‘I’ve never known a duck like Krispy. He’s one of a kind’

Krispy the duck is becoming a bit of a legend, with pictures of him at Maccas, Bunnings – and here, in his local pub – going viral. How did he come to think of himself as a human?

Krispy the duck wears booties to protect his feet and hangs around The Malmsbury Hotel. Picture: David Caird

Krispy the duck is becoming a bit of a legend around central Victoria. His owner, Michael Glascott, is a chef – but there’s no chance of Krispy ever ending up on a plate with plum sauce. In fact, since hatching last Christmas Day from an egg that Michael and his wife Lisa nurtured in an incubator at home (mama duck having lost all interest), Krispy has won a place in Michael’s heart. “I’ve never known a duck like this,” the 60-year-old says. “He’s one of a kind.” Krispy follows him like a shadow at home, and even hops in the car with him. Lately, photos of their outings – Krispy at a Maccas drive-through; waddling down the aisles at Bunnings; or here frequenting the bar at Michael’s local, the Malmsbury Hotel – have gone viral online. It sounds odd, but the thing is, Michael says, Krispy doesn’t think of himself as a duck. He thinks of himself as a human.

Come on now, the bloke’s having us on, you might be thinking. But for the first few weeks of his life, Krispy the duckling was surrounded only by humans – it was very hot, so they kept him indoors. And in this formative period, it seems Krispy’s sense of self was cemented. And the funny name? They originally called him Chrissy, out of festive good cheer, but AutoCorrect in a text turned that to Krispy, and it stuck.

The viral photos are good publicity for the couple’s son Matthew, who runs Matty’s Sanctuary – a neighbouring property with rescued animals ranging from poultry to water buffalo, emus, camels and saltwater crocs. The community helps out with feed, money and manpower; Michael and Lisa also accommodate some of the poultry. Krispy lives at their place; he’s currently the only male in a paddock with 14 female ducks. It’s mating season, and you’d think he’d be having a quacking good time. But no, says Michael, shaking his head in wonder: “He doesn’t show any interest in them whatsoever.”