Mixed Scovy Ducklings - Hatch Grow Journal - Update 2/2011 - Lost One

[Nifty-Chicken]

It's a beautiful day out today so we decided to let the little ones have a go at exploring our flooded bakyard. When we got out there we were shocked to see our little flooded area was already being used!

 

[kelseygirl707]

Awwww, I have some ducklings hatching next week, this post is making it unbearable to wait!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Wow, they are growing SUPER fast!!!

Here they are on Emily's lap. They are hard to catch when they are outside enjoying the weather and freedom, but when they are on her lap them seem quite happy and content:

The mallard pair is still hanging around. Our flooded back yard is drying up super fast so we're worried they will leave. We'll probably put a little pool out there to see if we can keep them happy. Every day they come closer and closer to the house. For the past week they hang out on the back porch and today my wife and daughter held out some bread and the male came up and grabbed it out of their hands... too cool. Oh, here they are on the roof:

 

[stuckinthecity]

Wow, that is pretty cool. Wouldn't that be great if the Mallards stayed with your ducklings and became part of their little flock?

 

[DuckLady]

Such sweet babies!!!

I love mallards. They are so beautiful!!

 

[smithzoo100]

Nifty, What a darling pic of those Grand-babies!! Because of your little ones, I broke down and brought back 24 Ancona hatching eggs with us on our trip back from Vancouver, WA. Since that girl (their Mama) is obviously not too old to have babies, she will have her pick of beautiful Ancona boys when they grow up

They are due to hatch on the 20th of April & I just can't wait to see them!! How awesome that she gave you beautiful babies that look like they are dilutes

I look forward to eventually posting pics of your babies siblings!!! Btw, LOVE the new residents!! They are very pretty & that picture reminds me of growing up on the lagoon in Alameda. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

They are still growing like weeds (weeds that eat and poop a LOT)!

We've been keeping them outside in a rabbit hutch at night with a dimmed heat lamp in the corner and we let them out during the day to explore and play in the water / mud while it lasts.

Last night we brought them inside one by one for some quality time. We can't do all three at once anymore now that they are so big.

Here is "Brownie" (we LOVE the white band around the neck)

We're really hoping for all girls, but we're not seeing any differentiating features on any of them yet, so we're thinking either all girls or all boys.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Beautiful! Love the mallards also.

I've found that our Scovies seem to attract other water birds to our place. Maybe when they see the ducks they figure it must be a safe haven with food and water available. Last year, we had a migrating Egret land on our drive and walk up for a 30 minute visit w/our Scovies. I was outside doing critter chores, looked up and there it was standing in the driveway looking at me ....

Took a ton of Pic's!

 

[Sweetfolly]

Quote:
Aw. When I was growing up, my grandparents had their own lake on their property, and there was a pair of Mallards that stopped in every spring, let us feed them, had a clutch of cute, fuzzy little babies, raised them up, and then left. We called them "Ducky-Doo and Sally-Lou". Ducky-Doo would always let Sally-Lou eat first, while he stood by and kept on eye on us.

I tried getting some Mallards, reminiscing about Ducky-Doo and Sally-Lou, and now I have two big, stinky Mallard drakes.

I hope your little cuties are all girls, Nifty! They're growing up to be just stunning, by the way.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Quote:
ha... our female would be so lucky. He pretty much pushes her out of the way when we toss treats out for them!