Pirate ducklings with chicken mama!

[aart]

Fantastic pic!!

 

[CrazyCrttr75]

I’m just bummed because two were moving up until TODAY.



just

I'm so sry

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm now having serious reservations about my broody's mothering capabilities. She was/is great at sitting, but I'm not sure about the next part.

Yesterday evening I got home and went to check and she was sitting on the dead eggs and her too babies were out of the nest just huddled together peeping. I took the eggs and gave her the babies and she tucked them in and all seemed well. She trills if I give her food and is more protective of the babies than she ever was of the eggs and I thought maybe things would be ok.

This morning I went to check on them and mama was off the nest and eating, but still in the area of the coop I partitioned off for them. The partition was askew (spent some time making it better before leaving them for the day) and I could hear peeping but couldn't see the babies anywhere. I figured they must have ended up on the other side of the partition because the gap was now large enough for them to get through. Nope. They were standing out in the middle of the run with all the other chickens. Just standing there peeping and lost. Fortunately all the other chickens were ignoring them and no harm done.

So I put them back in the coop near mom, showed them how to drink, dipped their little beaks in water and they spent quite a bit of time there, then showed them the food, then tucked them under mama, who was back in the nest sitting again. The popped out a few times and I tucked them back in a few times. Hopefully they get that this is their spot now.

 

[PirateGirl]

Mama is doing better this evening. She was sitting on one when I got home and the other was eating. Then when she let them out of the nest later she was showing them some food so I sprinkled some more and moved the water close and they all ate and drank then got back under her to warm up. I think they will be fine together now.

 

[Kiki]

Mama is doing better this evening. She was sitting on one when I got home and the other was eating. Then when she let them out of the nest later she was showing them some food so I sprinkled some more and moved the water close and they all ate and drank then got back under her to warm up. I think they will be fine together now.

He wants to swim.

 

[PirateGirl]

He wants to swim.

Definitely. It was the best water dish I could find that wouldn’t tip. After I dunk their beaks to show them, they take a few sips and jump in! Plus if I make a watered with holes only big enough for duckling heads then mama can’t use it. The waterer has definitely been my dilemma.

 

[PirateGirl]

I need to vent. It is the first day of summer and we are under a winter storm watch
I don't think I get to have a garden this year I suppose I could do a few planters with pollinators that I can bring indoors at night.

 

[aart]

I need to vent. It is the first day of summer and we are under a winter storm watch

For sure!

 

[PirateGirl]

Ok. The darker ducking hides more, so I don’t see it as much, but here’s one more for you. They were climbing on her back.

When do broodies usually like to take their babies out and about? So far they are pretty content in their nest.

 

[choncy77]

congratulations on your new babies!! how many did you hatch?