Uh oh. Eugenia laid eleven eggs and is now sitting on them every day! Prepare for ducklings!
Now I have to go learn all about Muscovy duck husbandry. Fortunately I have friends with duck knowledge. And I know I have to get Eugenia and her eggs cordoned off from the drakes before the eggs hatch!
Eugenia giving me the stinkeye. She pecked my toes when I went in there tonight with straw.
Meanwhile, Gordon and Charlie Sheen hang out and drink beers. Okay, no beers.
What am I going to do with eleven ducklings? Although someone already requested two, and I don't even have a successful hatching yet...
Muscovy ducklings
ReplyDeletein the egg waiting to hatch
Charlie Sheen offspring
Muscovys are really cute as ducklings. I loved mine... just a word of caution. They shouldn't be near deep water. Even the adults can only be in water for a maximum of 30 minutes before drowning. More of a forest bird. ;)
ReplyDeleteDucklings? I can hardly wait to read about them!
ReplyDeleteHow cute; how long have we got to wait to see them?
ReplyDeleteUh-oh, Knatolee is counting her ducklings before they hatch! Never fear, I think ducks are pretty successful mothers. And we are pretty certain that Charlie Sheen is fertile. My feeling is that Eugenia will teach you most of what you need to learn about duck husbandry.
ReplyDeleteI do believe you need to get special duck/goose kibbles for babies though as something sticks in my mind, that chick starter is medicated and not recommended for waterfowl.
How long is gestation for ducks? 21 days for chicks and 30 for geese, I know.
Awaiting the birth announcement.
I'm going to be an aunt! Make way for duckling!!
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you just nab the eggs and make an omlette? (Maybe I'm missing something about the keeping of ducks)
ReplyDeleteOne thing we know for sure...they'll all be lucky ducks, well fed and carefully named.
ReplyDeleteHa! Eugenia really is looking at you with those "stay back" eyes. Ducklings are cute. Can't wait to see what Eugenia hatches out for you.
ReplyDeleteIt should be fun! I would probably call them by numbers, with a capital letter. One, Two, Three....
ReplyDeleteJust a question - when does one offer congratulations on these new arrivals? Now, or do we wait until they hatch?
ReplyDeleteKatnip, that was WONDERFUL! ANd I haven't even launched the contest yet!
ReplyDeleteKristine,that's great advice, thanks. I did put a step inside the kiddy pool for the adults, as I was told they can drown too if they get too tired! I am going to segregate any ducklings from the drakes AND from the pool.
Ahab,there are now 12 eggs and if any of them hatch, I suspect there will be many adventures.
ReplyDeleteLBM and Musical Gardener, I read that they sit on the eggs for about 33 days. I have to get an action plan together. And I will look into their feed needs. Right now we buy organic feed at Homestead Organics in Berwick; they gave us a duck mix but I'll ask if they know what babies need. And I wonder if Mama duck needs anything extra?
Ronna, maybe Ronna Jr. will be sitting on eggs next! :)
Andrew, you typical male, if this next o' eggs hatches, I'll make omelettes with any future eggs!
ReplyDeleteFran, they will be totally spoiled, as per usual around here.
PilgrimsCOttage, now she is pecking at me fiercely whenever I go in the duckhouse. I try not to bother her too much but we need to change the food and water! SHe's got the stink-eye down to an art now. SUch a good little duck-mama.
Claude, that would make life easier!
ReplyDeleteEvlyn, probably we should wait until they hatch. Until then, they are just potential omelettes! ;)
Ooh ducklings. Is Charlie Sheen fearing a multiple paternity suit??
ReplyDelete