Tuesday, April 10, 2012

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.

12 comments:

  1. I don't blame you; some animals just turn into friends.

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  2. And so cute too. I agree he needs some friends.

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    1. I tried putting him in with the two quail. I was afraid they would peck him, they didn't. They acted like he was a big bad monster come to eat them. I had to take him back out, lol.

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  3. He's certainly not an ugly duckling :) I also think he'd appreciate some friends, but he knows who Mum is ;)

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  4. I enjoyed that story. He's lovely and I don't blame you for giving him a reprieve but then I wouldn't blame you if you ate him either. I think its always about doing whatever you are most comfortable with - there's really no need to prove a point either way.

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    1. I guess I wanted people to understand how some animals get to live and be "pets" (though I don't really look at any of my animals as pets since the ducks even those not eaten still serve a purpose)and some have to become meat. Ducklings are hard for me to distance myself from anyway, even when they hatch perfectly. All that cuteness and water splashing. I do plan on hatching some more to eat though...just not this one :)

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  5. He really is a darling. I'd keep him, too. Especially if he thought I was his mama!

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    1. He will grow out of that phase. Ducklings always do but the damage is already done by then, lol.

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  6. He is so cute.
    I hear you on your reluctance to want to eat him, esp. when you go through so much with him.
    Last year we had a horrible hatch from shipped eggs and there was only one little chick that needed so much help it was a miracle he survived. But of course the chick is now a rooster, a mottled houdan, and when I mention "processing" him daughter keeps pleading for his life and I understand. I call it "Wilbur Syndrome" ;)
    Carolyn

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    1. I used to love my Mottled Houdan flock! By the way the little duck is no longer alone. When I went to check on the bantam mama and her chicks I found she had managed to kill yet another one. I put the last three in with the duckling.

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  7. Maybe his traumatic start to life will make him "hard" and resilient. A true survivor (which some help of course...)

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