I have three ducks, one is a drake. My girls have sat on eggs before but nothing has ever happened. The two girls have kept eggs under them in their dog house shelter for a while recently, but I haven't given them much thought since they've never hatched anything out before. This time was different.
Last night I went out to the chicken coop to lock up the hens and decided to look in on the duck pen. To my surprise, I saw ducklings in with the two mamas! I was careful not to disturb them too much, but I looked in on them and thought I counted 13 babies. One was not looking good, curled up next to the wall. I thought maybe it had just hatched out and was drying off. I left them alone and let them do what nature taught them.
This morning, the one duckling had died and was kicked out of the shelter. Two others were outside the door, looking pitiful. I stuck them in with the others and noticed one wasn't walking. It shuffled toward the others like it's feet didn't work. I did fill a dog dish with water in case the babies explored and needed a drink. Turns out, that was a smart thing to do.
When I got home from work tonight, I checked on them and one of the ducklings was alone in the shelter while the others were running around exploring vigorously. I picked the little one up and held it by the water so it could drink. It said thank you. Another one was looking weak, so I did the same for it. Meanwhile, the other 11 (I counted 13 still alive) were running around, splashing in the water, showing off, and having fun.
The two weak ones are on the left lower corner of the pic. I eventually moved them into my shop with water and crumbles. They're looking much better. The stronger one probably could have stayed with the others, but I didn't want the weaker one to be alone.
I'm very excited because I've never had ducklings before! We have a 2 acre pond they'll get to live on eventually, but until then, I get to enjoy them!
Yay!
Last night I went out to the chicken coop to lock up the hens and decided to look in on the duck pen. To my surprise, I saw ducklings in with the two mamas! I was careful not to disturb them too much, but I looked in on them and thought I counted 13 babies. One was not looking good, curled up next to the wall. I thought maybe it had just hatched out and was drying off. I left them alone and let them do what nature taught them.
This morning, the one duckling had died and was kicked out of the shelter. Two others were outside the door, looking pitiful. I stuck them in with the others and noticed one wasn't walking. It shuffled toward the others like it's feet didn't work. I did fill a dog dish with water in case the babies explored and needed a drink. Turns out, that was a smart thing to do.
When I got home from work tonight, I checked on them and one of the ducklings was alone in the shelter while the others were running around exploring vigorously. I picked the little one up and held it by the water so it could drink. It said thank you. Another one was looking weak, so I did the same for it. Meanwhile, the other 11 (I counted 13 still alive) were running around, splashing in the water, showing off, and having fun.
The two weak ones are on the left lower corner of the pic. I eventually moved them into my shop with water and crumbles. They're looking much better. The stronger one probably could have stayed with the others, but I didn't want the weaker one to be alone.
I'm very excited because I've never had ducklings before! We have a 2 acre pond they'll get to live on eventually, but until then, I get to enjoy them!
Yay!
