Hello everyone! My name's Rachel and as of June 23rd, I am a new mother to two mallard babies. Here's a little background on our story:
My dad and I live in a cabin on a small lake. Another year-round resident across the way bought 20 ducklings last spring and the ones that survived the eagles and turtles were able to breed this spring. Half his flock (two drakes and two hens) moved down to my end and we ended up with two clutches. The mothers stuck around until about a day or two before the eggs hatched. I'm not sure why they took off but think it might have been the neighbors and their fireworks. Two days later (6/21/13), the eggs hatched. I don't know how many popped out, but I do know 6 ducklings made it down to the water. I met them the next morning in passing then made a point to check on the adorable balls of fluff each day. Everyday, I found that a duckling was missing. Finally, only two were left and both sets of parents have been gone for over a week, so I quickly made a pen and brought the babies in.
I'm not new to birds or baby animals (I have 2 parrots who are very confused by the squeaky things on the floor) so I've got the basics down on how to care for these litte cuties but I've never kept ducks before. I'm super excited to learn though and any advice you guys are willing to give is seriously welcomed!
My dad and I live in a cabin on a small lake. Another year-round resident across the way bought 20 ducklings last spring and the ones that survived the eagles and turtles were able to breed this spring. Half his flock (two drakes and two hens) moved down to my end and we ended up with two clutches. The mothers stuck around until about a day or two before the eggs hatched. I'm not sure why they took off but think it might have been the neighbors and their fireworks. Two days later (6/21/13), the eggs hatched. I don't know how many popped out, but I do know 6 ducklings made it down to the water. I met them the next morning in passing then made a point to check on the adorable balls of fluff each day. Everyday, I found that a duckling was missing. Finally, only two were left and both sets of parents have been gone for over a week, so I quickly made a pen and brought the babies in.
I'm not new to birds or baby animals (I have 2 parrots who are very confused by the squeaky things on the floor) so I've got the basics down on how to care for these litte cuties but I've never kept ducks before. I'm super excited to learn though and any advice you guys are willing to give is seriously welcomed!
