Should I help this hatchling????

[Krazyquilts]

I've shooed them into the Maternity Ward house and Mama started pulling straw into the nest again, but then got back out and looked at me like, "Hello! It's getting dark, strange human! You're supposed to put us to bed now! This is the wrong house!"

 

[Krazyquilts]

I decided to just put both ducks in the Maternity House and check back. Just checked and Arial was sitting with the babies! Mama was sitting nearby, but the house is only 4' by 2' so it's not like she has far to go. I'm going to wait and check again in 10 minutes.

 

[Krazyquilts]

Arial is still sitting with the babies! I guess now they have two mommys! Or maybe a mommy and a nanny?

(Technically I suppose it's three mommys because the eggs were laid by a duck in Alabama and shipped up here ...)

If anyone has any thoughts or advice on similar situations or anything I should have done differently, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[WVduckchick]

I think you are doing fine. There is no right or wrong. I would guess they will work it out amongst themselves. As long as none attack the babies, one will take the lead and the other will do as she says.

 

[mobius]

Wish I could help more but hanging in there with you. Birds. SMH.

 

[Krazyquilts]

When I let everyone out of their houses this morning, I found that the smallest duckling with a smaller-than-normal bill (last to hatch) was dead. I was sad but not surprised. I hadn't had a good feeling about that one. It had really struggled to hatch and just seemed so weak. It was curled up in the nesting box like it was sleeping so at least it was a peaceful death for the poor little thing. The other three ducklings had migrated toward the other side of the house which is where the two adult ducks were. Neither duck paid any attention to the babies; they just wanted to go get breakfast with the rest of the flock. I wanted to see what Mama would do, so I let her out and she raced towards the rest of the flock without looking back. I think that her instincts to be with the other ducks was stronger than her maternal instincts. The ducklings were just left in the house by themselves. Neither adult had showed them food or water so I did. Arial didn't pay any attention to the babies until she decided that they were in her way in the paint tray of water and then she started pinching them with her bill and pulling on their legs. At that point, I just gave up and put them in a brooder inside.

Can't say as I'll mind having little whistle-peeps in the house again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Adorable

 

[mobius]

Oh stop!