, and we have to get them to understand why and where and what the risks are. You know, you never want to have the devastation of losing a farm because of avian influenza.

[Robin]

Well, let's talk about avian influenza, but let's go back to that one point. I didn't realize that your farmers are Amish and Mennonite for the most part, which is wonderful. Talk about an incredible family strength and values. Legacy of generations devoted to their land and to building that farm to pass on to their children and their grandchildren and the like. It's a really special group that's taking care of these ducks and raising these ducks.

[Drew Frey]

It is. And they're being challenged because land isn't being produced. Land is becoming a rare resource in our area, so it's harder to make a living off the farm like they used to. So poultry barns, other types of barns, are one way to keep the family at home. The amazing part is we'll have five siblings of the same family with barns. For us, we're working on the third generation in one family that will have barns for us over 40 years, which.

[Heidi Pardon]

Is amazing and a challenge at the same time. When you think of your biosecurity. You know, we talk animal welfare and we talk biosecurity, but they really come hand in hand. We always want worried about and are concerned about the health and well being of our ducks. Yes, handling is number one and making sure their needs are met. But that next step is biosecurity, of making sure two brothers don't share the same equipment. Simple little things that can really help them.

[Robin]

So, Heidi, you've joined the company, what, 13 years ago? Did I get that?

[Heidi Pardon]

I've been in the industry 13 years. Yes. We're coming up on eight years with.

[Robin]

The company, eight years with Culver. So you've really been instrumental in coming in here. And again, you're working with multi generational farmers, family members to teach and instill new practices in terms of security. A lot of people don't understand biosecurity. Can you share with our listeners what does that mean on today's poultry farm?

[Heidi Pardon]

Today, the biggest thing is, you know, we always take back to the growers is, you know, you're protecting what's inside. Every setup's different. Some companies have to shower in to go in, but it's the simplicity of what? Not tracking in, bringing in, or if you have an outbreak of some sort, a challenge, not bringing it out and taking it to another barn. You know, the cutest thing ever is watching a little girl run through there barefooted, but at the same time educating them why and what the risk is of that?

[Robin]

Yes, and the risk today is primarily bird flu, am I right?

[Heidi Pardon]

That is correct.

[Robin]

Can you please share with our listeners, many of whom have seen media highlights or headlines, bird flu, and they get very fearful. And tell us a little bit from your perspective, what is that impact on the birds and what is bird flu impact on human populations?

[Heidi Pardon]

Well, in the media right now, the word bird flu is big because people are alarmed with the dairy cows and where it could be going. But as far as our industry, we were the duck company in Indiana to be unfortunately hit. And we did lose three farms with that. When you have one positive bird, you have to depopulate the entire flock. And if it's just in one barn, you still have to depopulate the rest of the facility. It is a huge safety factor taken very seriously with regulatory. You're stuck through the process. But it's heartbreaking emotionally wearing of what you have to see happen. And this is for the better of the duck and the community where we're at in Indiana. I Mean, there are places where they say if we were hit, it could take out 100 barns because it would put them on hold. And you can't move things logistically. You can't take chickens to slaughter plant, you can't take ducks to the slaughter plant. You can't move eggs without permits. It's not something that's just taken lightly. Every case is hands on deck and looking at who's there, what's going on.

[Robin]

So the bird flu itself, how is that transmitted? Is it from a wild population?

[Heidi Pardon]

So, yes, it is, primarily by your waterfowl. You know, when we think of the geese flying over and if you walk through that material and take it into your barn. But with the onset of everything with the dairy and the other animals that it has infected, you know, there was a dolphin itself that they figured that it probably had eaten, you know, some.

[Robin]

Kind of material that was infected. So it can impact more than birds. And where is the line with humans? What have we heard about human.

[Drew Frey]

We're starting to see some cases of humans that have worked with cattle particularly that have got eye infections and maybe some few other symptoms.

[Robin]

But we're not seeing this as a huge issue for humans.

[Drew Frey]

Not yet, no. I mean, you never know what will evolve. But really, it's just been devastating to the poultry industry. Right now. The dairy industry is facing some big challenges.

[Robin]

We could probably do a whole episode in Robin's Nest just on bird flu to understand all of that and the human and animal dynamics. But I think it's important for all of us who love animals to understand that what's really necessary is to have experts like Heidi understanding the implications, the crossovers and in relationships between wild animals and our animals on farms and ranches and that disease potential and how to protect those populations. And you're on the front lines fighting for those ducks and for those birds and their health. And that's an incredible, incredible role that you serve.

[Heidi Pardon]

It has been changing. I mean, it was a huge impact to us. Everything we do, from the processing plant to our flock supervisors in the field and how we interact between departments and what we have to do. But I think it's for a positive. It has also brought our community together with all the different entities, industry that it did affect indirectly our competitors themselves. We've had a couple times where everybody's waiting for the test results, but we're on the phone making plans with our competitor of what road are you driving down? What are you doing with your employees to, you know, to reduce the risk of anything out there?

[Drew Frey]

So when you brought up earlier, what has changed? There's a lot more transparency between companies and in the industry now than there used to be. I mean, we.

[Robin]

That's huge.

[Drew Frey]

We take every flock in to be tested at the university to make sure it doesn't have avian influenza. And like Heidi said, we are in constant contact with other companies and with governmental bodies to make sure everybody's on the same page.

[Heidi Pardon]

Indiana is a great state. We can't say enough about the support that we received from the Board of Animal Health as we went through everything and answering the phone.

[Robin]

It's wonderful. And I think that this is going to be a topic that we can, as animal lovers have for years to come, and then how we protect our and be part of the conversation with farmers and ranchers, too. I want to pivot from biosecurity and the changes in 40 years that you've seen, that being a huge one for sure. I would love to know about the increase interest in duck on American dinner tables. What are you seeing in terms of market trends?

[Drew Frey]

Well, I think more people are interested in trying duck. Our stable customers have been our more Asian customers. But I think more of the Western world's trying duck is just getting them to know how to cook it so they don't get turned away right away.

[Heidi Pardon]

The education piece. Education and the association of wild duck. Oh, it's gamey. Oh, it's this, it's that. It is the key of how do you prepare it. And I think that's where some of our already cooked things have helped. You know, you can come to the store and buy those things to take home and warm up and try it for the first time.

[Drew Frey]

But it makes a big difference how you cook it. You know, to drain the juices from it properly to get a good quality taste.

[Robin]

You know, what's interesting is the pork industry a number of years ago found that people didn't know how to cook pork and they had to educate. And I assume that duck is in the same trajectory as what the pork industry was teaching people how to cook and enjoy. That healthy protein is really, really important, particularly as people are looking to go away from processed food. So it's wonderful what you're doing. And that's one reason we were so happy at American Humane to include duck culvert duck recipes in our Humane Table cookbook, which now we're ready to launch our next cookbook called the Global Humane Table. And we look forward to inviting you to submit some more incredible duck recipes as part of our joint education campaign.

[Heidi Pardon]

We Would love to.

[Drew Frey]

We will plan to.

[Robin]

Yes, yes, that's wonderful. Well, you know, we talk a lot about what you're doing on farms today. The family farmers that are looking to make this a multi generation business to come. An important value that we talked about was transparency and now certification. Tell us a little bit about what it meant to you to go through the American humane certification process.

[Heidi Pardon]

Well, when it was brought up that we needed to look for something, our goal was something to make us better and continue to make us better. We had a lot of conversations about it and it was a great start of a partnership for the duck industry. There's not a lot of research and not a lot of audits out there and certifications to help with that. Everybody wants to compare us to turkeys and chickens and it's really not true whatsoever.

[Robin]

A bird is not a bird is not a bird.

[Heidi Pardon]

Exactly. I had a lot of growers that, you know, coming from the broiler industry are like, heidi, you're crazy.

[Robin]

But we've heard from Butterball, a turkey is not a chicken.

[Heidi Pardon]

Exactly.

[Drew Frey]

Very true.

[Heidi Pardon]

So looking at this, and as we stepped through it the first time, it truly was a walkthrough with the certification to say, does this all make sense? And I think that's where the partnership really came together, because we were working together. It wasn't just another, here you have to do this and we don't care. It was, you cared and wanted to know our feedback and the understanding of, you know, I understand what you're saying, but it really isn't practical. And it's the same thing we have to do with our growers when we try to implement something, you know, it sounds great on paper and we've all talked about it, but we take it in and, and it doesn't work out. So why. And that's kind of where it went with the certification. And the first step was, you know, we didn't put our pruning waters in. We took it as a company. We're going to do this steps at a time and we are going to have a passing score and this is what we're going to do. And the next thing was making that next step.

[Robin]

Yes.

[Heidi Pardon]

And that's continual improvement. Yes.

[Robin]

Along, along that way with, with this audit tool that you've been part of with the certification process. Give us some ideas, if you could, for our listeners in Robin's Nest who've not been on or ranch. Right. What, what are the factors that go into play to look at a farm, a poultry house with ducks what are you looking for? That means that it's humane.

[Heidi Pardon]

First thing, when you walk in, you can tell when you look at the bedding and the ducks, the care they've taken. The more the grower walks it, the more you can tell as you walk through with an auditor, they don't run from you, they come to you. We also have, I mean, the quality of the bedding, the outside appearance of the barn. When you walk in, you can always tell first appearances are everything. But we do check for air quality, making sure water, of course, bedding. Then the lighting is a factor in there.

[Robin]

Lighting's a big factor.

[Heidi Pardon]

Our barns are curtain sided, so there's a lot of natural light that comes in there. So it does throw another twist into the way that we call things out or reference things for understanding.

[Drew Frey]

And there's a lot of paperwork as well, because it's just a proof that the farmer's been in there, that they're taking care of what they need to take care of. And we realize that most Americans are probably a generation or two removed from farming. And so there's a lot of misconceptions, a lot of misunderstandings out there. And so our desire is to be transparent and to educate and have open an open door to people that want to see our barns. I mean, we're more than happy to take people through our barns.

[Robin]

That's wonderful.

[Heidi Pardon]

We want to give it to everybody. You know, it's not a, oh, this is the best barn. No, which one would you like to go to? And give everybody the opportunity to see? Because our barns aren't cookie cutter either. You know, people want to think of a factory farm and it's this way. We're a family farm. They are family farms. Every one of them has their little niche and I want to say personality because of the family they come from and what they each bring to it, along with the setup, you know, years ago they had.

[Robin]

I love that, Heidi, I love the way you just put that. It is family farms. And when you think about that, when I think that term factory farm is a terrible term, it implies something that doesn't even apply to ranching and farming. You're talking family farms and multi generational family farms that the backbone of this country, that feeds this country and do so safe, with a safe food supply and affordable food supply and especially when they're American, humane, certified as culver duck, is an ethically sourced food supply, which is very, very important for consumers. So back to that farm. You're going to go on that farm and you're going to see lighting, bedding, you're going to smell.

[Heidi Pardon]

Yes. You're going to check the records. We have manuals in each farm that are signed off and checked yearly depending on what all we need to do. If we update a process, we do have preening waters on farms, which was a huge undertaking as a company because the thought of an open water source in a barn and the bacteria load and what can it do and is it going to be beneficial? So that's another part of that, you know, with the audit tool, but the partnership of working through it. We'll also check, you know, when we look at the, the records, the overall mortality, how is your, how, how is your flock health and what's going on. They'll also look back on our records to see what our history has been. It's not just today, it's every day.

[Robin]

Yes.

[Heidi Pardon]

And that's what we really push. Every day is audit day.

[Robin]

Yes.

[Heidi Pardon]

I don't want to have to say, hey, heads up, we're coming in. No, we just make the schedule and let's continue to, you know, roll with it.

[Drew Frey]

And we've invested heavily in establishing strong relationships with our producers. And through those relationships we can make some of these things happen. They weren't necessarily easy. Some of the things that we had to go through with Danish entries and the printing waters and some of the many other things that we've changed over the years because of the relationships that we established, we're able to make those changes in these farms.

[Robin]

That's incredible. And again, multi generational American farms. And so we need to get rid of that word factory farm. When we're thinking about Culver Dock. These are family farms.

[Drew Frey]

These producers are the backbone of our company. That's the way I feel.

[Robin]

And the backbone of our country. When we think about feeding our families. It's very, very important. And part of our conversations in Robin's Nest are to really educate and provide the facts about relationships with animals and the importance of science and ev evidence based practices in animal welfare. And you've clearly defined that and you've tried new, innovative practices with your new designs, which I think is so wonderful and revolutionary. It's terrific for the animals.

[Heidi Pardon]

And we are continuously working with members of academia between just simple necropsies to troubleshooting barns, what we're seeing, that kind of stuff. We also have the open door policy for, for them to bring their students in, ask questions and tour and see.

[Robin]

It's about that next generation.

[Heidi Pardon]

Exactly.

[Robin]

And I know when Drew came into Robin's nest today. He said hi to you're the next generation. I love this. And it's important for us to bring people into animal welfare and make sure that they are ready for this heavy mantle of responsibility.

[Drew Frey]

You want to hand it off in a healthy way. It's hard to do. It's hard to hand off something, but it's necessary for the continuity of what we've already established and we're going to keep working at that.

[Heidi Pardon]

And we also continue to educate the community. A lot of people in Indiana don't realize that Indiana is number one in duck production. I don't think I knew that. Everyone thinks of corn and everything else ducks, but there's a lot of people that pass a duck barn and if it didn't have a culver duck sign on it, they would think, yes, they wouldn't know that there were ducks in there. But not just of the ducks. But I think in industry we have to serve our community and getting them to understand the options of agriculture and you know, the children that want to become vets, there's more to being than being a vet. There's other options of coming into a company and what you can do.

[Robin]

Yes, yes. And we really do have to educate the next generation because again, they might be three generations removed from the farm, maybe four.

[Drew Frey]

I know my personal experience. Both my parents were raised on a farm, but I was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the city. And so when I got into agriculture, that was a big change for me, but I've loved it and it's been a very rewarding experience and I think it can be for many other people a valid option to anything else that's out there.

[Robin]

I have a nephew studying agriculture science right now. I'm very proud of him. Wonderful. Very important.

[Drew Frey]

Yes.

[Robin]

Heidi, how did you get involved?

[Heidi Pardon]

So I was raised on a hog farm. I had a farrow to finish operation when I was in high school. And then I always wanted to do. I started in compliance, but I always loved the farm. Loved my hogs. Kind of just fell into the spot with Miller Poultry. And I had an opportunity to go out in the field and work. And I was given the opportunity to then become a flock supervisor. And it kind of went from there. Started with broilers and was an animal that my father was like, we're never going to have chickens on our farm. Never did. But it was a learning experience. I've been very fortunate with all of my mentors in all of the years I say I'm still learning. I learn every day. I Pick his brain. And I make him write things down that, you know, he's like, we did it before, but it has grown as I come over to Culver Duck, and it was, we need somebody for animal welfare. Okay? So researching what there was and going from there.

[Robin]

So that's wonderful. And you serve as a role model for the next gen, too, which is terrific. We're going to pivot away from ducks for a minute, because today we're in Robin's Nest. We're going to talk about the other animals in your life, because I know that everybody has another animal that's their favorite animal. I was really fascinated today when I asked another gentleman this in Robin's Nest, and he said, you know, my favorite animal is still the chicken. I said, seriously, how about a dog, a cat, or elephant? Chicken. It was still his favorite. So I have to ask you, Heidi, your favorite animal is a pig. A pig.

[Heidi Pardon]

I love pigs.

[Robin]

But you didn't know that, Drew, did you?

[Heidi Pardon]

Because of, you know, we can't have pigs and chickens and ducks and all of that stuff. Yes. I loved having our farrowing house and the little pigs, and that is truly my favorite.

[Robin]

And they're smart animals.

[Heidi Pardon]

They very much are. I had a potbelly as a rescue for a little bit, but, yeah, that's a no no now. So I can only go see them every once in a while on other people's farms besides my German shepher, my big baby at home. So.

[Robin]

Yes. And what's his name?

[Heidi Pardon]

Ruger.

[Robin]

Ruger. I love that. That's. Love it. Okay, Drew, we're flipping it to you now. Growing up in Fort Wayne, off the farm, what was your favorite animal?

[Drew Frey]

Dogs and cats growing up. But I gotta say, now my favorite animal is probably my grandchildren because they are animals. I got six of them under the age of four. But my son does have a dog. Yeah. And we love that dog. So I'm gonna say the grand dog. If we go beyond ducks, because ducks are the cutest poultry in the world, I'd go with dogs. I love dogs.

[Robin]

Yes. Oh, that's wonderful. And those grandchildren of yours, too. Six under the age of four, if they're all over your house at one day, it's a hectic day.

[Drew Frey]

It is. It is. You have to find time to recharge after that.

[Robin]

Heidi and Drew, it's been so much fun having you in Robin's Nest. We love Colfer Duck. Congratulations on being American Humane Certified. We look forward to helping to share with all Americans how to cook duck and enjoy duck on their table. So we look forward to having you be part of the Global Humane Table or Next Cookbook.

[Drew Frey]

Yeah, thank you for having us here and just letting us share a little bit about what we do and about the duck industry. And we really appreciate that.

[Heidi Pardon]

Thank you very much for the opportunity. And we do. We very much look forward to the partnership and continuing for years to come.

[Robin]

Thank you. We do, too. Thanks so much for being here. Thanks for listening to Robin's Nest. I hope you enjoyed today's conversation and learned more about the work we're doing to protect animals everywhere. Don't forget to stay connected with us at American Humane. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn AmericanHumane. And if you're not already subscribed, make sure to follow Robin's Nest so you never miss a an episode. Thanks again. And remember, every act of kindness makes a difference.