Re: Ducklings I think Harri looks the smallest...? Very worried about her ability to snatch the peas...some of the others look much better at jostling for peas...worry, worry...
Re: Ducklings Don't fret. I made sure that Harri got extra lettuce this morning and when they get peas later I'll do the same. She probably is now the smallest (but not by any worry-worthy margin) but she is the most vocal. Gonna be a big quacker like her Mummy, Duyfken, who, for her 2 kilos, can achieve a surprisingly high number on the decibel scale.
Re: Ducklings Spotlight on Meriwether Meriwether did not really want to participate in this photoshoot. She was a bit hard to catch because she is a very fast runner, very clever at using evasive moves and very good at avoiding spots where she might be confined and picked up. But I got her in the end. Looking at Meri's chest you can see that her adult feathers are coming through in a patchwork of black and white. The white feathers look a bit yellowish, but they will lose that and become completely white. Meri also still has a lot of fuzz in the form of greyish baby down, especially on her head and back. She has a lovely black bill, with no pink spots. It is a very fine bill. Nice and straight along the topline and not too long. Underneath it's mostly all proper feathers, all the better for slipping through the water (those big feet help too). You might remember that I mentioned at one point that black ducks tend to get a lot of white feathering as they get older, same as us going grey, but faster. Well, that tends to happen only in a subset of black ducks - those with a strong green sheen to their feathers. The shinier green they are, the faster they develop white feathers. Birds that have less green and are more matte do not seem to develop much white at all. It is too early to say which Meri will be. Her Grandmother on one side, Trim, is a shiny black and is going white. Her Grandmother on the other side, Tasman, is matte black and has developed no extra white. Meri could be like either. Here's a reminder of how small she was only four and a half weeks ago.... As you might remember, Meri was the first of the indoor ducklings to hatch. This is her with Christopher and Harrison. Woodget had not hatched yet. So that is Meri - first to hatch and still the first to try just about everything else
Re: Ducklings p.s. Obi says to tell you that he can't wait till these stupid ducklings grow up and stop getting all the stupid attention from the stupid humans. At least the Lambies still care.
Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg51672#msg51672 date=1391307151] Don't fret. I made sure that Harri got extra lettuce this morning and when they get peas later I'll do the same. [/quote]
Re: Ducklings Obi, Milly said she still loves you better than the ducks and she is loving her Lambie too. She did mention that ducks would make great movie Lambies also she is looking forward to our next get together Extra hugs to you Obi!
Re: Ducklings Ah Obi we all love to see you,I'm missing Dexter today so it's lovely to see your handsome face x
Re: Ducklings Obi, you look so forlorn... You're still top dog. Honest. Love the pics of Meri. She does indeed have a very fine bill! And undercarriage. And feet. And such a sweet face. Thanks for the spotlight! Clare
Re: Ducklings Wow Meri is one nice looking duck!! Almost as nice as Temeraire!! Don't worry, Obi, we do love the duckies but doggies are still no. 1!!
Re: Ducklings So, um, unfortunately there has been a bit of duckling gender misclassification. While I am 100% sure, beyond doubt, that Temeraire, Harrison and Woodget are girls (as they all have developed loud quacks), it transpires that Meriwether and Christopher are both boys. They both started out with husky voices, but they just haven't developed the vocal range and volume characteristic of a girl duck. So today I had a close look for boy parts (vent sexing) and this confirmed that they're baby drakes. A similar exam of Ariel (actually the third one I've done on him) was inconclusive but I really think he's a he and is just good at holding it in. So, sorry about the unexpected news flash. It's the first time I've not vent sexed at day old and have relied on voices and I called it too early on those two. Other than Temeraire (who I'm definitely keeping, as my no. 1 goal was to get a daughter from her parents) I'm not sure yet who else I'll keep. I still have the agistment option to consider. Christopher is extremely well marked and I would kinda hate to see him go. This is the hard part of breeding animals. Still haven't forgotten Woodget's profile Just been busy.
Re: Ducklings Oh the challenge of finding the right homes. I don't envy you!! Riley's breeder was on their first litter as they wanted a dog from their girl and although the pups had become a lot of work(especially after weaning) they had a little tear in their eye as we took our little bundle home. Luckily most of the pups went to family and friends so they still see them every now and again.
Re: Ducklings It's hard enough with ducklings. Would be terrible with puppies! I got my first dog as a puppy and all members of the breeder's family, young and old, were crying when we left with him.... I do shed a tear for all my little duckies... Still got 'em all for a few weeks though
Re: Ducklings Christopher and Meriweather are gonna need counseling Rachael...hope it's in your breeding budget ??? Poor Christopher...first he was Christopher,then he was Christophina now he's Christopher again!it could be too much for a duckling to bear! ;D thankfully he seems a robust kind of duckling who can take these things in his waddle.......I'm getting the raised heart rate already thinking about them leaving you :'( x
Re: Ducklings Don't worry, they'll get professional attention ASAP! Although I think they knew all along who was what Think I need that farm now!
Re: Ducklings I don't want to know which ones Rachael is going to keep - I KNOW Harri will have a good home, and that's all that matters, but everytime we mention the ducklings leaving, my tummy feels funny. Anyway, it's ages away...no need to think about it yet... I'm sure Christophina is happy as a boy!
Re: Ducklings Aww it's hard to see our babies go, no matter the species :'( Small little glow that Temeraire is a keeper though
