Just wanted to show off my 6 day old ducklings! [pic heavy]

[Crayonsmom]

Here are the duckies.

They arrived one chilly morning last week. Unfortunately, one had gotten wet while in the box and became too weak to eat or drink or walk. (He was splay legged, but I hobbled him and he seemed to be getting better... But he stopped moving out from under the lamp and must have gotten too cold when his buddies got up.) So s/he didn't maek it.

One of my two had and accident with the water tub too, and I found him one afternoon when I was changing the water. I still feel awful.

Anyway, we still have 11 healthy babies! 10 Khaki Campbells and one Blue Runner.

This is before I changed their paper. The cardboard box is collapsing, but they'll be outside soon.

I decided to take the runner outside so I put him in a box just in case...

He kept trying to climb onto my shoulder and eventually settled down on my leg. I didn't want him (or her?) to poo on my shoulder!

So... does it look like I have a decently put together Runner?

Here's a little video if the duck in the grass. I whistle to them so they know who I am. So far it seems to work.

http://s543.photobucket.com/albums/...s/Ducklings/?action=view&current=DSCF3729.flv

I'll take name suggestions too. I just can't tell if this one's a boy or a girl yet.

Thanks for looking!

 

[FenDruadin]

Awwww... they are so adorable! You must be very proud.

I especially love the shot of the runner looking up out of the box.

I'm no expert on Runner conformation, and I'm not sure how much you can tell at such a young age, but here's what I've noticed, anyway: my McMurray-derived runner (we hatched him from parents who were hatched from parents who were hatched by Murray McMurray) duckling stands much taller than my magpies of the same age. However, my Holderread ducklings (shipped last week) stand even taller. The biggest difference is that the Holderread ducklings tuck their tails down too, while the McMurray-derived duckling holds his out toward the back like the magpies, while all the runners hold their chests & heads high.

I would say that your duck is closer to the McMurray stance, based on my limited experience. But this is not necessarily a bad thing! I love my McMurray ducks--they are healthy, happy, good egg layers, and very funny to watch. Definitely better-than-decent birds. It's just that of course the Holderread ducks are more carefully bred for conformation and so they are that much taller and Runner-esque.

Congrats on your babies. They are super sweet!

 

[chasing ducks]

I have no idea on names, my kids take care of that for me, but I wanted to say that your little guys are adorable!

 

[veronicasmom]

AACCKK!!!!!!!!!Too cute! I love runner babies!

 

[Crayonsmom]

Yep, they're from McMurray's! We've had runners from them before and have had ducks varying from a more Khaki stance to a nice runner stance. But I'll agree that most are more in-between. I don't really plan on seriously showing with this one, but if I can get another runner I'd definately want to try making some runner babies!

Who knows. I guess we should wait for this little one to grow up first and see how s/he turns out. Either way, he's a real sweetie and seems to ahve warmed up to me pretty quickly when I spend a few minutes a day with him.

We're all the way across the country from Holderread's and I believe McMurray's is much closer, so we order from them.

 

[FenDruadin]

We're all the way across the country from Holderread's too, which is why I never ordered from them before. But then someone here told me she loves her stock from Holderread so I decided to give it a shot. The ducklings arrived in a single day, from coast to coast. I'll definitely order from them again!

On the other hand, if you're not showing, who cares if they have perfect conformation? He's sweet, and that's all that matters.

Oh, AND he's adorable.

 

[Crayonsmom]

I can't wait too see how his feathers look when they come in. (And if he's really a he or a she. lol)

 

[Shady Orchard]

Hope you enjoy your duck!! It is so cute!

 

[Lolita]

 

[humm-n-cluck ranch]

so sweet!!!