ducklings
ducklings, originally uploaded by pureportugal.
our ducklings hatched today! 9 brought down to the pond this morning by mum, who came the steep way and the ducklings scrabbled/tumbled down the terrace bank into the water and started swimming madly! unfortunately dad started chasing them and grabbed hold of one by its neck, which it couldn’t then hold out of the water and drowned, which i witnessed helplessly - very upsetting. then we had to go out and when we got back i went down to make sure the remaining 8 were still ok - and counted 9! one more had hatched while we’d been gone (there were 16 eggs but the others haven’t hatched and the dog has now eaten them - eurgh).
bit worried now about them as the weather has gone a bit cold again, but mum seems to be looking after them well, keeping them out of the water and snuggled up quite a lot. but the cats are looking VERY interested in them. also, can’t seem to find much info on whether we need to feed them or not. most of what i can find is aimed at looking after hand reared ducklings (feed them chick crumbs) and one source says ducklings in water can feed themselves. so … anyone with any advice … it is most welcome!
goose is also sitting on eggs so hopefully we’ll have even more new cute little fluffy things soon.
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