Finally an external pip

[davekrista]

So we moved the last ducky to the brooder this morning. I'm so happy. It was standing straight up and making lots of noise, and is all dried off and jumping all over the place. YAY. So we moved it with the others and it doesn't really know what to make of the others. My daughters are watching them and keep saying the others keep pecking at it and are worried. I told her it was ok but I hope they accept the new one. Also that one is the only one causing trouble. We made the brooder out of a dog crate wrapped in an old sheet with insulation wrapped on the outside of the sheet to keep in the warmth. And when the kids want to watch and see they can move 1 piece of insulation and lift up the sheet. And well, I didn't think of it at the time but they can fit through the little squares in the crate. And the new one is the only one that has discovered this and keeps "escaping" -

Such a trouble maker....

We're still thinking of names because my kids want to name their own duck and they haven't decided yet. So we're still thinking.

 

[katharinad]

Told you it will be fine. Watch out for the pecking, it can turn bloody. Most likely it will go away. I'm a little bit confused with the insulation around it. Are they outside or something like that? I usually brood mine in the kitchen. I found that a wooden shipping crate is the best option. Most moving companies give them away for free. The small crates are called unaccompanied household shipments. I lined mine with plastic drop cloth so the wood will not get all rotten. You can use cardboard around the crate so they cannot escape. Do not cover the top or they are trapped with bad air. They also need to be able to move into a cooler location in the brooder and the lid kind of prevents that.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
They are not outside but in my basement. My husband works for a place that recycles insulation so we can get all we want which is why we used that instead of wood. I had the crate wrapped in an old sheet, but the temp only got to 80 so my husband surrounded it (except for the top) with the insulation and the temp went to 92 (even in the middle of the night.) We have a blanket on 1/2 of the top and the light on the other half and nothing around the light. And the crate is big enough where they can move to the other side if they get too warm.

And I just checked them and they are all cuddled together sleeping so I think they have accepted the new one. I will get pics soon.

 

[katharinad]

Ok, that explains it a little bit better. Glad to hear they are all cuddling together.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

This is the 1st I was able to reply since I am up north with my family at a place called Great Wolf Lodge celebrating my son's 12th birthday and just wanted to let you know I'm beyond hystatic for you and your family for such a successful hatch with everything that went on with the last couple and almost losing them. I guess those 2 you helped hold an extra special place in your heart don't they?? I know they would mine. Congratulations, I'm very happy for you!! Awesome job!