Got my Cocoa Scovy ducklings! ( PICS)

[keeperofthehearth]

I picked up my 4 ducklings Sat!

What suprised me was the size difference of my 3wk olds and these which are the same age. What a difference having duck food avai. 24/7 along with foraging and snacks makes compared to foraging and just a bit of scratch. They look closer to the same size of my Zoey's ducklings who are only 1.5 wks old. They wanted to join her group but Zoey doesn't want anything to do with them and pokes them really hard when they try to join her ducklings.

Zoey is a first time mom with 12 of her own to watch and she isn't as steady in her personality as her older sister, Chloe, so I do think she just feels maxed out already.

I placed the 4 Cocoa's in a nest box in the duck house w/screen covering the opening, food & water avail. in the box. Once the Cocoa babies started peeping, I just watched and waited to see what the momma Scovies would do. Chloe, (who I had hoped would adopt them) was the only one who responded and kept talking to them and calling them. She took her ducklings into the duck house and set next to the Cocoa ducklings nest box for awhile. Once I could tell Chloe was ready to leave to forage, I let the Cocoa's out and they joined her & her ducklings. I spent the better part of the afternoon and eve supervising as Chloe wasn't too sure about those "different colored" babies and there was some definite poking & biting going on.

I also wanted to be sure our drake, Jason, wasn't going to hurt them since they weren't "his" babies. It was a bit touch and go for awhile but I kept close watch and stepped in a few times when things looked a bit rough. BEDTIME! I figured if they settled in for the night and everyone was O.K. this a.m. then there was a chance that it would all work out. There was still some unhappy poking today but by this evening, after me finding them a couple hands full of worms, they were all one big family. Whew!!!!!! I am sooo glad that worked out. Those Cocoa ducklings discovered "duck food" today and just couldn't seem to get enough of it.

Oh, yes.... and SNACKS! I am hoping with some good food avail. 24/7 they will start "catching up" with my 3wk olds. I'm hoping to get better pic's as they all settle into their new family group.
You can see the other Cocoa's lined up with their new siblings in the background.

 

[chickboss]

What sweet looking babies! I am so glad that everyone is getting along for you! I didn't even know you could add babies, that is really cool!

 

[duckyfromoz]

That size difference is incredible.. I often get amazed looks when I tell people who want to buy them how old my ducklings are. They have no idea how fast they really do gro when housed and fed well. I love the top pic with all the little duckie butts at the top of the photo.

 

[Bleenie]

!!

Some of my auction & locally bought eggs actually hatched starting yesterday-ish. i was so suprised since i sort of neglected them for the last week. there's some different 'patterened' ones but so far theyre all black & 1 blue...i REALLY want to get a couple more chocolates from someone else, im having a hard time Not keeping my new babies, lol.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Awwww! Its is soo sweet! The Cocoa ducklings are fully intgrated into Chloe's group today. No extra poking going on. They look so happy and they are just love'n that duck chow!

Chloe's babies are spoiled. They eat the duck chow but don't act nearly as excited about it.

Yes, my fault, I know. I am so proud of Chloe.

She is such a good, stable mama duck.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

there's some different 'patterened' ones

Bleenie, be sure to keep us posted if you do get some other patterns. PICS!!!

 

[judyc]

Wow! I had no idea they would assimilate ducklings that old! Good for you!

Where did you find chocolates?

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Wow! I had no idea they would assimilate ducklings that old! Good for you!

Where did you find chocolates?

I wasn't sure either but since I had some the same age and Chloe is such a "stable" mama, thought I'd give it a try.
Found them thru the Muscovy Breeders map. I've bought fm the lady before but last year was her first year w/chocolates and she didn't want to sell any at the time. She contacted me last week and said she had 4 babies she was willing to sell out of 7 hatched. Boy, did I jump at that!