So I've hatched out this one little duckling, an Aylesbury. I was incubating for a local farmer I know, and I've already done one hatch for him, but now I've got just this one little duckling I don't think he's too interested in all the hassle of raising and looking after just one bird, so I think I might be left with it. It's in the incubator fluffing up, and it's still recovering from an awkward hatch. It got shrinkwrapped and I helped it out (over 48 hours after pipping and once the blood vessels had dried up, so I'm pretty sure I didn't yank it out the egg too early...) and it's got a slightly swollen abdomen and a large scabby bit where the umbilicus was.
I'm not keen on rushing out and finding him a buddy, just in case he dies and then I'm left with another single duckling that I didn't even want in the first place, and anyway I've already phoned round a few people and the only ducklings I've managed to find within 20 miles so far are already three weeks old.
So what's best to do? I have some 4 week old chicks in a shed that he could go in with in a couple of days. They're still quite small so I think he could hold his own with them. Or I could keep him separate, give him lots of attention, raise him on his own and try to give him back to the farmer in a few weeks. I could try to find another duckling, but like I already said, I don't know if I'll have much luck. Or I could try to rehome him to someone who already keeps ducks.
I really don't want a duck, but I'll raise him and keep him properly if needs be. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd get him a buddy and dig them both a pond if that would be the best thing for him. I hate people who don't take responsibility for their animals...
Any suggestions on what would be best to do?
Or (extremely long shot I know!) anyone near Glasgow, Scotland with a spare duckling I could buy? Or who wants another one?
I'm not keen on rushing out and finding him a buddy, just in case he dies and then I'm left with another single duckling that I didn't even want in the first place, and anyway I've already phoned round a few people and the only ducklings I've managed to find within 20 miles so far are already three weeks old.
So what's best to do? I have some 4 week old chicks in a shed that he could go in with in a couple of days. They're still quite small so I think he could hold his own with them. Or I could keep him separate, give him lots of attention, raise him on his own and try to give him back to the farmer in a few weeks. I could try to find another duckling, but like I already said, I don't know if I'll have much luck. Or I could try to rehome him to someone who already keeps ducks.
I really don't want a duck, but I'll raise him and keep him properly if needs be. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd get him a buddy and dig them both a pond if that would be the best thing for him. I hate people who don't take responsibility for their animals...
Any suggestions on what would be best to do?
Or (extremely long shot I know!) anyone near Glasgow, Scotland with a spare duckling I could buy? Or who wants another one?