Thank goodness for peas, first night out, and mealworms

I had a scare the other night.  One of our thunderstorms was moving in, the kind that has 20 minutes of strong winds, thunder that just rolls across the sky nonstop and 30 seconds of rain.  I was moving around making sure nothing was fixin' to blow away and saw the ducklings were very scared.  I decided to get them and when I went to do so I was careless and didn't double check behind me.  First Squeak saw a chance and got out and under the porch then when I was trying to see where he was Pip shot out of the carrier and under the porch with him.  The dog wasn't happy with this since it meant she couldn't see 'her ducklings'.  Got her put up and came out with the peas.  First piece by piece to get them out from under the porch then backed away and started tossing every other one into their water.  Eventually both of them saw where I was tossing them and went right back into their enclosure.

It was also their first night outside and I don't know who was more nervous me them or the dog.  While I didn't go sleep with them we did have all the air conditioning, fans, televisions and music turned off.  LOL  Had to be able to hear them if something happened.  Slept off and on thru the night with the porch light on, the front door open and screens put in, plus a dog who slept right by the door so she could hear anything.  Me, I went outside every 1/2 hour at first because I could hear how unsettled they were and as they calmed down so did I. Sorta.

Today the two of them got their first taste of live meal worms.  They've been ignoring the worms that show up and I remembered how an orphaned wild bird I raised loved meal worms so I went to the gas station to buy some. They went nuts or should I say Pip went nuts over them.  Poor Squeak is used to being the boss and she barreled him over, took them right out of his bill, pecked and yelled at him in order to move him away.  I don't think Squeak got but one or two of them.  I was told with the wild bird that meal worms are pure protein so I guess the same holds true with ducks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessiduck 

LOL, cute story! I know just how you feel! Its so hard putting them out the first night.... I cried my eyes out the first night our ducks went in their coop! I was so worried about the temp. and predators I could barely sleep! Now, they are fine and I've gotten used to the fact that they belong out there, but man, I know just how you feel!

 

Oh, and peas are a LIFE SAVER!

When they don't want to go in their coop I throw a couple in and they run like the sky is falling!

We've all about settled into our new living arrangement.  I still haven't closed the door at night but I have kept the outside lights off and refrained from getting my Mag-lite out to check up on them, the dog has stopped sleeping right at the door, the cats have stopped staying in the bedroom and I am once again a piece of cat furniture existing for them to sleep on.  LOL  I posted something about my rabbit not being happy sharing her space with two interlopers and the day finally came when they were no longer there.  Before the day was up she was back sprawled out in the middle of her rug queen of her world.  No more pouting in a box or getting my attention only to thump at me in disapproval.  And once lights were out  we could hear the sounds of a rabbit ripping around her room complete with sounds of scratching and digging at paper before skittering thru cardboard tubes connecting the boxes.  My happy rabbit full of attitude is back.  

We're looking at temps tonight in the 40's and tomorrow night in the 30's.  They are right at 4 weeks old; are they old enough to be outside in those temps?  I made sure to throw a mess of hay for them to nest on, took away their basin and food but left their drinking water.  I believe they'll be okay tonight but I'm rather uncertain about tomorrow night.  Should I bring them in?

Here they are at 4 weeks old cuteness to the Nth degree: