The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: sabrina on July 12, 2010, 03:50:36 pm

Title: ducklings hatch
Post by: sabrina on July 12, 2010, 03:50:36 pm

Well after losing the broody hen due to a fox attack I did not get my hopes up that we would be able to hatch the remaining 5 eggs in the incubator. Yesterday 4 eggs hatched and so far our new babies are doing well. The 5th egg had never moved and there was no sign of any life so this morning we discarded it when I moved the ducklings from the incubator into a larger box. they are eating chick crumbs and drinking well but I was wondering at what age can they get some chickweed. Having plenty growing among my veg I would rather put some to good use. How soon can they have a little swim. We plan to keep them in the house this week and maybe by Sunday move them to the large run that we have set up in one of the stables with a heat lamp. Any advice on how best to care for them would be great, waited over a year to get them so would hate to lose them now.  :&> :&> :&> :&> ;D

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: jameslindsay on July 12, 2010, 03:58:34 pm

Well done, that is good news after what happened. I let mine swim the day after they hatch but it is always supervised. I give them lettuce after a day or so too, if they want it they eat it and if they don't they leave it. Enjoy the new experience and give us a picture or two...please!

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: sabrina on July 12, 2010, 06:19:02 pm

Will post pictures once the OH gets home from work  ;D

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: sabrina on July 12, 2010, 08:12:28 pm

(http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r361/westercushnie/IMG_0269.jpg)
Meet Dozy, Beaky, Mick &Tich  :&> ;D

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: CameronS on July 12, 2010, 08:59:17 pm

may i ask what breed the brown ones are, i have one identical to them but i have no idea what breed,

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: jameslindsay on July 12, 2010, 09:26:10 pm

Thanks for the picture Sabrina, this is the perfect ending to a horrible story.

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: doganjo on July 12, 2010, 11:24:30 pm

Where are Dave and Dee? ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: sabrina on July 13, 2010, 10:06:07 am

The dark ones are Indian Runners, the other two I will have to check with Mick who gave me the eggs. He breeds quite a lot of chickens and ducks for the rare breed sale in Aberdeen. As for Dave Dee the other two eggs did not hatch, one was damaged when the fox got the hen and the other I can only suppose died in the shell. :)

Title: Re: ducklings hatch
Post by: doganjo on July 13, 2010, 12:09:29 pm

You'll have to do some more then - the group doesn't work without Dave and Dee  ;D ;D ;D  I'm a believer ;) ;D ;D ;D