Ducklings everywhere!

Alison · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:10 pm

Having been caught out last year by crows and kookaburras eating eggs and killing off ducklings and goslings I was better prepared this year. I gathered up six eggs that no-one was sitting on and popped them in the incubator. I thought it was only the muscovies that were laying there, but four of the five that hatched look a lot like runner ducks. They may be a cross, as well.

Took another half dozen eggs from a muscovy; 4 have hatched so far. In addition to these I collected 9 other muscovy ducklings before the kookaburras got to them. So, 5 older ducklings outside in one of the chook pens, 12 ducklings in the brooder, one in the incubator still drying off, and a couple of eggs which I don't think are going to hatch.

Whew!

Now to keep an eye on the Geese. Stinkin' crows and kooaburras are spending their days perched on the fence waiting for their chance... grrrrr...

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Wow thats great success so far for you! I've got one duck on umpteen eggs in my pen and two I discovered yesterday sitting on eggs also. I had a chook hatch out one duckling day before yesterday, he's gonna be one confused little dude! I have geese hatching in about a week also. Crows are a problem here too but I've never had a kookaburra problem, will have to watch them.

Alison · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:35 am

I hope you never have a problem with the kookaburras! Crows are evil and nasty sneaking egg thieves, but the kookaburras are even worse I think. They actually sit on the fence around their enclosure waiting... Of the countless goslings that hatched last year (7 of the girls had a brood each) only 3 made it though

And only 4 ducks (from eggs I retrieved and put in the incubator).

I am wondering how your chook will look when her little one takes to the nearest puddle for the first time!!

Best of luck with the rest of your hatchings!

Kayan · **Joined:** Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:43 pm **Posts:** 5

Lucky you I want heaps of ducklings too

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:08 pm

Hows the goose eggs coming along?

When ours hatched, we didn't have a hope of getting near them, the parents were so protective!

I guess you could try putting some water and food near her nest so she doesn't have to move too far from her nest. The father tends to keep any unwanted visitors away! We have our geese in with a pile of male drakes (I know, it's an unwanted scenario, but we have no choice at the moment), and they run when the geese walk! [smilie=cactus_man.gif]

Good luck!

Alison · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:32 am

Unfortunately this year none of the geese nested on the 'mainland' but rather their island in the middle of the dam. Any other year it would have just been a bit of a wade out there, but after all the rain we would need to row!

I'll wait 'til they bring the babies ashore for breakfast; they're pretty well covered on the island with trees. Last year I was able to catch a bunch of them, but not realising the danger (and not having a big enough brooder ready) just had a cuddle and gave them back :-?

I have a net ready there now...

They have a Maremma pup in with them as well most of the time (10 months old), but I'm not sure how he will go. He's good at barking at hawks to keep them away from the chooks, so maybe he will understand?

blueducks · **Joined:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:54 am **Posts:** 1

I have my first ever muscovy ducklings hatched on saturday and boy did the whole area hear the kids yelling it out but it was good to see them so excited

malspals · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:50 am **Posts:** 3

We have 5 ducklings at the mo but they are muscovy bred to a mixed mallard so not sure what they will look like in the end

Alison · **Posted:** Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:53 am

Oh ducklings are all so cute! Had to smile when I read of the youngsters being so excited. It is hard not to just grin inanely when watching their antics [smilie=a_rolling.gif]

So far eight goslings are out and about. The geese have decided to stay close to the Maremma, and so far he has done a terrific job. They are now 5 days old, and no losses! So different to last year where seemingly every time I looked there were less and less little ones left alive. Still at least two broods to hatch...

I still have the ducklings in a separate enclosure - will keep them there for another week or so until I'm sure they can hold their own with the older birds. Can't wait to see them on the dam though! They'll love it

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:56 am

Alison...

It's good to hear that they are keeping close to your Marema. I don't have one, but am interested to hear how it goes. I think it is very interesting that they know to keep close to it!

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