SchmidtChicks Waddling Adventure

[SchmidtChicks]

They seem to get around amazingly, and don't have weak legs, my arms and hands can attest to the scratches haha.

But they do seem to trip over those big feet every now and again.

 

[SchmidtChicks]

Our little yellow fluff balls are growing so fast! Its hard to believe they were as little as they were~

Jelly is definitely a female because she is starting to sprout white feathers on her bum and in front / under her little bitty wings. The other three, possibly boys (oh no!), yess we're still playinf that guessing game, but we're excited nonetheless.

Jelly is a ball of butter and doesn't like being caught, runs like we are the worlds worst predator and we don't know why. Pogo is my baby, he is an absolute charmer, he'll lay in your lap and soak up your love (can you guess which boy we'd keep ;P)

^ Miss Jelly is usually in the pool more than the boys, and seems to be the ringleader for running away, once she's up everyone else calms down for collaction to coop up at night.

 

[SchmidtChicks]

A couple more photos while everyones out for afternoon free time~

^ Jelly and Bean are always together it would seem

^ Same as Pogo and Legless

^ Waddling by greetings

^ Bean and Jelly are off again

Our tell tale signs of who is who-

Jelly - smallest, most feathering, runs fastest
Bean - capped head marking with a v at front pointing to beak, blurry beak markings
Pogo - bigger than Jelly, all white except small spot on top of head
Legless - solid capped head mark, defined markings around nostrils,

 

[SchmidtChicks]

5 weeks old roughly and I'm positive we have 3 boys, 1 girl at this point. Since last week Pogo, Bean, and Legless have remained double the size of Jelly without a doubt AND Jelly is definitely growing in her feathers.

Is it safe to house 3 Drakes 1 Duck together? Or would we have to keep it to 1 Drake 1 Duck?

We love them all, and it looks like Legless will be a black and white muscovy, while Bean appears brown and white (based on their tail pin feathers). If brown is even possible? I've only ever seen the black and white and plain white kind-

^ Today we will move their crate to a fresh patch of grass as they've finally mowed down where they've been sleeping

*Note: We let the babies sleep outside, and have done so for the last 2 weeks as the nights aren't cold and we have no night predators.

^ You can see Jellys size and feather growth difference to Bean behind her. She has whites growing just above / infront of her itty wings, and under them / her belly.

^ Free time ans everyone has their waddlebud picked

^ Jelly and Bean are waddlebud pair #1

^ Pogo and Legless are waddlebud pair #2

^ Enjoying the grass and bugs

^ Time to preen and clean - (bL Bean, bR Pogo, fL Legless, fR Jean)

^ Legless decided to scoot closer and preen it up with Jelly

Absolutely adore our little waddlers even in just a few short weeks~

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are adorable. You need 1 drake to at least 3 or more females to keep the females from being over bred. Do you think you’ll be able to find homes for your boys?

 

[SchmidtChicks]

@Miss Lydia - I believe so yes, if not pet homes surely someone wanting dinner, or we'll separate them ourselves if we need.

We love the colors of Legless and Bean, but I'm in aww over Pogo's cuddliness, everyone else tends to run but he'll stop to let you pick him up and cuddle.

Which the toddler loves and he usually ends up her swimming buddy in the clam pool (not that he minds).

 

[SchmidtChicks]

So we decided to rehome Legless and Bean together to a family locally wanting pets only. And Pogo will stay with us along with Jelly~

^ Look at that size difference- this is why we believe Jelly is the only female as the others were bigger than Pogo too.

These two have never been 'close', but I believe thats because Pogo has always been the lower ranking male from Bean and Legless. Jelly doesn't mind the company and they are slowly becoming accustomed to being the only two.

Maybe one day we'll get more ladies, but for now Pogo and Jelly will be spoilt.

 

[SchmidtChicks]

Question: How do you settle a duckling who runs as if your going to eat them?

We've had them 2 weeks now and only Jelly runs from us. The others only ever ran because she flipped out in fear each time.

We sat and gave them some salad mix which they loved, and Jelly slowly edged closer, but any movement from us and she ran again.
I think she's going to be a slow progress bond~ Pogo is happy to eat our fingers with the salad and be coddled.

^ Pogo has the cutest pair of spots on his head!

^ She finally got close enough for some salads.

^ I moved the slightest and she decided Pogo could finish the food.

 

[SchmidtChicks]

 

[SchmidtChicks]

Day 2 with only Jelly and Pogo- Pogo is loving treat time, while Jelly still usually runs like a wild duck.

But, we had a break through! This afternoon she decided to finally come over for some green leaves and pats!