Hawkeye, I know what you mean about pets and 3 year olds. I think when they're older a bunny would be great for them. I had one when I was 8 yrs old and really enjoyed her. My kids and my biggest kid (DH) is crazy about them!
Ivy and Tweety, You guys did a great job looking out for your pets and birds. It's really hard to do but I know you realize it had to be done. Sounds like both found really great homes!
Danz, The duckies all had a really lovely warm bath today. It was a hoot and total chaos -- they and we loved it! We didn't get pics of the bath but DD took some after so you could see how they are doing.
There was no standing to pose for these pics. Their crops were full and they were ready for a nice nap!
I really liked DD's artsy pose below.
Danz, the ducks met my Maltese, Jorgi. Jorgi is an unusually empathetic and gentle dog. He was a rescue dog, don't know if that has anything to do with it but I got him when I found out my mom was sick. Whenever tears would start down my face, he would come running no matter where he was in the house. I suspect he could smell them somehow. I would pick him up and hold him under my chin and that's where he likes to be held even now. Animals are really amazing creatures. The ducklings weren't a bit frightened of him even when he gently bumped their beaks with his nose. He was moving very slowly with them except for his funny little tail that was wagging like mad. Another lost photo opportunity! Drats!
This morning I spent most of 3 hours watching my 9 week old birds for signs of any sickness. I powdered down their area since today was the day for it. I saw some signs of itchiness but I thoroughly checked the birds that always come to sit on me and didn't see anything that looked like mites. I'm hopeful you won't have any trouble. I had a bit of loose poo because they had mealworms last night but I expected that. It's not an odd color or anything so I'm pretty sure it's the mealworms. They have touchy little systems but they love the mealworms and I keep hoping they'll get used to them.
Here's Sweetpea. She's sitting on a towel covering my legs.
Pikeman, hope your bird is still improving. Poor you and poor bird!
So while the kids and I were watching the birds this a.m. one of them stretched up and cut loose with a squaky crow! They're only 9 weeks! We laughed at him so he tried it again without much improvement. Then one of the SSX answered him in a lower pitched croaky sort of crow and the kids burst out laughing again. What fun! Here's my friendly SSX roo. He usually takes one leg while Sweetpea sits on the other!
Trish44, it's amazing how a 2 week old bunny can take it in their head they don't need to stay in a nest box with mom. They're so little but they sure were hopping around with lots of enthusiasm. Just like kids and potty training, when they're ready, they're ready.
After all that time worrying over the birds, and getting things organized in case of weather, my ankle was throbbing and I didn't get to have a good visit with my bunnies. I took care of them first thing this morning and then this afternoon DH took the kids out to play with them. He did a good job making sure they didn't overdo it. Last night I put the towel in with them that they had in the kennel coming home . I don't know, I just thought maybe it would help them feel a bit more secure. DD took this photo early this a.m. before we took the towel out and put in some wood shavings in a corner for bedding. I wanted to be sure they were warm enough since they don't have their mama to help with that. I have an opening for a light up top but they seemed to be just fine together. They are inside an insulated coop so I think they're warm enough. It is kind of cool tonight -- what do you think? Light or no light? When the storms get anywhere near us, I'm retrieving the bunnies from the coop. Here's the pic DD took this morning:
They looked like they grew overnight! It's like watching the wings come in on the chicks. Their water bottle leaked so I used this waterer (on the right) until I get back to Atwood's for a replacement. They did great since they have each other. I have a treat thingy hanging from the top of their hutch and they can barely reach it by stretching up as far as they can go, so they don't overdo it but gives them something to think about. I'm going to go to petco and get them a toy to hang from the top too, when I next go to Derby. I saw some there the other day that I thought would be fun for them.
We did our bad weather drill with the kids and have things in covered tubs in the basement should we need to hunker down with the birds. We worked out an organized evacuation plan for the animals, including the bunnies! Of course, if we don't have much warning all bets are off and the kids know it's people first. My kids thought it was a total hoot making all the plans and rehearsing. They are so much fun, even with a task that's just a necessity. I love their attitudes!
Okay everybody stay safe!!!
