baby duck with lots of problems

[Halloweengirl13]

She is so cute all surrounded by the little Bantams.

They are the same age as her ,they hatched and grew up together. The size difference is always good for a chuckle tho. She's the Queen of the brooder.

 

[Debs Flock]

He's about the size of a cereal bowl. I tried giving him some reptile sticks. It has a picture of a turtle on it and he looks at it but won't eat it. Maybe I will find something he likes eventually. I think they do sleep in a hole so that's probably what he's doing.

I still haven't got Clyde to take his pill. I'll try again in a little while.

Patty

We used to keep turtles as pets. They like a lot of the same things that ducks and chickens like. They really liked meal worms, grapes, melons, kale, mustard greens, water softened cat/dog kibble. Their absolute favorite was strawberries. They need a diet that's 50% protein and 50% veggies/fruit, heavier on the veggies. An unfinished basement is a good place for a turtle and they definitely do prefer to sleep under things. We made them a small wooden 3 sided box that we put upside down. Most turtles hibernate from October until late Spring (early May here). I love turtles.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We used to keep turtles as pets. They like a lot of the same things that ducks and chickens like. They really liked meal worms, grapes, melons, kale, mustard greens, water softened cat/dog kibble. Their absolute favorite was strawberries. They need a diet that's 50% protein and 50% veggies/fruit, heavier on the veggies. An unfinished basement is a good place for a turtle and they definitely do prefer to sleep under things. We made them a small wooden 3 sided box that we put upside down. Most turtles hibernate from October until late Spring (early May here). I love turtles.

So it may not matter if it isn't eating much?

 

[Debs Flock]

So it may not matter if it isn't eating much?

Oh, right...forgot to mention that they usually won't eat much for the first few days after a change in their environment and yes, they eat a lot less when they're preparing to hibernate. But...they can only truly hibernate by burying themselves outdoors. If kept indoors, they do need the bulbs & warmth that you have, Patty and they should definitely eat. Like ducks, they do well with routine. We fed ours twice a day. Same time & place. They like to get into their water containers...sound familiar?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, right...forgot to mention that they usually won't eat much for the first few days after a change in their environment and yes, they eat a lot less when they're preparing to hibernate. But...they can only truly hibernate by burying themselves outdoors. If kept indoors, they do need the bulbs & warmth that you have, Patty and they should definitely eat. Like ducks, they do well with routine. We fed ours twice a day. Same time & place. They like to get into their water containers...sound familiar?

Ducks with shell. I get it. Gosh your a wealth of knowledge In case I ever need to over winter a turtle.. I really love coming across them while we're walking.

 

[Debs Flock]

Ducks with shell. I get it. Gosh your a wealth of knowledge In case I ever need to over winter a turtle.. I really love coming across them while we're walking.

HA! Exactly, Patti. You know me, if I'm going to keep a pet, I read like crazy in the hopes of doing it right. I adore them. Hope to find more this Spring. We actually did mark ours with some nail polish on their shells to see if they return, but we never saw them this year.

 

[Julie Birb]

Ducky was the only duck that hatched, my ducks had just started laying again and I didn't want her to be lonely all her hatchmates were chicks and she got too big for the inside brooder so I tried to put her in the outside one but she was miserable without the chicks she hatched with.so about an hour after I moved her out I brought her buddies out too and she was so happy she peeped at them and they all gathered around her and she was laying her head on them like they were cuddling. I guess she's the leader of the group , because they all follow her around.

I love that. So precious and innocent. In your experience, can you predict that as adults they will still be close friends?

 

[Julie Birb]

Ducks with shell.  I get it.  Gosh your a wealth of knowledge In case I ever need to over winter a turtle.. I really love coming across them while we're walking. 

Wow, you see wild turtles Patti!! Cool. I never have in my life.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow, you see wild turtles Patti!! Cool. I never have in my life.

That's too bad Julie maybe now that your walking instead of riding you will.

I love seeing them except when they are trying to cross a road. I have to stop and help them across so they don't get smashed.

 

[Julie Birb]

I don't think the  turtle would have made it to long walking in the street the way he was.  We've adopted him so now we have another pet.  

Goldie is doing fine I just felt sorry for her out in the yard.  I brought her in the house to spend some time with her.  She's been sleeping in the pet carrying case at night in the coop.  I think that is probably the warmest place in the coop.  She picked a good spot to sleep.  

Topper is like the taste tester for all the ducks.  They will sit and stare at the plate and if they see Topper shoveling it down they will eat it.  There were a lot of corn kernels in the food bowls this morning but they ate the layer food and the dog food.  Topper must have turned her nose up at it.  That doesn't happen very often.  

Clyde wouldn't take his pills this morning but I'll keep trying to get him to take them.  Toppers gang stormed the food bowls in the back this morning and threw everyone off .  Then when I fed the group out front there was all the ducks competing for the food bowl.  Clyde didn't get a chance to stand off to the side to get his bread he was bomb barded by Que Seras group because I didn't shut the back gate. Leave it to Topper to throw the best of plans off.  

I hope everyone has a great day.  

Patty

Have you guys named the little turtle yet? Bless you and Robbie for taking care of him. You really stepped up to the plate getting him bulbs and stuff.

Topper is a hoot. She shovels food and the others wait. But I feel bad for sweet Clyde missing his pill. Back to Topper. She is a tornado of busy and its so funny how her posse just defers to her on everything. Does she ever hassle the birds in the other gangs?