23 ducklings in one clutch?!

[Canadian Wind]

It's amazing how protective she is with her babies. I've seen her fight off predators with a fierce anger so it's a testament to how well she is as a Mama to have this many babies still. But I know she must be so tired at this point so I try to feed her as much as I can to keep her strength and energy up. It will be nice when the chicks are full grown and she can relax again.

Until the next clutch...

 

[chris330r]

Good news to report! There ARE still 21 ducklings left. They all scattered about a little while ago making them easy to count and I counted twice and both times got 21!! So none were picked off last week as I thought. By the time I thought to take a pic Mama had them down in the water and out of view. So i'll try and get them all in a shot tomorrow.
She had all 21 trailing behind her and it was such a funny sight that I was enjoying watching it so much that I didn't think to run inside for the phone to snap a pic. It's still early so perhaps they'll make another visit later on.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s great she still has all 21 what a great mama

 

[chris330r]

That’s great she still has all 21 what a great mama

They came back just now. They all huddled together for seeds so I got em all in one shot! I counted 21!!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Makes the 13 my Muscovy (also a Chocolate!) has right now seem like nothing, lol!

 

[Miss Lydia]

And my Muscovy just has 2. She would be so envious.

 

[chris330r]

Makes the 13 my Muscovy (also a Chocolate!) has right now seem like nothing, lol!

I have to get a shot of them all waddling behind Mama because it's such a cute and hysterical sight---like she's leading a big parade!

 

[chris330r]

And my Muscovy just has 2. She would be so envious.

I doubt it because Mama looks so tired while standing guard over all these chicks. Her eyes were closing like she was dying for a long nap but can't because she has to stay alert. I'll be glad for her when her work is done with this giant clutch because she deserves a good long rest afterwards.
I feed her extra whole wheat bread to keep her energy up. She doesn't care for the seeds and leaves them for the chicks to eat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Whole wheat bread isn't so good for her. Can't you get some poultry feed? Actually my Muscovy love dog food [dry] I have a small mini dachshund so his food is small kibble and my Muscovy would rather have it for a treat than mealworms. What she needs is protein not carbs.
My Mama is 12 yrs old and believe me she is tired with only the 2 little ones.

 

[chris330r]

Whole wheat bread isn't so good for her. Can't you get some poultry feed? Actually my Muscovy love dog food [dry] I have a small mini dachshund so his food is small kibble and my Muscovy would rather have it for a treat than mealworms. What she needs is protein not carbs.
My Mama is 12 yrs old and believe me she is tired with only the 2 little ones.

If I throw seeds out those savage white ibis birds descend upon it all in a group and don't allow the ducks any. These birds are really ugly vulture types when it comes to food and they hog everything from the birds and ducks and nothing I do makes them leave either. They're outside my window from morning to sundown.
So with the bread I can at least ensure Mama gets it because she comes so close to me that I can toss it in her mouth (and these evil birds still try and take it from her mouth with their long beaks.)
I'm certain they'll vacuum up all the dog kibble the second I throw it out and Mama would get none. At least with the bread, she gets the food. The chicks get to eat all the seeds only because Mama stands guard and keeps the Ibis birds away.
Still, i'll pick up a small bag of dry dog kibble tomorrow and see if I can find a way to feed it to her without those vultures stealing it all. I love animals but really hate those birds lol.