Ducklings Live

Posted on April 17, 2014 in Our Animals.

Duckth Vader drinking from his water feeder. A very cute duck photo

Updates:

The camera is no longer live, but you can still view the video below.


22/04 - They are drinking and eating on their own now with no prompting from us, and seem to be a lot stronger than they were.


21/04 - David and Duckth seem to have almost mastered standing up now, and are doing very well in the brooder. Now we just need to get them to eat.

David and Duckth Vader as starting to "fluff up".

20/04 (pm) - At 1:30pm David and Duckth Vader pushed themselves out of their shells, and are now trying to stand up. We've been helping them to stand but they've not been doing too well. They are a little off balance due to slightly odd necks, but they should straighten themselves up and learn to walk. The ducklings have had a little bath to wash off any gunk from their down. We also blow dried them and fluffed them up a bit. They're definitely doing a little better at standing now. We're putting them into the brooder where they can grow until they are ready to go outside.

A tiny duckling in the palm of my hand.

20/04 (am) - After watching them be very lazy for the last few days we decided to help David and Duckth Vader a little. They're ready to come out at any time now; David should be ready to push himself/herself out of the shell. Duckth might need a little help as she/he is in a little bit of an awkward position. Unfortunately the other eggs in the incubator didn't make it this far. We suspect an infection in the incubator (a common cause for under developed eggs). Webbed feet crossed for the two fighters in there now.


19/04 - Two of the eggs have started hatching and have been making a little noise too. We're now spraying the shells to keep them softer and easier for the ducklings to break out of. The second hatching duckling has now been named "Duckth Vader" by @stevenmilne's wee lad.


18/04 - After becoming a radio celebrity, David the duck seems to have decided to lay back and enjoy the attention. He just keeps popping his bill out to remind us he's there. Here's a video. Apologies, the light we have on them was causing scan lines.


17/04 - At least one of them is trying to break out of its shell already.