????Cayuga or Black Runner????

[QueenQuack]

....or possibly a mix?

Is there a sure fire way of telling what our ducklings are? They are about 7 weeks old, black feathers are really coming in nicely (their chest feathers are softer than I couldve ever imagined), they seem very healthy, love the new pen and pool. They both seem to have one tiny white spot on their neck, and seem to have two distinct vocalizations so far, and one is certainly bigger than the other.

But.....I have noticed they seem to stand very upright....

Is this just a function of their age and alertness, and as they get older will level out or did we end up with black runners???

The day we got them from TSC 5 weeks ago...(we were told they were 2 weeks old at that time)


"Leaning into the turn" as I have titled this picture at 3 1/2 weeks old....


Enjoying the new pen.....


And today at 7 weeks old....(ps, the one that I believe to be female {the smaller and more vocal of the two} is getting wing feathers before the other)




Great site folks, theyve been more work in a sense than i originally imagined, but worth every bit of it. Off to finish rinsing out their pool. Thanks for any input. PSS, starting today they are going on a mix of the last of my MannaPro Gamebird Starter and DuMor Poultry Grower/Finisher. So far so good...

Thanks again.....

 

[Finny]

Those look like runners! What cuties

 

[TLWR]

They appear to be runners.

 

[QueenQuack]

Those look like runners! What cuties

Thank you, we think so too...

They appear to be runners.

Well if they do end up runners that would be GREAT, as, since being on this site and doing research for the ducklings, we were contemplating getting a couple of runners....along with the required extra holes in our heads...

Thanks for the input, hope to hear more opinions.

 

[QueenQuack]

Hello all. Very long time no post. We've had our ducks 6 years this past Easter. They have been extremely healthy and have been a pleasure to have. The female's colors have changed and during nice weather she gives us an egg a day. They have enjoyed their duck pen.

 

[QueenQuack]

So...our saga continues. Recently I noticed that Tina (the female) had decided to sit on 5 eggs. So after a few days (May 14 to be exact) I candled them and they appeared to be fertilized. So I let her sit. We never had intended on having ducklings. All the eggs progressed through the month and yesterday peeking began. I kept an eye on her as we had nowhere to put Ike (the drake) and he stayed in the pen with her. Last night and this morning I could hear peeping coming from under her. Well this afternoon I thought I would check on her but heard no more peeping like before. So I had her stand up and the eggs didn't look right. Seems she maybe sat too long or too much on them. 4 were pipped all the way around with 2 partially hatched but very crushed and dried up looking. Another 2 were pipped to a hole but again very dry looking and no movement or sound. The last was just pipped and looked just as it had yesterday. I made the assumption they had all perished. So I collected them and set them aside. About 20 minutes later curiosity got the best of me and I decided to open the eggs. The 4 were completely developed and ready to hatch but obviously dried out. The 5th, the only slightly pipped one, I figured I would open too. Much to my utter amazement it peeped as I opened the egg. We are 3 hours in and it's out of its egg. Occasionally trying to stand. His I guess umbilical cord is still attached and hes in a box I'm trying my best to keep at 92*. I'm doing what I can. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DuckyDonna]

If you think the umbilical cord is still attached put the little one, with the shell, in a small Tupperware type bowl on a DRY paper towel and under a heat lamp. Leave it be and let it finish absorbing the yolk

Oh, I'm sorry, I see this was posted yesterday. What ever happened to the little one?

 

[QueenQuack]

Update: Our little one seems to be doing great. Noisy, eating, drinking and trying to walk. The umbilical cord disconnected overnight and thankfully I work for an amazing company who allowed me to bring him to work today so I could keep a close eye on him. First picture is moments after opening its egg and second is this afternoon.

 

[ibarbidahl]

That egg looks really, really soft. Were all the eggs that way? This may have been the main problem. a thin or rubbery egg would not have been able to maintain the correct amount of moisture. If he's standing and doing fine I'd see if the hen wants anything to do with him. If not you'll want to look for another day old in your area that this little one can grow up with. Make sure you give this little one niacin supplements and don't use medicated chick feed - use all flock or un-medicated chick crumbs. (niacin will get into the duckling best if mixed with wet food anyway.) Best of luck! THe baby is adorable!

 

[QueenQuack]

Just when I thought I was handling this with some confidence. There are no local ducklings available to get it a companion. I am going to try to introduce it to the mother this evening and see how that goes. The little one seems to be doing very well eating, drinking, sleeping, and now jumping...(oh and making their normal duckling big mess) Depending upon the results with the mother this evening I will be setting it up with a much roomier pen, mirror and stuffed animal if needed.