Hands on hatching and help

[Ravynscroft]

So I have to tell you guys a crazy story that happened this evening! I live on the end of a dirt road. The dirt road connects to a main road that gets a good amount of traffic in the evenings. Then there's a suburban development across the main road with lots of streets and houses. I went on a walk with my almost 2 year old to let him get some energy out, no stroller just holding his hand. When we got across the main road I saw a flock of ducks fly over our heads. I was really, really hoping they were mallards but then I saw my favorite little white/tan one. It was our call ducks! They were following us! I didn't see them land because there is a little hill and then just a row of houses. I picked up the baby and start calling the ducks. I followed their quacks. They landed in 2 seperate back yards, 2 on one side of a chain link fence and 2 on the other. Both yards fully fenced in. One house I know has a big dog. I was so worried they would get attacked or hit by a car. I just acted. I trespassed and opened the fence, went into one backyard and picked up 2 ducks in one arm, carried the 2 year old in the other arm. I walked all the way back home locked the 2 up and had to go all the way back and do the same with the other 2 (1 duck stayed home) and my older kids are at their dads so I had to take the baby with me. Thank god no one saw me, or let their dog out and thankfully none of us got hit by a car. I can't believe they did this!! They will sometimes start to follow us down the road but I chase them back. This time I thought we had snuck away and they didn't know. It was just crazy!!

The power of imprint, lol... you could clip wings or cover a run for them to prevent that...

Only you, @RubyNala97
!  If they are "call ducks", couldn't you just call them?  

Actually, I have mine trained on a whistle...

 

[RubyNala97]

Only you, @RubyNala97
!  If they are "call ducks", couldn't you just call them?  

actually they do respond to me calling them!! I don't have individual names for them though. It's so silly, I just go around calling them saying "ducks". since I'm keeping these 5, maybe they should get names.

I just checked and they have it on amazon.com to rent. Can't watch it this weekend but I know what I'll be renting first thing Monday morning lol

X2. That's what I was thinking. It will never happen this weekend but Monday will be perfect!

The power of imprint, lol... you could clip wings or cover a run for them to prevent that...
Actually, I have mine trained on a whistle...

They are so imprinted! With Mavis is was to be expected but I didn't know these guys would be like this. I didn't think About clipping their wings. That's not cutting the bone part, right?? I'll have to look into it, for sure. I'm worried when we get in the car and drive away they are going to fly after us. We've been sneaking out of the house very quietly so they don't hear us from the backyard. I'm not even joking. I've been thinking about making a covered run ever since. I think I will have to for winter.

 

[Ravynscroft]

actually they do respond to me calling them!! I don't have individual names for them though. It's so silly, I just go around calling them saying "ducks". since I'm keeping these 5, maybe they should get names.
X2. That's what I was thinking. It will never happen this weekend but Monday will be perfect!
They are so imprinted! With Mavis is was to be expected but I didn't know these guys would be like this. I didn't think About clipping their wings. That's not cutting the bone part, right?? I'll have to look into it, for sure. I'm worried when we get in the car and drive away they are going to fly after us. We've been sneaking out of the house very quietly so they don't hear us from the backyard. I'm not even joking. I've been thinking about making a covered run ever since. I think I will have to for winter.

It's just the feathers, and they grow back out each molt...

 

[RubyNala97]

It's just the feathers, and they grow back out each molt...

Thanks. Those pics were very helpful. I don't want them flying after me when I leave but if a predator ever came into the yard I would want them to fly away from it!! I'm going to do some serious research About it. Do any of yours free range or are they in enclosures?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok, so we watched Chicken People last night. It was good. Some beautiful birds. My son added a couple more to his want list..lol I knew that it was a documentary basically following 3 breeders around, but my only complaint is I would have rather have seen less of their personal lives and more variety of the chicken breeds at the shows.
Time warner cable has it on demand.

 

[Blooie]

I can't be the only person on the planet who has no desire to see this movie..... am I?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I can't be the only person on the planet who has no desire to see this movie.....  am I?  

Lol, No, but maybe the only chicken person.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Thanks. Those pics were very helpful. I don't want them flying after me when I leave but if a predator ever came into the yard I would want them to fly away from it!! I'm going to do some serious research About it. Do any of yours free range or are they in enclosures?

All of mine free range... have a secure enclosure as well, but they get to free range every day...

I can't be the only person on the planet who has no desire to see this movie.....  am I?  

Blooie, you are NOT alone!!

Not a drop of interest here...

 

[Blooie]

All of mine free range... have a secure enclosure as well, but they get to free range every day...
Blooie, you are NOT alone!!

Not a drop of interest here...

Whew!

 

[WVduckchick]

Ok, so we watched Chicken People last night. It was good. Some beautiful birds. My son added a couple more to his want list..lol I knew that it was a documentary basically following 3 breeders around, but my only complaint is I would have rather have seen less of their personal lives and more variety of the chicken breeds at the shows.
Time warner cable has it on demand.

I checked Netflix and it's not available yet. Will check my cable on-demand if I ever get the remote from hubby.