June Hatch A Long

[jolenesdad]

I’ve read that before and thought it really interesting. We were the only big thing that our ducklings saw, but they definitely don’t see us as “Mom”. It’s more like we are “food dispenser” as well as “OMG! That human is trying to touch us! It’s finally going to eat us! RUN!!!” One ducking even hatched late and alone, was kept alone for awhile to treat spraddle leg along with plenty of cuddles, was then brooded with sibling ducks, and after a few weeks, had the same OMG attitude as them. I think that there must be more to it than just what the duckling sees. I’ve wondered if maybe the duckling needs to follow the large object to imprint?

So I need to get my ducks to follow me from the incubator to the brooder?



Kidding. Sort of.

This is gonna be @CluckNDoodle’s geese.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxR-wEsllWb/?igshid=a5e7jumtoa4a

 

[jolenesdad]

I’ve read that before and thought it really interesting. We were the only big thing that our ducklings saw, but they definitely don’t see us as “Mom”. It’s more like we are “food dispenser” as well as “OMG! That human is trying to touch us! It’s finally going to eat us! RUN!!!” One ducking even hatched late and alone, was kept alone for awhile to treat spraddle leg along with plenty of cuddles, was then brooded with sibling ducks, and after a few weeks, had the same OMG attitude as them. I think that there must be more to it than just what the duckling sees. I’ve wondered if maybe the duckling needs to follow the large object to imprint?

Seems you are right on.

https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/condor/v055n01/p0033-p0037.pdf

“Kom, kom, kom, kom”

 

[CluckNDoodle]

So I need to get my ducks to follow me from the incubator to the brooder?



Kidding. Sort of.

This is gonna be @CluckNDoodle’s geese.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxR-wEsllWb/?igshid=a5e7jumtoa4a

YES!!!! I was sending update pictures to my friend and she saw how excited I was and even said..."do you just want to keep these one's and hatch some more?"

 

[jolenesdad]

One more comment and I’m done, promise.

Just read in Dave Holderread’s book that vocal imprinting is the most important for ducklings. I already talk to them every day.... this will be interesting.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

One more comment and I’m done, promise.

Just read in Dave Holderread’s book that vocal imprinting is the most important for ducklings. I already talk to them every day.... this will be interesting.

You should never stop commenting! I love this stuff!
I talk to them all the time too. Heck, I even talk to the eggs a bit while I candle them! Lol!

I'm so ready for these other two goslings to start making motions to hatch so this early baby has some friends!

 

[LilyD]

Since I’m still 11 days out.... I figure I may get some things together.

@LilyD what do you keep on hand in case of necessary assist?

I try to make sure to have coconut oil, tweezers, qtips, nutri drench, polyvisol without iron, betadine (mix 50/50 with water to dilute it for dipping the stringy stuff hanging from their belly button into to help it dry up). I also have surgical scissors for removing stitches which work really well for if they end up attached to the egg by the little stringy stuff once they are done absorbing the yolk.

Also make sure that you have starter that has niacin in it like a gamebird starter. They tend to need more than turkeys and chickens so the chick starter won't be enough. I believe you can also add brewers yeast to it to make it better for them but I prefer to just buy what they need right off so I have it on hand.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

So I was out and about this morning meeting a couple of friends for more hatching eggs...the really comical part of getting eggs from friends vs buying hatching eggs is what you think you're picking up and what you actually get. LOL!

First picture is from my friend that said, "I'm trading my mean turkey and I'm getting you some Call Duck eggs in return."
Once I got there this is what her friend gave her for the turkey. Should be interesting to see what pops out! lol! I hope I can tell!

 

[jolenesdad]

So I was out and about this morning meeting a couple of friends for more hatching eggs...the really comical part of getting eggs from friends vs buying hatching eggs is what you think you're picking up and what you actually get. LOL!

First picture is from my friend that said, "I'm trading my mean turkey and I'm getting you some Call Duck eggs in return."
Once I got there this is what her friend gave her for the turkey. Should be interesting to see what pops out! lol! I hope I can tell!
View attachment 1813186

View attachment 1813192

“Some kind of duck”

Anything in trade for a mean turkey sounds great. Call ducks are SO cute though.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I try to make sure to have coconut oil, tweezers, qtips, nutri drench, polyvisol without iron, betadine (mix 50/50 with water to dilute it for dipping the stringy stuff hanging from their belly button into to help it dry up). I also have surgical scissors for removing stitches which work really well for if they end up attached to the egg by the little stringy stuff once they are done absorbing the yolk.

Also make sure that you have starter that has niacin in it like a gamebird starter. They tend to need more than turkeys and chickens so the chick starter won't be enough. I believe you can also add brewers yeast to it to make it better for them but I prefer to just buy what they need right off so I have it on hand.

I second LilyD's list! I keep a very similar kit on hand!
- Q-tips
- Thin Tweezers
- Little Medical Kit Scissors
- A metal cuticle pusher (I think, it's a slightly pointed metal thing but not sharp and whatever it is has really come in handy)
- A Push Pin (if you need to make a safety hole)
- Antibiotic Ointment (WITHOUT pain reliever)
- Nutridrench for poultry
- Alcohol Swabs (to wipe off the tools before and after each use)
- Coconut oil
- Paper Towels

I don't have any betadine but I may have to change that!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

“Some kind of duck”

Anything in trade for a mean turkey sounds great. Call ducks are SO cute though.

Yeah, I'm bummed about not getting call duck eggs. Though this egg isn't big, it very well could be a call duck. lol
On the other hand, she's going to a livestock auction tomorrow and is going to "keep an eye out for me." Then we're meeting Sunday so I can give her the goslings and possibly get another surprise from the auction. LOL! Time will tell!