Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Scrambles83]

A sad start to mothers day so unfortunately I am not going to get any ducklings in my pool.
At about 1am a raccoon struck the nest. My lovely broody lady flew away across the pool just in the nick of time so I am not feeling too upset - I would have been devastated if the raccoon had got her.
The raccoon ate one of the six eggs and broke another but he left four.
I am not sure what to do.
I could take them and eat them. Can anyone think why I should not do that?
I could leave them for her to come back to - but I don't really want her to come back as the raccoon now knows where she is and she may not be so lucky next time. I also read that they don't come back to disturbed nests.
I could scramble them for the chickens.

Below are two videos of the event. The first is of the attack and the second of the raccoon struggling with how to cope with a big egg. I put them in a spoiler but actually they aren't remotely gruesome and you do see the lady duck make her escape right at the start.

Spoiler: Raccoon attack

The attack

Breakfast

Oh my, that’s sad but I’m glad mumma duck got away in time.

 

[Scrambles83]

Live and let live and all that. He was just being a raccoon - I can't really fault him for that.
And I have the eggs in hand. Well I brought two into the kitchen already and pondering what to do with the other two.

Incubate them?

 

[LozzyR]

Oh no, not the drop bears again

Not sure if you were with us Marie, the last time I posted this.

 

[featherhead007]

Do you always have to agree with Alex

Maybe be daddy duck has other problems how are we supposed to know. We can't just assume. Poor daddy duck

Yah. Maybe it was duck season? “Bang”!!

 

[LozzyR]

You look like a spy! A very dry spy. I love it, very flash.

Thanks! It mostly kept me dry; the hood slips a bit and some of the stitching gets a bit wet. I’m going to put some silicone on the stitching to stop the water from seeping in. The main seams have silicone underneath, but I’ve discovered areas such as the yoke and sleeve hems.

 

[featherhead007]

Yah. Maybe it was duck season? “Bang”!!

(We could hope not)

 

[Lady Red]

Oh my goodness...miss a few days and I'm so behind! Have been visiting family for a few days. Have loved seeing everyone, and the kiddos and hubby have been keeping me satiated with sending pics of the chickens.

 

[featherhead007]

Oh my goodness...miss a few days and I'm so behind! Have been visiting family for a few days. Have loved seeing everyone, and the kiddos and hubby have been keeping me satiated with sending pics of the chickens.

Family should be first, I’m thinking. Hope all is well .

 

[LozzyR]

I genuinely like that rain coat. Let me know if you want to sell it

Thanks! You’d need to be tall though; are you about six feet?

 

[LozzyR]

Sigh, sitting in a line-up for a Covid test for my son. Guess I’ll catch up on BYC since I was busy over the weekend!