Meet Franklin, my little call duck buddy!
Franklin is a very special little duck. I had been wanting call ducks for years but never dived in, until a friend of mine asked me to experiment with some eggs he'd gotten and place them under my broody duck. Unfortunately they were already 10 days in, and out of the 3 that he gave me one 1 made it to internal pipping. I had to fully assist him, but it was a successful hatch and he was a healthy little guy. I was instantly smitten...but who wouldn't be?
Unfortunately, since his clutch mates didn't hatch he didn't have any duck friends. He lived with some bantam chicks that hatched out the same week, and did very well until they were sold. I had raised a lone duckling for a short time the previous year so I knew how to handle it, and I was planning on getting more call duck friends for him later. Almost a week in I noticed something wasn't quite right with the little guy.
His bill was developing oddly as the bones of his face weren't quite right. I asked if anyone had experience with this condition and several people told me to cull him. I responded that I would care for him as long as his quality of life was good, he was able to eat, and grew well. So, I just kept on spoiling him!
In the time that I've had him he has thrived! He will be turning 4 weeks old next week, and is growing just as he should be. His bill is worsening as he grows, and time will tell what his future brings, but I believe every life has a chance. This guy is an awesome snuggler, hilarious little spaz, and my special little buddy. I'm so happy I went with my gut and gave him a chance
He even made it onto the front page of CuteOverload.com...TWICE!
---> http://cuteoverload.com/2014/05/01/kaitlyn-h-strikes-again/
---> http://cuteoverload.com/2014/05/09/franklin/#comment-1001469
I do NOT recommend raising ducklings alone. However, Franklin has done very well with his very own special brooder in the house. He has stuffed animals to snuggle, mirrors to give himself visual companionship, and gets a LOT of play time with his human family. He is quite the spoiled little guy.
I would like to use this thread to update on his progress, mostly as a journal to myself but you all are welcome to follow along!
Here's the video I made of him. I plan on making another as he continues to grow and show his progress growing into an adult duck. I am still looking for that perfect companion for Franklin, but for now he is thriving and happy ^_^
Franklin is a very special little duck. I had been wanting call ducks for years but never dived in, until a friend of mine asked me to experiment with some eggs he'd gotten and place them under my broody duck. Unfortunately they were already 10 days in, and out of the 3 that he gave me one 1 made it to internal pipping. I had to fully assist him, but it was a successful hatch and he was a healthy little guy. I was instantly smitten...but who wouldn't be?
Unfortunately, since his clutch mates didn't hatch he didn't have any duck friends. He lived with some bantam chicks that hatched out the same week, and did very well until they were sold. I had raised a lone duckling for a short time the previous year so I knew how to handle it, and I was planning on getting more call duck friends for him later. Almost a week in I noticed something wasn't quite right with the little guy.
In the time that I've had him he has thrived! He will be turning 4 weeks old next week, and is growing just as he should be. His bill is worsening as he grows, and time will tell what his future brings, but I believe every life has a chance. This guy is an awesome snuggler, hilarious little spaz, and my special little buddy. I'm so happy I went with my gut and gave him a chance
He even made it onto the front page of CuteOverload.com...TWICE!
---> http://cuteoverload.com/2014/05/01/kaitlyn-h-strikes-again/
---> http://cuteoverload.com/2014/05/09/franklin/#comment-1001469
I do NOT recommend raising ducklings alone. However, Franklin has done very well with his very own special brooder in the house. He has stuffed animals to snuggle, mirrors to give himself visual companionship, and gets a LOT of play time with his human family. He is quite the spoiled little guy.
I would like to use this thread to update on his progress, mostly as a journal to myself but you all are welcome to follow along!
Here's the video I made of him. I plan on making another as he continues to grow and show his progress growing into an adult duck
. I am still looking for that perfect companion for Franklin, but for now he is thriving and happy ^_^
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