What they get up to in the middle of the night...

[duckyfromoz]

I do have 4 litle little ones just fresh from the egg right beside my bed so I can be woken if there are problems in the night. One was just out of the incubator just an hour before I turned out the lights... This is a regular thing....as it says in my signature.. Life wouldnt be the same without a brooder close by

But last night I got a shock more than I bargained for. At around 3 am I was woken by a very odd noise- very loud for little just hatched ducklings... As I looked down into the brooder box I saw 4 little ones all tucked up sound asleep.............. It was then I noticed the 6 week old young drake standing over them as he let out a raspy quack

The young fellow had jumped out of the box in the lounge and been wandering around my room for some time- evident by the number of messes I had to clean up. Nice to know he didnt mess with the babies though. Sure did give me a shock to see that... But as far as middle of the night intruders go... This at least was a good one. he must have headed to my room as it was the only room with a light on. Kind of makes me sad that he has to go and live outside over the next few days- he is a real sweet young boy, - but I cant have them wandering around the house in the middle of the night.

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
He was thinking "Oh good! More playmates to be! Can you guys come out and play?"

 

[duckyfromoz]

He is now outside with the other 3...at least for now. I have a strong suspicion I will be bringing them back inside for the night. Winter has truly hit here now- and we have a very thick fog covering here today- They have spent a few days outside already and I know they will be fine outside if I leave them where they are in the shed. I just miss them already.. The room seems empty with the brooder all cleaned out.

 

[Birdcrazy]

Hahah ohh I can just imagine that!!
No point being in the box when theres something to explore!
Cuuutee!

 

[Denninmi]

When my two older sisters were still of college age and living at home, the one sister had a summer job as an assistant naturalist at a local state park (she was a fish and wildlife management major). Part of her duties or something that got dumped on her, although she was happy to do it, was to take home some of the "abandoned" wildlife and rehab it. Well, one of the things she brought home was a juvenile great horned owl in the "creeper" stage -- someone found it in their yard and thought it was "abandoned" -- in reality they leave the nest at some point and spread out in the brush, with the parents bringing them food.

Well, it was living in the house at that point, and it was actually quite "lovey" and liked to snuggle. Unfortunately, it managed to get out and get into the bed of the other sister, who was pretty much terrified of it. THAT was some epic screaming in the wee hours of the morning.

 

[lovesduckies]

hahaha that's so funny!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

OMG Denninmi A duck I could handle...But an owl in the middle of the night would most likely scare me too.

Lovesduclies.. you would have been used to waking up with a duck looking at you after raising your 2 scovies inside like you did. Kind of disturbing at the same time as cute.

They did stay outside last night. So I didnt have any visitors. They were very glad to see me this morning when I let the adults out of the shed for the day though. I always get a little apprehensive on their first night out- but being winter here at the moment- I also worry that its too cold for them. It got down to 6 F degrees here overnight, but they are all fine in the shed with the adults. So with the 6 week olds out of the house - I only have a pair of 4 week olds and the 4 that have just hatched. It really is too quiet without the older louder ducks around inside.

 

[lovesduckies]

i was used to a duck rubbing his head on my arm or biting me so i'd wait up and rub his bill

 

[duckyfromoz]

At least mine was just standing there looking at me... He couldnt have gotten closer anyway with the brooder box right up beside the bed. I do sometimes sleep with my hand in the brooder- and they will nibble on my fingers.. but when they are so tiny its hardly more than a slight tickle.

 

[lovesduckies]

haha aweee how cute