My Blind Indian Runner Duck Stevie- Ray is now a year old - So I just wanted to post here to mark the occasion I never thought would happen when she hatched. I never expected her to live this long- when she first hatched with cloudy eyes, but am just so glad she is still around. I was just so worried about how she would cope. I have cared for many ducks with disabilities over the years- but mainly leg issues - so total blindness was a big worry. Knowing she would cope over the heat of summer, I did plan to bring her inside the house if necessary- but she has managed well living outside with the flock . She is the sweetest girl ..I was home from work today to prepare some birds for our first show if the year- and was so glad to be home and able to spend some time with her as well .
After being let out for breakfast- Stevie hadnt laid her egg yet- so I took her back into the shed. She wandered around the pen and found a spot in a corner to make her nest.
She has never seen another duck make a nest- but I watched her pull the hay around her- turn around a few times and then lay her egg. Instincts really are amazing. I have started wondering about letting her hatch some babies of she ever goes broody. I think she would make a wonderful mother despite her disability.
Here she is again outside again after laying her egg.
Stevie- Ray has a protector- A drake named Noggin who rarely leaves her side- he was also in the shed this morning with us- softly quacking while we waited for her to lay. He is her "seeing eye duck" when I am not around to watch out for her.
I hope she is around for many more years to come.
After being let out for breakfast- Stevie hadnt laid her egg yet- so I took her back into the shed. She wandered around the pen and found a spot in a corner to make her nest.
She has never seen another duck make a nest- but I watched her pull the hay around her- turn around a few times and then lay her egg. Instincts really are amazing. I have started wondering about letting her hatch some babies of she ever goes broody. I think she would make a wonderful mother despite her disability.
Here she is again outside again after laying her egg.
Stevie- Ray has a protector- A drake named Noggin who rarely leaves her side- he was also in the shed this morning with us- softly quacking while we waited for her to lay. He is her "seeing eye duck" when I am not around to watch out for her.
I hope she is around for many more years to come.
