Easter Ducks...

[mandelyn]

So it begins! Today is the day after Easter, right? Well this woman just dropped off 5 ducklings for me. Poor things were thirsty as could be! 3 are 3 weeks old, 2 are 1 week old.

I think 3 are Pekin, I know they'll be white because they're yellow. But I'll need help on the other two, and will post pics tomorrow of them. One might be a chocolate Runner, and the other is blue with a white chest. Maybe it's black. Not sure since it got dark just as she arrived.

Got to love free ducks with delivery though! They're cute as always! I put the 3 week olds in the brooder box in the chicken house and gave them a light for a bit to get adjusted and get a drink. The 5 month old pullets were sure upset about seeing them! They stood by the wire cackling their heads off! The older birds didn't come off the roost, so they'll have a morning surprise when they notice them.

And that puts a start AND finish to "Operation Rescue Easter Ducks". I have more eggs in the incubator, no more for me! Though I'm sure more people will call and say "So I got these ducklings..."... and I will answer... "And that is what craigslist is for".

But she for real had them in the house in a dog crate, slinging duck stuff everywhere.

I couldn't get over how thirsty they were. But they're bedded down for the night and comfortable.

 

[desertdarlene]

Today, I noticed a new duck at the lake, but this was a fully grown one. She looked like a buff, but had a body that looked like she could fly, so she might not have been dropped off. However, one of my favorite dumped ducks at that lake is missing!

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I know I need pictures, but the Southern States about 45 minutes from my home had baby ducks for easter and my roommate went in there and they said they wanted to get rid of them because they were jumping out of the for sale box and ppl. kept putting them back in. They didn't have time for it so they gave them away. He called me to see if I wanted them. I immediately said yes. So now I have 6 baby mallards and 4 pekins..looks to be about 2-3 weeks old....no pin feathers yet? so that would be about how old?

 

[Quacking]

It never ceases to amaze me the way people buy animals without a thought to how they will care for them when grown. Tougher penalties are needed for those that are actually caught dumping animals. So glad these ones were actually dropped off to you mandelyn, and not at a local pond. At least the previous owner in this case cared enough in the end to ensure the ducks went to a good safe place.

 

[peepsandquacks]

My ducks are easter ducks, but I plan on keeping them foreve and ever. I actually look forward to when they are big and pretty!

There is an ad in the local paper that says they will accept easter chickens and ducks. So hopefully no dumping here. I dont think anyone sold them in town (we live 2.5hrs from any other town)

 

[mandelyn]

Well I have a home lined up for the Pekins, they'll be spoiled farm birds with someone that does Easter rabbit rescue. They'll go there was soon as the little two are off the heat.

The 3 week olds have the start of feathering, little sprouts. I can't believe how much bigger they are than the little two! I forgot how fast they grow!

So I guess I'm the proud new owner of a chocolate runner and something blue, and pekins crashing here temporarily.