Wow! What a wonderful story! And yes, our stories are similar. Mine are still with me and doing well. They love their routine and especially love their kiddie swimming pool filled with fresh water every day. I like hearing that your ducks force you to be calm. Mine are like that too. Most times...
Recently installed our 70% shade cloth for this summer's heat, and it makes a big difference in this outside run. My girls also have a choice of spending time in runs with roofs and under the coops.
They have free choice of a lot of different foods, but I am glad that they also nibble on that too. In any event, they are well fed and seem to be pretty happy with everything. Thanks again for the help.
Breaks my heart.
I think you told me about the wild fowl feed that floats. I bought some and give a small handful to the darlings every morning. I guess they like it. It disappears or just dissolves in the water. <smile>
I hope they hatch too. That's so scary. A couple of mine lay eggs, but I don't let them hatch. One went broody, and the chickens didn't like her occupying the nesting box all that time. She ended up with some sores on her back from chicken attacks. I isolated her for a week in a small dog crate...
Afternoon chilling. Three of my four Woodies. The other one is in the outside run chilling by the pool or chasing flies. Dynamics have changed this year, and she is still part of the group but also the odd-girl out. I added more swimming places so she can have a good splash and floating time.
I make silly yard *art.* Put this turtle piece out by the road yesterday.
Through the winter, I spent a lot of time painting silly fish.
I made a whole slew of December/holiday yard pieces, and right now, I'm finishing up a purple baby hippo yard piece. Not sure what I'll do with her yet...
I hung the old nesting bucket on a whim a month or so ago. I'm happy to see that a couple of the girls like it. Both of them were in the bucket before I had a chance to grab my cell phone and take these pictures. I have a 2nd nesting bucket, and I'm tempted to hang it higher.
I also noticed...
Yes. A couple showed up within hours. The last one showed up a day or two after release.
I had them out again a couple of times. The last time they were out, one of my hens spooked and flew away. Within seconds, she came back into the yard like a jet, flying for her life. A huge, hungry red...
We built this upper, corner box for the ducks before the beginning of the 2019 winter. They freaked. Thought it was a huge duck-eating monster, and stayed off this perch (their favorite) for months. Slowly, they acclimated, and this winter, the box has given them a warm and comfortable space on...
Since my intention was to release my ducks, I made it a point to not handle them when they were young. Oh well, who knew how it would all turn out. They flew away, and then came back. The world was way to scary for them. :)
That's wonderful! How is Violet a special needs duck?
Mine are not friendly. They keep their distance, but I know that they recognize me. They are familiar with me and are more comfortable with me than other people. I am the bringer of food, good stuff, and water. And I'm in the coop a couple...