The next phase.

All the ducklings are done hatching. Only one did not survive, so that leaves us with nine. It doesn't seem like too many now, but it will be soon!

Today the ducklings learned how to jump and took their first swim. Both very exciting for the ducks and for their people!


Escape Artists

Apparently two day old ducks are much braver and smarter than one day old ducks. As I was fillng up their water bottle in the kitchen, I heard some "peeping" that sounded awfully close. There beside me, was a duckling. Just taking a walk through the kitchen. It was actually adorable. But still, how did he get out? Turns out that the ducklings have learned how to jump. Once one duck figured it out, they all started giving it a try. They would climb to the top of the teddy bear, and jump. Sadly, that was the end of the teddy bear. They will now have to cuddle with just each other.

Swimming Lessons





We decided to let the ducklings have their first swim today. When ducklings first hatch, they have down, not flight feathers. It is the flight feathers that are water repellant. Down is actually absorbant. In the wild, the mama duck transfers oils from her body to the little ducklings to protect them from getting too wet and too cold (apparently). Since we don't have a mama duck, our ducklings can get too cold in water. They can only go for a short swim, then back to the heat lamp. We found a site online that suggested letting the little ducklings swim for the first time in a paint tray, since it would be shallow and have an easy-in, easy-out ramp. We had a couple of those so that is what we did. I'm not sure who enjoyed the swimming more - the ducklings or our family watching them.