- Apr 11, 2012
- 40
- 0
- 32
Okay we've made progress the past couple weeks. They were for sure artificially raised and at least a week old when I agreed to take them so imprinting wasn't happening. I don't think it helped any having little hands and fingers squeezing and poking at them before they lived here. Squeak led the way in taking lettuce from my hand, getting into water, and picking pieces out of the water. Pip has started to let me touch her (i think 'her') and led the way in using an improvised ramp going to and from their current housing and in moving from place to place in a small pet carrier. I think Pip has figured out that the carrier means outside or bathtub for the two of them. They let me clean all around them with flipping out and also appear to have learned their names which delights me to no end. They've started losing their baby down and graduated from their basin of water to soaking themselves in the bathtub. Head under water is what Squeak seems to like most about the bathtub while Pip likes blowing bubbles. LOL Sometimes I talk to them from another room just to hear them answer me. And I am amazed at how unafraid they appear of my 13yr old Aussie mix. If Diz was younger I'd be finding a trainer to work with to see if she could learn to herd and protect her ducklings.
The question I have is about them eating. I'm learning what some of their talk means and have no doubt that nonstop yelling in the morning after hearing my voice means food and water NOW. So first thing in the morning they get fresh crumbles and water, then comes the yell that means more water so they get more water. I've been taking them outside late morning/early afternoon where they are protected in a 4x4 covered enclosure I call their playpen. Once they've been outside they will not eat crumbles for the rest of the day. They'll eat whatever they find outside except for crumbles. Also they eat lettuce and peas. Is this a normal reaction to the great outdoors, crumbles only being acceptable at breakfast? Then again, lettuce and peas are only acceptable when water is involved. How do I know they're getting enough to eat or eating what they need nutrition-wise?
I'm rather excited because tomorrow, if the weather holds, Squeak and Pip are going to be introduced to a 10x10 section of land that is part of their eventual housing. And by this time next week they should be outside full time with their safe place to sleep at night!
The question I have is about them eating. I'm learning what some of their talk means and have no doubt that nonstop yelling in the morning after hearing my voice means food and water NOW. So first thing in the morning they get fresh crumbles and water, then comes the yell that means more water so they get more water. I've been taking them outside late morning/early afternoon where they are protected in a 4x4 covered enclosure I call their playpen. Once they've been outside they will not eat crumbles for the rest of the day. They'll eat whatever they find outside except for crumbles. Also they eat lettuce and peas. Is this a normal reaction to the great outdoors, crumbles only being acceptable at breakfast? Then again, lettuce and peas are only acceptable when water is involved. How do I know they're getting enough to eat or eating what they need nutrition-wise?
I'm rather excited because tomorrow, if the weather holds, Squeak and Pip are going to be introduced to a 10x10 section of land that is part of their eventual housing. And by this time next week they should be outside full time with their safe place to sleep at night!
