[sandy]

Lilly and Charlie have been sitting in the run most of today with the odd trip out for water and food, I only put them in on the first 3 nights to make sure they knew where they could go for peace and safety, now they defiantly have taken it on as theirs, my Black Rocks used to go in there to lay eggs!!!!! I am looking forward to getting them a bit tamer, they do come near to me but the chickens shove them away, however, the Black Rocks seem to have bonded with them, I find this fascinating. Clever little Duckies

[northfifeduckling]

yes, Sandy, they are all very clever! must be the good early education, lol. Obviously yours are as bossy as ours - they had to stand up to geese in their youth after all!

[jameslindsay]

I think I raised monsters from the stories I have heard and from the 3 I still have...

[sandy]

I saw little (not so little nw) lilly putting her beak next to one of my Black Rocks as if it were her mummy!!!! THe Hen did nothing, Black ROcks are great natured birds.....I sall take some photos again!!!

[northfifeduckling]

yes, so you have, James, lol! They are just very strong characters, maybe it is always like that, bringing 2 groups of different generations together! Sure it's not your fault. Still hoping they will get used to each other!

[jameslindsay]

They will learn to live harmoniously I am sure. My Millie settled in beautifully with the Buff Orpingtons and even when I added to them they all became a group. The 3 Aylesbury's from the last incubation get on very well with all the others now too and even the geese seem to be a bot friendlier towards them. Mind you the geese are moulting just now and a bit quiet and in the huff with life!

[sandy]

The 2 Ducks that James hatched for me are doing really well and boy are they growing fast, the adopted a home in a sheltered run where my Black Rocks used to lay but now they lay in a covered cage, full of straw under a brick Barbi, I am not sure when Lilly will start laying so whoever has her sisters let me know one one pops out and two, I really hope she finds it too small to get into the cage as she WILL squash all the hens eggs unless I collect them before she lays!!!!!!! They are so cute and just beginning to fend off the hens for the best treats!!!! I often throw stuff around the pond and yesterday 1 of the small hens slipped in trying to get some treats...snails, slugs, lettuce, bread etc . Also not been quick enough to pick them up yet but they stand around my feet when I'm out!!!! so can you let me know when I can expect my first Duck egg!!!

[jameslindsay]

Normally round 20/24 weeks old they start to lay.

[jameslindsay]

So Sandy have you had any duck eggs yet?

[sandy]

Hi, James, just been out giving them all some treats, the Ducks have been nudging me but I still have not picked them up, they are funny they keep putting thier beaks down the chickens backs and shoving them away! THey also keep doing thier mateing dance,  you've probably done it seen it many times, they bob thier heads up and down then swin around and around then the male flaps his wings, very cute, sometimes the male runs flapping his wings then jumping into the pond, the pond it just big enough and it has a deep bit where they can dive.....I am woundering where they will lay as there are two places where the chickens lay, fingers crossed they don't sit on them and crack them.

[jameslindsay]

Sandy sometimes the wee buggers will lay in the pond so keep an eye on that!

[sandy]

The will sink won't they? I cleaned out the pond last week so it's ue for another clean. I have a pump and pump the water into bucksts and water the garden with the stuff, brings on the plants a treat...I love the Ducks, very very cute, not seen Charlie doing his mating  yet, but there againn I don't watch them all the time..

[jameslindsay]

Yes they will sink. My boys born with the same hatch as your 2 now have the curl on their tail feathers, what about Charlie?

[northfifeduckling]

My boys have had the curly feathers for a couple of weeks now, with matching behaviour! But no eggs from the wee girls so far, not even a tiny one or a soft one! They are kept with the big girls now, maybe it will inspire them, lol. 

[sandy]

Yes, Charlie has a bit of a curl and is now bigger than Lilly, I shall keep looking, just been out again before it gets dark, no eggs...I shall clear the pond next week.....and keep you posted.