unbonded ducklings

[loofa]

Okay, so having just raised up three lovely khaki campbells (not done growing up actually, they are two months old), two questionable little ducklings have landed in my lap. They were two days old when I got them, and are now a week old. One of them, Flopsy, is almost but not quite certainly a Welsh Harlequin. The other, Mopsy, is almost but not quite certainly a mix of Welsh Harlequin and Khaki Campbell. Flopsy is the tiniest duckling I've ever seen. They hatched on the same day, but it's half the size of Mopsy. And Flopsy wasn't in great shape when she (hopeful gender pronoun) arrived, with impacted feces that I spent the first night painstakingly dealing with until the poor little thing was finally able to poop (it was a huge horribly foul poop from a duck the size of a golf ball). They are being fed duck starter with yeast and I don't think the tiny one's small size is from nutrient deficiency, I think she's just runty (do ducks have runts?).

Anyhow, unlike the the khaki campbells that were perfectly contented with each other as ducklings, these two are only at ease when we are in the room with them. They peep pitifully and loudly whenever there isn't a person with them. Flopsy follows Mospy around, but Mopsy gets no comfort from Flopsy. It's like the stories of people raising up a single duckling. I now have a small cage that I put them in to bring them with me when I can't be in the room that their bigger nursery is in, but there are times when I cannot be with them and it's heartbreaking.

Any insight as to when they become more independent if so imprinted on people?

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Oh wow - that is one pair of super cute ducklings

I don't know if runt is the right word in duck speak but I definitely had some very very small ducklings from some rather poor genetic stock.

I hope its reassuring when I say that I had ducklings that looked way worse than these two who made it. Although it took them longer to thrive, they absolutely caught up wiith their brothers and sisters, especially when they started swimming and getting time outside in the sunshine.

As for the bonding, I'm afraid I can't help - we did put an alarm clock in a sock for an extra 'heartbeat' with our youngsters that were like yours. In general, it was often hugged and / or sat on by the ducklings so I think it helped !

Other than that, I would guess it will probably be when they join the others that you might have your heart a little bit broken as they go and make new ducky friends.

I think its great that you took them on and with such great care too - no wonder they have attached themselves to you. X

 

[Texag87]

Our hatch a couple months ago had a runt. He caught up with his siblings in about 4 weeks.

 

[loofa]

I just put a large stuffed animal next to their pen and they didn't peep sadly when I went into the kitchen to get some water. Haven't tried extended time in the other room yet, but will soon. Will report back as to if "Froggy" really works as a surrogate.
So interesting to know that the tiny ones you two have had caught up - I was thinking I might have a forever small duck.

These likely did come from "poor genetic stock" - I won't go into the story, but suffice to say, unethical backyard breeder. I wouldn't have taken them if I didn't just want to get them away from that situation.

 

[loofa]

Oh, and to be fair, I choose a good picture of them. Flopsy (in the background) looks much more bedraggled in most pictures.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They might like the stuffed animal in the brooder with them to cuddle next too. I had 4 different stuffed ones that I’d switch in an out when they got pooped on! Very sweet of you to rescue these adorable babies. ❤

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

I just put a large stuffed animal next to their pen and they didn't peep sadly when I went into the kitchen to get some water. Haven't tried extended time in the other room yet, but will soon. Will report back as to if "Froggy" really works as a surrogate.
So interesting to know that the tiny ones you two have had caught up - I was thinking I might have a forever small duck.

These likely did come from "poor genetic stock" - I won't go into the story, but suffice to say, unethical backyard breeder. I wouldn't have taken them if I didn't just want to get them away from that situation.

This is good news ! The sad peeping mustve been heart breaking and like any Mum, you need a stress free break !

I am hoping its onwards and upwards for these two - it would be great to have updates and pics as they grow pls.

 

[loofa]

Update: the stuffed animal only worked a little bit, with them mostly still peeping sadly every time they are in a room without a human. But now I am having very good luck with playing NPR for them! But if it switches away from calm people talking to music for more than a minute, they start peeping again. So for future baby duck owners, try a mellow talk radio station of your choosing (soon my ducklings will know more about world news than me)

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Am glad you found an alternative that works ! X