Hatching experiment - Time to make my Muscovy a mom!

[Miss Lydia]

They are adorable!

 

[My15Ducks]

Such beautiful ducklings! I love the little Welsh Harlequins

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

First brief duckling outing! Aunties Matilda and Remi saw their nephews/nieces from afar, but kept a respectful distance. Mama Muscovy definitely showed her babies off though.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Such beautiful ducklings! I love the little Welsh Harlequins

Thank you!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Forgive the duckling spam, I just can’t help myself!

 

[My15Ducks]

Looks like they are loving the outdoors

 

[Miss Lydia]

She will be an awesome mama, watch out for snakes, I don't know about there but they are sure around here.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Looks like they are loving the outdoors

They are! Mama has been taking them on brief outings, and is very good about making sure they don’t get too warm/cold. She’s also been showing them different approaches to getting back into the barn. The are only allowed out of the stall when I am right with them as I know they would be little snacks for every predator out there!

She will be an awesome mama, watch out for snakes, I don't about there but they are sure around here.

Thank you! Thankfully, we just have little garter snakes, but I guess it wouldn’t take a big snake to hurt a tiny duckling I will definitely be careful.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Little lady WH, Daisy, is now 4 days old. Her siblings are 5 days old. Daisy very occasionally trips and falls when running about like the crazy duckling she is, but everyone seems strong and healthy. Mama took everyone on a closely supervised tour of the property today, then the babies took a swim in Mama’s drinking bowl. They are already fabulous swimmers!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Oh, I forgot to mention! Mama does this new behavior -she does a little stomping/pattering dance when startled/alarmed. I think it means “come to me, babies”! I’ve never seen this behavior in any of my ducks, although this is the first time I’ve had a Mama duck!