sooty chicks

Those chirping eggs have turned into chirping chicks.  5 of them so far in the brooder box.  One, sadly, didn't make it through hatch but the others are fluffy and peeping like little champs.

Interestingly, these guys are white, not yellow, with random dots of black.  Their moms were black hens and Carlos the rooster is a mix of white and red so it's strange to see these little soot patches on their white fluff.  Sort of like a tiny version of 101 dalmatians.

Speaking of speckled fluffies, look how big the ducklings are getting.  Every time I wander outside they're underfoot, begging for food.  And biting my toes.

Even Tiny is growing.  And though I tried to give him a good strong name like Thor or Sledgehammer, we keep calling him Tiny.  So there we have it, Tiny.

I'm done hatching for the year so at some point I'll be back to posting about art.  Pretty sure, anyway.

distracted by ducks

I sat down to finish that storm stone I showed you yesterday, but when I sat down to put in some stitches I found I wasn't happy with them. Out they came, and out I went, to let the ducklings out for their evening swim.

The whole group, happy to be in the water.

The first born set of ducklings are getting their white feathers and are entering that adorably awkward-looking phase.  They're getting some tail feathers but still have their baby fuzz on their teeny-tiny t-rex arms.

Rawr!  I will slap you with my t-rex arms!

Nope.  No you won't, little guy.  But nice try.

The runt teacup duck is still very small compared to his hatchmates.  They look out for him, as if they recognize he needs the extra help.  He's very delayed, not only in size but in physical ability, but he's getting more active and growing a little every day.

Snack and snuggle time happens after the swim.

This guy thought for sure my camera lens was food.  I was laughing too hard to focus.

And if you dare spill food on your lap, you'll have ducks there too.

Happy Thursday, everybody. 

how much is that ducky in the window?

Peep, peep.

My little fuzzlings are getting so big already.

They're enjoying days out in the yard, safe in the confines of their tractor.  They're getting swimmy time and bug-eating time, and generally enjoying being ducks.

Their parents are not even the least bit interested in them, but it wasn't until Goose had turned white that his mom wanted anything to do with him so we'll see.  That's big Goose on the right, in mid-Quack.

And what is this?  Why yes, three new little lives were added to the brooder box yesterday.

 One little yellow Pekin and two silvery black Pekin/Cayuga crosses.  One of the little guys has yellow wing tips and an orange stripe on each of his black feet.  I'm utterly in love.

More photos to come, as they get their fluff.

Have a  wonderful start to the week, everyone.

and three

Three healthy, happy little ducks have hatched.  We're all smitten and enjoying their peeping and silly antics.  You haven't seen funny until you've seen three duckling swimming in your sink.  Hilarity, I tell ya.

Hello blue eyes.

Notice the guy on the left is sticking his tongue out.  Just like a kid.

Cuddling a duck while still in your pajamas is a great way to start the week.

Happy Monday, all.

and then there were... 8?

 

My little Goose-man has found his place in the flock.  Happily, he joined the group with less stress than I imagined.   The other ducks were extremely welcoming and once he got over his initial fear, things went... well, swimmingly.  He still comes to me and begs to be picked up and cuddled though, which I am more than happy to do.  

Since that went so easily I thought, "hey, why not add another dynamic to the homestead?  We're short on chaos at the moment."

 

Enter the darkwing duck trio.  These are Cayuga ducks and were in need of a home where they could swim and do duck-like things so I brought them home with me.  I've wanted Cayugas so it seemed meant to be.

 

Can you see that iridescent shine?  Pretty, aren't they?

 

As I had hoped, they started swimming and doing duck-like things immediately.

 

The regular crew shuffled in to see who these interlopers were in their pond and I was ready to intervene if needed.  I thought for a moment I heard them snapping their fingertips as they approached, but no.

 

Much to my relief, there wasn't any conflict at all.  The Cayugas just filed out as the Pekins and Runner filed in, and went over to the other pond.

  

I'm sure they'll figure it all out and form a lovely little salt and pepper flock soon.  That ebony and ivory song is in my head... "live together in perfect harmony..."

Have a harmonious Wednesday, all.

Goose is growing up

 

 My little pal Goose is growing up so fast.

It's hard to believe that only a month ago he was egg-sized.  

Just two weeks ago he was still small enough to sit on my husband's shoulder while they watched TV together.

 

He's lost most of his baby yellow and is starting to get the first real feathers on his wings.  They sort of look like angel wings against his downy body.

 

Having been raised in the house, Goose has no idea that he's a duck.  He sleeps at our feet, begs for attention when we walk by, and yes, sits on our shoulders when we're on the couch.  Why would he think he's a duck?

We've been putting him outside with the other ducks during the day lately, but so far he's not interested in hanging out with them.  Our large female is very interested in him however and follows him around, trying to eat by him and be his friend.  The other ducks dutifully follow her around while she follows Goose around.

 

 I was concerned that the male ducks would be aggressive towards him, but that hasn't been the case at all.  I do find it interesting that even the females had no interest whatsoever in him when he was small, but now... now is a different matter. 

 

(sometimes they're interested in wool soaking too) 

I'm taking it a little personally, thinking sure, now that all the raising and diaper-changing (I kid, he didn't really wear diapers.  Tho I wish he would have at times) is done, now they want him.

 

Goose will eventually be part of the flock, I know he will.  They're a happy group of ducks and he'll fit right in.  The transition will be slow, and maybe a little sad for both of us, but it's for the best.  We all must leave the nest at some point.