[tosca100]

Cagney started with seven duck eggs but for one reason and another only one hatched, And here it is. A nightmare trying to provide water for him at all times, but at least I am home all day.





A dip in the water dish. Cagney is remarkably accepting of him swimming

[barley]

I really think we need ducks too 

[Sparkyrog]

They look lovely but OMG the mess !!

[tosca100]

I can't get used to the ducks (we have 7!) tthey seem much dirtier and noisier than chickens, But OH likes them. But there's no denying the little one is maga cute.

No idea why the pics don't show

[Springlands]

He is so cute - but as Sparkyrog said they do make such a mess.     And wake up much earlier in the morning than the hens. 

[tosca100]

Rowdy, stinking rabble and yes, they are noisy before the hens, but not before our cockerel who starts up around 3am....but they lay good eggs which we sell for a great price. They will cover their costs by the end of their laying season.

And Dave liks them.

[Springlands]

Rowdy, stinking rabble and yes, they are noisy before the hens, but not before our cockerel who starts up around 3am....but they lay good eggs which we sell for a great price. They will cover their costs by the end of their laying season.

And Dave liks them.

And I love ours - especially the way that they waddle about!! 

[devonbarmygardener]

Awwwwwww so cute!! Love ducklings 
We're not allowed ducks on the lottie - apparently they count as livestock 
Not sure what 11 chooks are if they're not livestock but hey!!

[Sparkyrog]

It may sound odd but the reason Ducks and Geese count as Livestock is because they can be driven as a flock . Not sure about turkeys.

[New shoot]

It may sound odd but the reason Ducks and Geese count as Livestock is because they can be driven as a flock .

Well that's fair comment.  You certainly couldn't drive hens as a flock without chaos ensuing 

However, mine would follow me to the ends of the earth so long as the mealworm tub held out   

[devonbarmygardener]

It may sound odd but the reason Ducks and Geese count as Livestock is because they can be driven as a flock . Not sure about turkeys.

We'd be allowed turkeys if we wanted so that makes sense

[tosca100]

This little one certainly keeps close to mum, unlike her chicks last year who were independently running in all directions in a few days, and all the ducks stick together

[nerdle]

How lovely - I wouldn't go to work either!

[Mum2mj]

I'm soo wanting ducks right now!!

[tosca100]

Well, little Ducky grew and grew, and eventually grew feathers and grew a bit more. We think it's a she (hope) and is very pretty, but being a duck is still rather attached to 'Mum' So when Cagney went broody again, insistantly, and started to shoo Ducky away, we had a very confused soul who had to be chivvied away from her, and was pathetically happy to see her when she was out for a dust bath and feed.We decided against Shumen eggs as they don't seem very robust older birds (unlike the parents), and duck eggs as we don't want any more ducks, so gave her ex-batt eggs. Only one out of seven hatched and seemingly got smothered. But Cagney was still wanting to sit, with Ducky close by. So as it was market day OH went off to see if he could get some day old chicks. Happy happy Cagney....even more confused Ducky! They have their own space in the room, and outside Ducky is not far away. No idea what the chicks will turn into but they will be well looked after and might get pally with the three month-old chicks running about.

Meanwhilee, it really is time for Ducky to be a duck. Maybe when the drake and a couple of his ladies go to a new home he might get closer.
Home from the market

Happy cook

Muuuumm....what you doing with those bumblebees?