Ducklings

Our first ducklings. Isnt this one a cutie.

We decided we would do a bit of an experiment with this broody duck. Since we have chooks who do not go broody and we have ducks who are broody all the time. We popped some chook eggs under the mummy duck then a couple of duck eggs later on. All went well till right at the when every baby chick died in shell. They were fully formed and grown but something went wrong. After a bit of research we think that since the mummy duck got wet then sat on the eggs a bacteria got in and eventually killed the little chicks.

We did though get two very cute ducklings from her. She was not a vey good mum though. Wouldnt call the babies in at night or get them out of the rain. Will try an avoid brooding with her again.

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Make Way for Ducklings

Hello, sun in my face.

Hello, you who made the morning

 and spread it over the fields...

watch now how I start the day in happiness,

 In kindness.?

-Mary Oliver

The ducklings are getting bigger so quickly.  They really have a collective personality and are super entertaining.  Somehow they must think that we are all their mother because they tend to follow us around.  We have not yet built a structure for them to live in, still trying to figure our where poultry should permanently reside.  Here is a clip of the hilarious scene every morning getting them from the barn, where they sleep, to the chicken tractor where they spend the day. 

We also have 4 new chicks.  I know I said no more this season but I just couldnt resist.  Two Americaunas and two Wellsummers, hoping for more green and dark brown eggs to come!

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