Author Topic: New ducklings and their confused Momma (Read 8288 times)

Patty S · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2008, 11:36:15 AM »

Sarah, I've been enjoying this thread since you first announced the arrival of the first hatch, but I've been so tied up between family & working at the school, I haven't had much time to post. You are going to have SOOO MUCH FUN watching these babies with their chicken Mommy!

A friend of ours in Montana hatched a duck egg under a Banty hen, & they were so cute together.

The duckling grew really fast (& of course, the hen stayed the same size). After a few weeks, when it was "snuggle time" she would fluff out her wings so he could crawl under her.... but what ended up happening, was that the hen would be sitting on top of the duck!

I don't think I'd ever seen anything so funny as a chicken riding around on a duck's back!

Keep the pics coming! What a great adventure you have going on in your back yard!

Peggy · « **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2008, 12:37:41 PM »

those pictures are sooooo cool! Thank you for sharing them!!
Hugs, Peg

patches · « **Reply #27 on:** May 23, 2008, 12:06:52 AM »

What awesome pictures, Sarah!

Thanks so much for sharing them.

You are getting quite a little family there.

Triss · « **Reply #28 on:** May 23, 2008, 02:48:51 PM »

Those were some great shots Sarah.

So how many ducklings does that make now?

Bonnie · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2008, 05:55:18 PM »

Thanks for making me a duckie aunt. That's a whole lot better than being a monkey's uncle.

Patty S · « **Reply #30 on:** May 30, 2008, 11:52:55 AM »

We went to see Sarah yesterday & met the baby ducks.

They were pretty shy & didn't want anything to do with Lily, so she left their pen area & went out to try for some interaction with their relatives.

No luck there, either... she could only herd them around, & they wouldn't stop to be friendly.

In the absence of so many spectators, the babies played in the water & ate lettuce.

Their Mommy stood on the sidelines, probably wondering why she can't seem to control this little brood when they're near water!

barleychown · « **Reply #31 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 12:17:13 PM »

My babies are growing up.

They will be going off to their new home soon. I will miss them, but I am sure they will be happy.

Triss · « **Reply #32 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 12:28:27 PM »

Awww, you do not get to keep these lil ones? They sure do grow up fast!

barleychown · « **Reply #33 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 12:43:42 PM »

I am giving them to a couple with 8 children, who live out in the country and want them for the eggs. In return, they will finish raising them, then give me back one female, if one should happen to have the crest.

Right now, I think all my back yard can support is about met.

Maybe, as I refine my methods out there, I will add more ducks, but never more chickens. The ducks do far better here in the rain, and seem to forage for more of their own food.

I love the little guys, and I sure will miss them. However, I do have two more hens on eggs, and if those hatch, they will around June 15th.

Triss · « **Reply #34 on:** Jun 06, 2008, 03:05:40 PM »

That is a good plan and I am sure that having the eggs will be a blessing for a family with 8 kiddos!

patches · « **Reply #35 on:** Jun 13, 2008, 09:01:54 PM »

Oh geesh, Sarah, I'm sure you're going to miss the two little quackers, and I'll miss seeing them as they grow up.

barleychown · « **Reply #36 on:** Jun 14, 2008, 09:34:33 AM »

Here are a few pics from today...I think we are well into the ugly duckling stage.

Still cute, though...

All together. The three on the right are the first set.

Oldest three...

Youngest two...

If any new eggs are going to hatch, they will hatch today or tomorrow.

patches · « **Reply #37 on:** Jun 14, 2008, 12:21:12 PM »

Quote

I think we are well into the ugly duckling stage.

Geesh, Sarah, I don't think there's any "ugly duckling" stage with ducks!

They are still adorable!

barleychown · « **Reply #38 on:** Jun 18, 2008, 09:59:06 AM »

They went off to their new home last night. The people brought their kids when they picked up the ducks...the kids were very happy to be able to take the ducks home with them.

I do miss them, but they went to a great home.

So far, no new hatches. If they don't hatch out today, I'm going to try really hard to find a baby chick for each momma, so they can raise at least one baby each.

Dianna · « **Reply #39 on:** Jun 18, 2008, 10:07:24 AM »

I don't think I could raise ducks to give away or sell. I would get way to attached because I would name them as soon as they hatched!

Do hens really need to raise a chick for their well-being, Sarah, or is it that you like being such a "Mother Hen" that you figure they would, too?

barleychown · « **Reply #40 on:** Jun 18, 2008, 10:18:31 AM »

The mommys that are waiting for eggs to hatch will keep on waiting, and run the risk of starving to death. Having even one baby will make them go back to eating and being normal.

Dianna · « **Reply #41 on:** Jun 18, 2008, 10:32:08 AM »

Hmmmm. I sure hope they get some babies soon then, Sarah. Can't be having the mommies starve.

Do you just sneak the baby chicks under them and remove the eggs to convince them that those are their babies?

barleychown · « **Reply #42 on:** Jun 18, 2008, 06:27:03 PM »

No chicks in town.

Guess I'm just going to have to break the mom-to-be's hearts.

If you slip a chick under a broody hen at night, she will be none the wiser come morning.

barleychown · « **Reply #43 on:** Sep 17, 2008, 07:04:06 PM »

This is Bogey, one of the baby ducklings from this spring. He was playing in the sprinkler.

Dianna · « **Reply #44 on:** Sep 17, 2008, 07:29:15 PM »

Those are fantastic pictures, Sarah!

Are you using your new lens that you got as an early Christmas present?

Bogie looks so cute. He looks like he is wearing a fur hat!

Sprinklers are a good way to cool off on a hot day...

Triss · « **Reply #45 on:** Sep 17, 2008, 07:31:48 PM »

Looks like a lot of fun! Great shots!

barleychown · « **Reply #46 on:** Sep 17, 2008, 07:46:16 PM »

That is with the new lens...it allows me to get close up shots without my subject even noticing I'm there. I'm loving it.

Tonya · « **Reply #47 on:** Sep 18, 2008, 06:24:41 AM »

He is too cute! Awesome shots! I love the last one!

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Author Topic: New ducklings and their confused Momma (Read 8288 times)