Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg48745#msg48745 date=1390251043] My boss said that I can't quit my job to be a full-time duckling carer and photographer Will take some more pics at the end of the day today, I promise ;D [/quote] Your boss is unreasonable and I think that's tantamount to constructive dismissal (I'm sure your boss is very nice really)
Re: Ducklings Didn't you explain you're not quitting? You'd still like him to pay you for it... Clare
Re: Ducklings She is a she. But I'd didn't think of asking to stay on the payroll while having indefinite duckling leave - I'm sure that'll convince her!! Good thinking!
Re: Ducklings Here are the indoor ducklings' parents, which are the two blue birds in this pic. Solander, on the right, is Dad and Duyfken in the middle is Mum. The black one, Trim, is Grandma (only 2 years of age and already a Grandma, the shame). Black ducks start to go white after they turn 1, starting with the neck and head. Here's the parents of the outdoor ducklings - Magellan (Jelly), the pale blue one, and Tasman, the weedy looking black one. The blue duck, Shackleton, is no relation. Jelly is Silver, and is the colour that Harry will turn out. And the ducklings, doing what they like best Julie, Harry is showing no signs of improving in the grace department. When they came out of their house today everyone else walked down the ramp nicely except Harry, who fell off the side and landed on his back. He says to tell you that he's fine though.
Re: Ducklings Yes, to think that three weeks ago they fit inside an egg This is Christopher, having some pats. You can see his grown-up feathers starting to come through on his shoulders. They will be blue with a dark blue edge. The little tufts behind his eyes (a couple of centimetres back) are where his ears are. The phone camera distorts things a bit, but you can get an idea of how big he is. Or she, not sure yet They've still got tiny little wings. In a couple of weeks their wings will start growing faster though, as they get more and more adult feathers. They mainly grow feathers on their tummies first, where they make contact with the water. The darker spots you can see on his back will turn into pure black feathers (blue birds always have some black feathers here and there).
Re: Ducklings Ah, my duckling fix. Sigh....lovely. They look so happy and well cared for and comfy. You are a very good duckling humum. [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg48780#msg48780 date=1390289638] Julie, Harry is showing no signs of improving in the grace department. When they came out of their house today everyone else walked down the ramp nicely except Harry, who fell off the side and landed on his back. He says to tell you that he's fine though. [/quote] Story of my life! Sorry Harry, I've done this to you. Nevermind. Hold your head up, being graceful 'aint everything. That's what I tell myself anyway. Glad you are ok though. I find looking at my feet helps - bumping into things is less of a risk than falling over when you have poor feet/floor co-ordination.
Re: Ducklings I will pass on that tip. Thank you. On the plus side, his feet are huge so he will have no problem keeping an eye on them. On the down side, his feet are huge so it is really hard to walk normally in them. On the weekend I'll get some more individual pics
Re: Ducklings Thank you Rachael for the 'Spotlight on Christopher' news and accompanying photo...it also answers my question of when will they get their real feathers.i find it amazing that ducks go through so many colour changes...would Christopher be attempting a quack by now if he was a she? X
Re: Ducklings Glad you liked the Christopher focus! A quack is most likely to make itself known between 4 and 8 weeks, and he's not yet 4 weeks. So, early days yet Some start unusually early, like Temeraire, but it's more often after 4 weeks. I really hope he's a girl, because he's very well marked and will probably turn out to be show quality (i.e. worthy of putting in a show). Fingers crossed here
Re: Ducklings *sigh* I've been saying I want ducks for years. Now I really, really want ducks. And you mean Meri will eventually turn white? I've always wanted white ducks... Clare
Re: Ducklings If Meri is a she she will eventually become kind of black and white chequered. Sort of. Not fully white. The boys don't tend to develop much white though. So, all depends on the she versus he thing
Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg48816#msg48816 date=1390300986] They've still got tiny little wings. In a couple of weeks their wings will start growing faster though, as they get more and more adult feathers. [/quote] Wings. They fly, right? Or perhaps tame ones don't?
