my baby runner ducks are like walruses

[Goosey Girl]

I collected the eggs, incubated them properly, hatched some beautiful baby runners. They are healthy. Everything I've read says to make sure they have access to food all the time. I've done that. My little runners are 11 days old and in no way resemble a pencil (as in pencil runner ducks). Should I ignore the general information and put them on a strict food regiment or just let them wallow about like beached walruses on a pier???

This is them at night with my one gosling that hatched awaiting another gosling.

 

[nuthatched]

I think they should free feed as they're still growing, the uprightness might develop later.

 

[Goosey Girl]

I hope so! They do stand upright but their gullets get so full that they fall forward off their perch!!!

This was three days ago. They have practically tripled in size since then.

 

[Goosey Girl]

Our duck platoon on the move. Growing fast and 3 weeks old tomorrow!

 

[RunnerDuckMom1977]

I collected the eggs, incubated them properly, hatched some beautiful baby runners. They are healthy. Everything I've read says to make sure they have access to food all the time. I've done that. My little runners are 11 days old and in no way resemble a pencil (as in pencil runner ducks). Should I ignore the general information and put them on a strict food regiment or just let them wallow about like beached walruses on a pier???

View attachment 3455770This is them at night with my one gosling that hatched awaiting another gosling.

awesome job