rusky123 Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Came home from work this evening about 9.30 - someone had left the pen gate open today. Vet just left, Fizz had died defending her eggs ,Vera and Tyrone have just had to be put down. I am so very upset. We all loved those ducks.Vet was so very kind.I actually hit my Vizla, who I thought was the bestest well trained dog in the world. I have managed to rescue 7 of Fizzes eggs.3 or 4 others were smashed, I will have a look at them tomorrow in daylight. Got the rescues under an anglepoise lamp. Any help appreciated, less than a week to go. What is it about ducks, they are so very daft but so calming. Tyrone fought to the very end. Sorry I have rambled a bit, got a soggy keyboard now. Cannot stop crying. Adore my dog, but I feel I cannot forgive him. I know it is in his nature, but I am supposed to be in control. My Mum 82 who lives with us fought the dog, but will not admit she left the gate open, she is splattered with blood. I am not blaming her I just feel angry she did not phone me when there was a problim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 So sorry,what a horrid thing to happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Very sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Sorry to hear that - I hope you find some of the eggs are OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 How awful . I'm so sorry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 sorry to hear this upsetting news. hope you can forgive your dog soon, its not the dog's fault im afraid. fingers crossed you can hatch some eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 What a shame Don't be too cross with your mum, she wouldn't have left the pen gate open on purpose and she must be feeling terrible. You poor thing, not a nice situation to come home to I hope you manage to hatch some of the eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 I am still very upset, in work today one of my chefs called a table number, 2 little ducks, one of my dishwashers nearly killed him I know it is not my Mum or dogs fault. Dogs instinct is very strong even though he is well trained, and my Mum is 82, I am not blaming her really, just gut reaction. I may have a little bit of good news, candled Fizz's eggs last night, all 8 rescued ones seem to be doing well, look good, and a bit of movement in 2 of them, in fact I have just seen an egg move!. Even tho my Mum is not speaking to me at the mo, she told one of my kids that an egg is moving on its own. Please do not tell me it is about to explode!!!. DH has told me if more eggs than we have room for hatch, he will expand the duck pen. I am nervous about rearing them if I am lucky enough.Planned a really strong spring closure for gate. Thank you for your kind words, really appreciate it. Take care all, Moyna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 How far into incubation are the eggs? You don't normally get duck eggs moving till around day 24/5 if thats any help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 About 3 1/2 weeks. When we candled, all 8 eggs had large air sacks, and we could see a huge mass inside them all. I do not want to hope too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Fizz's eggs are all very grubby, covered with poo and soil and feathers. Thought it best not to wash them at this late stage. Have sprayed them lightly with water just to get the humidity up. Decided to take a few days of to watch them. Wish me luck please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 OOh your in for a couple of nail biting days Forget about the housework or anything else for that matter, you wont be able to stay away from the eggs Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 Thank you Duckmomma, have planned on a few days off this week, not for this, but thats life. Please keep fingers crossed for us, I really just want just 1 egg to hatch from Fizz. She was such a delightful feisty character, and Tyrone was a real sweety.for all his size. Missing our walks down to the duck pen and seeing these delightful creatures just strutting their stuff. Tyrone for all his size had the most pathetic squeaky quack, he adored Vera, never left her side. Oh goodness crying again. Have got bought eggs from e-bay incubating, all of them seem OK. resisted the thought to get rid of them and put Fizz's eggs in. See what tomorrow brings. XX Moyna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 That sounds hopeful doesn't it! I hope it all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 OOPS I meant 2 1/2 weeks, not 3 1/2, although I had been missing Fizz at feed times for a week or so before I noticed she was sitting on eggs. Bought another incubator this morning, her eggs have just gone in it. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but not hoping too much. I even talked to my dog tonight, he has been introduced to kittens, chicks, chickens,babies over the past 4 years, all no problem, although he does sit on our young ginger cat sometimes. No malice in him, but instinct is a powerful thing. My Mum is talking again, she is as upset as I am. I am just feeling very guilty about blaming others when it was my own responsibility to look after my animals myself. Anyway enough of such maudlin stuff, lets look forward to just 1 hatched egg, please , pretty please . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 None of Fizzes eggs hatched, noticed a really bad smell and lost them all. But a little bit of good news, one of my bought eggs has started to pip. . Really excited, and nervous as well. As I am a newbie to duck keeping, panicing as to what do do after hatch, have I got the right equipment, food etc. My garden is empty without the ducks, hopefully not for much longer!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Sorry about Fizz's eggs, but excited to hear about the one that is pipping. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Oooh! exciting! Do let us know if it hatches successfully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 That's great Fingers crossed for you Don't worry just enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Another egg has pipped, plus a 3rd one looks as if its moving and has started to bulge a little.!. Cannot stop looking at them . Supposed to be finishing DD's wedding invites tonight, shaking too much to tie the bows. If I am lucky how soon after hatching do I feed them?. Thanks for your kind messages I really appreciate it. Take care all, Moyna. PS., the first egg is REALLY noisy. So excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Just had a huge baby duck, he/she is black and yellow with big stripey feet and a very loud voice. Came out of egg so quickly. Help, what do I do next?.Moved incubator shelf down, put non-slip flooring in bottom of incubator, not going to bed yet. , Percy or Albert (Tatlock) if its a boy. Rita or Emily if its a girl, what do you think?.Cannot stop smiling . 3 other eggs are about to emerge!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Great news! and great names! They won't need feeding for the first 24 hours. I hope we're going to see some photos ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I love the names. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Percy doing well, cannot believe how big he is. His feet are HUGE. I would never have believed that a duckling a few hours hatched could jump so much, and respond so quickly to a voice.And how do they fit in that egg?. It has been amazing. Looking forward to the grandkiddies coming to see him in the morning. Norris is having a bit of trouble hatching, almost 24 hours now, I can see his beak and an eye. The other eggs seem quiet. I have starter crumb for them, do I need to moisten it?. Many thanks, Moyna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 Norris! - you might habve known he'd prove to be a pain I hope he has successfully hatched now? The crumb should be fine as it is as long as they also have some drinking water in a shallow dish. Nothing too big as ducklings hatched in an incubator won't be waterproof for a few days. Ducklings hatched by a duck are waterproofed by Mum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
