One Little Duck

 

The other two eggs did not hatch which is a real shame because I really hate to have a lone duck. They are quite social and I think they do better when there are at least two of them. This one had a hard time hatching as I could not seem to get the humidity up enough in the incubator. Apparently the spare room is quite dry. I'll have to look for a humidifier at the thrift store. Considering the rather large bump on the back of his head I would say this one will be crested. Several of my ducks are crested so that is not surprising. I am thinking about picking him up a couple friends at Tractor Supply. 

So I will answer the question now because I know it will come up. Will we be eating this duck? This duckling got stuck in his shell. He (or she) was stuck in it for two days before I helped him out (if you help too quickly you risk killing the chick). He then was so weak that I had to dip his beak in water and then lift his head myself, because he was even to weak for that, so that he could swallow. I kept going back and rubbing him to stimulate him and giving him little sips of water. I then had to go to work but called my daughter and reminded her to give him drinks of water. He could hold his head up by the time I got home and is now in his little brooder and actually can walk around in short, stumbling spurts. He peeps and gets all excited when I come in and speak to him in the brooder. So for those of you who think we who are trying to be self sufficient should be able to harden our hearts and eat any of our meat animals well I'm hear to tell you that it just doesn't happen that way. Unless this turns out to be the meanest, biting-est duck that ever lived. He is pretty well safe.