2019 Spring Ducklings are here!

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Hi Friends!

The first five ducklings are on their way and will arrive here in WV tomorrow morning:

And i have already chewed my fingernails down to the elbows, the forecast says -7°C (19F) for tomorrow morning…

Anyways, i have created an album with already a lot of pictures of my preparations and i have started an article that will be updated during the ducklings progress. Exciting February…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The first ducklings are here

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

First Video on YouTube:

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The second duckling shipment has just arrived, 5 healthy Buff Orpington and 5 healthy Magpies:

The difference in size and weight is remarkable! Just two days.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I sure hope they make it safe and warm.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Wow! That answer came fast:
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Hi,

That...does not look good to be honest. The fact that the foot dangles and flops when it moves could mean that there is no treatment for it. You could try to splint/cast the leg, but it's a long shot.

I apologize that the little guy came injured. We screen each duckling before they go out, so, and while I don't want to point fingers, it probably sustained the injury during transit. Without use of its leg I do not believe it will survive for very long unless given special attention as it will have trouble getting food and water. Saying that, we would be more than happy to send you a replacement if you would like or issue you a refund.

Please let us know what you would like us to do.

Thanks!

Samantha
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I must think about what i should answer. Having them send out a single bird isn't a good idea right?

OK, this is what i've sent back to Metzer Farms yesterday:
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Dear Samantha,

Thank you very much for your quick answer! I hesitate to point fingers too, but what baffles me is that the duckling is hopping on her left foot as if duck only have one leg. She has received a large dose of Niacin and a vitamin B complex and is now asleep, mother nature will do whatever mother nature decides to do…

Regarding the decision between replacement or refund, i do believe it is a very bad idea to ship a single bird at this time of the year, plus this duckling would be shipped out next Monday and be ½ the size of this weeks ducklings by then, so i opt for a refund or a store-credit.

Best regards from Charleston (WV)
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[WannaBeHillBilly]

Too slow, they're back out again, raiding the feeder…

And they're back in! Things change here faster than the weather on Mount Washington.
Here you go:

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think your doing what’s best for Forest. That is way too many ducklings for her. Don’t feel like a traitor you have made the right decision I think.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Yesterday i made a waterer for little Forest out of an orange-juice bottle, as i saw in all the countless instructions/videos/pictures i set the bottle down upright, cut two holes in it so that Forest is able to stick her head in and set it up in the brooder. It was empty after 15 minutes…
Today my wife saw it and said »why don't you turn it sideways?« - She is soo right!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

OK, last thing for today, they had their first banana…

One very ripe banana, Niacin, Vitamin B complex and two tablespoons of apple-cider.