Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
- thegawd
- Head Cockerel-Moderator
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Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
I know I know Im sorry! Iv been absent for a long time. I kinda gave up..... I didnt even want these ducks when Lizzie spoke up about them and said she wanted them, I was in the market for Grey Calls. But she wanted them and well they are supposed to be the best laying duck in the world, maybe so. One thing that is for sure is they really are a great duck, hardy and easy to care for, my kind of duck, or bird. Remember Lizzie and the kids take care of all the animals now.
So Oct 1st around 5pm I hear what I know is the sound of a crying lost duckling. I frantically go running around trying to find it and its running around the outside of the parameter of the run hidden behind the pole beans that are somewhat growing on the run, most of which are laying on the ground though thanks to the geese! Anyways I catch the duckling and was met by one fierce momma trying to get her separated baby back that she could hear but not see until I picked it up. she was one mad momma.
They were probably a day old and had just came outside for the first time. I knew she must have been sitting on a nest but I didnt look for it. I found and checked it out after, she hatched 5 of 5 eggs, %100 hatch rate, good for her! I havent seen the drake mate or even try to but Im not out there watching all the time. I fixed up the run so no ducklings can escape theres no need to otherwise intervene. the geese have accepted the ducks as a part of the flock and the cat knows better than to mess with the geese or there brood... she hunts the coop though and leaves them alone. (that crazy black male cat disappeared, probably partially responsible for decimating my flock)
Seeing things like this makes me really really happy!
Did I mention these ducks are at most 10 months old!!!
So Oct 1st around 5pm I hear what I know is the sound of a crying lost duckling. I frantically go running around trying to find it and its running around the outside of the parameter of the run hidden behind the pole beans that are somewhat growing on the run, most of which are laying on the ground though thanks to the geese! Anyways I catch the duckling and was met by one fierce momma trying to get her separated baby back that she could hear but not see until I picked it up. she was one mad momma.
They were probably a day old and had just came outside for the first time. I knew she must have been sitting on a nest but I didnt look for it. I found and checked it out after, she hatched 5 of 5 eggs, %100 hatch rate, good for her! I havent seen the drake mate or even try to but Im not out there watching all the time. I fixed up the run so no ducklings can escape theres no need to otherwise intervene. the geese have accepted the ducks as a part of the flock and the cat knows better than to mess with the geese or there brood... she hunts the coop though and leaves them alone. (that crazy black male cat disappeared, probably partially responsible for decimating my flock)
Seeing things like this makes me really really happy!
Did I mention these ducks are at most 10 months old!!!
11
Al
Home Grown Poultry
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- Killerbunny
- Poultry Guru - total zen level
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
Not much cuter than baby ducks! Congrats.
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- Jaye
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
Lovely! Nice to see that the pond is still there, and in use.
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- thegawd
- Head Cockerel-Moderator
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
Very, very true KB! Jaye it dried up once this year about half way through summer during that drought eventually mother nature turned the faucet back on. the ducks and geese were using it all along thanks to me digging a deep end in it last year when it dried up. It was pretty darn green but it gave them a place to get wet and remain waterfowl. I wanted to dig the pond a couple more feet deeper and was hoping it would have dried up a lot more but it never did.
1
Al
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- ross
- Teenaged Cockerel
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
Ahhh baby duckies . So much fun .lol
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ENJOY YOUR HUNTING / FISHING HERITAGE & the GREATNESS of CANADA
- windwalkingwolf
- Poultry Guru - pullet level
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
Glad the geese are ok with little quackers, and that the Welsh are producing so we'll!
1
- thegawd
- Head Cockerel-Moderator
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Re: Welsh Harlequin Ducklings!
well here is the bittersweet conclusion with the ducklings.... I'll let the video do the explaining...
Al
Al
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Al
Home Grown Poultry
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