Re: Ducklings No, I didn't mention their names or the back story I did think about sending her the link to this thread... Will see. Don't want to put any pressure on her She texted me today to say that they're settling in well, which was great to hear.
Re: Ducklings Ah, that's good. I think perhaps the new owner is, overall, probably best off not knowing how many countries are interested in how she brings up a few ducks... They need to be hers now, not ours (well, Rachael's - officially ). I loved the journey though and look forward to the next one. I'm setting the baby ping up tonight. I'll let you know how it works as a webcam. ;D ;D ;D
Re: Ducklings [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3806.msg82733#msg82733 date=1401263910] I think perhaps the new owner is, overall, probably best off not knowing how many countries are interested in how she brings up a few ducks... They need to be hers now, not ours (well, Rachael's - officially ). [/quote] Yes, I think that is the best course of action
Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg79576#msg79576 date=1400554461] Definitely very relaxing watching the ducks Now, I have some news that might cause a bit of sadness..... Before the show I noticed that Christopher had developed a bit of brown in his feathers on the shoulders, which was a real bummer as it's a fault that I don't want to perpetuate (and it will affect my breeding plans for next Spring). He is a lovely boy and will grow up to be a great example type-wise but the brown is a bit of a no-go for me (even though the judge totally missed seeing it at the recent show). So, I have sadly decided to find a new home for Christopher As I don't sell drakes on their own I will also be selling Woodget along with him. So, Meri, Harri, Christopher and Woodget will all be sold either as a group of four or as two male/female pairs. I'm very sorry about that (especially to Angela ). I will still be keeping Temeraire who is not related to the line of birds that I think is contributing the brown colouring (and who I am going to avoid breeding from unless my theory is proven wrong). Ariel, Temeraire's brother, may make a reappearance in the future too. [/quote] Ok.......I've missed this,I am now gutted as I turn my light out...but I have not continued to read down the thread which I will do now....and which I know will make it ok because you will never send Christopher to a place that wouldn't be right for him ( hyperventilate,hyperventilate,hyperventilate ) xxxxxxx
Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg82647#msg82647 date=1401225838] Just glad I didn't flatten poor Christopher!!! [/quote] I'm still chipping in before I've got to the end of the news Glad you were ok too though Rachael
Re: Ducklings Got to the end,I feel a bit :'( but in a way......everyone is in a good place and safe . I'm sorry Christopher turned brown :-[i was so invested in his development I irrationally feel a bit responsible! Thankyou Rachael for taking us through their whole journey ,I know I can say we've all loved it and can't wait for next September....'The Naming of The Ducklings' a true Forum tradition now ;D ;D ;D ;D x
Re: Ducklings I'm really sorry, Angela, I really am I thought you must've seen this much earlier but were just bravely coping. I was really very very bummed to see the brown in his feathers. I had really wanted to keep him. I would've kept Woodget with him so it meant losing her as well. It's also ruled out Christopher's mother and grandmother from further breeding*. So, it's a setback. I said nothing for a few weeks because I knew you'd be very sad about it too But the place where they're living now has a lot more space than I can offer them. They'll enjoy life there. I miss them though! *The new owner is not bothered by brown but she's not aiming to show her birds.
Re: Ducklings [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3806.msg82915#msg82915 date=1401308598] *The new owner is not bothered by brown but she's not aiming to show her birds. [/quote] Quite right too. It's just like a labrador having a feathery instead of an otter tail, or long back, or pointy face (all faults Charlie has ). Christopher doesn't care (neither does Charlie) and he'll have a happy life. It matters in one way, and not at all in another.
Re: Ducklings Yes, absolutely. She couldn't have cared less. She thought they were all beautiful, and they are.
Re: Ducklings It has been so fun to go on this journey, Rachel, thanks so much for sharing it with us. I'm glad that Temeraire is still sticking around, it will be fun to see if her offspring can get the coveted trophy!! Glad you didn't hurt yourself...those kinds of falls can be very bad!
Re: Ducklings Thanks, all, it's been fun to share it I put some grippy treads on the ramp yesterday, so hopefully there'll be no no repeat inter-species gymnastic performances!!
Re: Ducklings Good idea Rachael. I could imagine that it will get worse as it gets colder and at times a little icy.
Re: Ducklings Yes, indeed. I have slipped on frozen duck poo before and that is neither fun nor dignified.
Re: Ducklings Great to hear In some (possibly) exciting news we got an egg today in the pen that Temeraire shares with her parents Jelly and Tassie and her Aunty Shackleton. Is it Temeraire's first egg? The egg is exactly the colour and shape that Tassie lays, but it is small, like the first few eggs that a young duck would lay. It's 52grams, whereas a full sized duck egg would be more like 75-80grams. I can find out who is laying it by colour coding, with a food dye spray, the bottom of one of the two candidates. Any eggs laid by that duck will be tinted with the food dye. I might do that to Tassie tomorrow night, so we can find out if this is indeed Temeraire's first egg! She is 23 weeks old, which is about the right age.
