4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Zigana]

Tuesday has diarrhoea

 

I ordered him his new food but it hasn't arrived yet. Could it be the chick crumbs? He is really perky otherwise and rushes around all over the place. He is eating well.

 

He has had it for 2 days. It ranges from almost normal to very runny (but this is very very occasionally). Most of the time it is mush (yes I know duck poo is mush anyway but this is more mush).

 

Any tips. Should I take him to the vet?

 

Also he ate a square of toilet tissue (stupid animal) today. Will he be ok?

 

Just when I was starting to get over my worry!

 

Thanks for any tips

Anna

[Guest]

If he is eating and drinking that is good, any pic? but the crumbs shouldnt make a difference, try some mash potatoes but if he is ok there poo does change (semi soft to watery etc) not sure what a piece of loo roll will do??

indie

[Zigana]

Thanks for the quick reply. Definitely just as active, hungry and thirsty as normal.

 

Newest Picture:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/Sh7r2gDMduI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/7TIIaVWSWFM/s1600-h/Tuesday+standing+28May09.JPG

 

He had a growth spurt last night and sudden growth of feathers.

 

Anna

[Guest]

He looks like he is doing really well, those feathers are starting to come now arent they.

 

About 7-8 weeks and he will have the full lot and start trying to fly(lots of flapping & crashing)

 

Looks really healthy, he will need water to waterproof his feathers off..

 

I have just got a load of wild ducklings about 20+ they are really late this year. Only couple of days old. Have some others probably on nests so some more will be along soon

 

good luck indie

[Zigana]

Thanks. He likes to practice flying already but only gets off the floor for a millisecond!

 

I have been taking him in the garden and have a bowl for him to paddle in but he likes to chuck it over his head.

 

Toilet roll seems to have cleared up his diarrhoea!!! Not a treatment I would suggest to anyone else

 

Can't wait for the flying fun (hopefully not too much crashing).

 

Thanks again.

 

Anna

[bessandra]

Hi Anna

Tuesday is doing well!

I wouldnt worry too much about the poo...they seem to have approximately 4 different types of poo, from what I can see. I'm sure he will be fine - keep an eye to make sure he is drinking so he doesnt become dehydrated. I'm sure loo roll would quickly break down in his gut and soon 'squish' out the other end!

Rachel

[Guest]

When i had ducks they were always gleaming white(Aylesburys ) and amazing as they lived in Squalor! They are such messy creatures. But always gleaming

[Zigana]

Little update. His feathers have suddenly sprouted! Also his voice has changed much softer.

 

I really think he might be a boy. His feet are getting lighter along the toes and also his beak has light edges. Not sure but something tells me that he is a boy. Doesn't feel right saying she! Not that that means much.

 

Anyway some pictures of him flying (well trying) and one of him standing to see all those new feathers:

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SiF_uFAJ_ZI/AAAAAAAAA1o/riiQJ_JQUNA/s1600-h/Tuesday+Warmup2+30May09.JPG

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SiGCiEtgTPI/AAAAAAAAA3A/CkzUwoNE6ws/s1600-h/Tuesday+Standing+30May09.JPG

 

Enjoy

 

Anna

[Guest]

He She is gorgeous, looks good the full feathers will come through quickly now, they look like a fully grown duck(stating the obvious) when they do really start flapping..it ends up looking like they have a nervous contagious flapping problem when it really gets going.

 

We just have lots of small ones few days old so yours is well ahead. They have been late producing round my area

 

good luck indie

[Lewis]

Aww

The clicker training is

 

Are you keeping him as a pet when he grows up?

[Zigana]

Thanks lwescott,

 

I clicker train my dogs and training a different animal really improves your skills because they aren't so forgiving with timing errors and mess ups that dogs are due to not being domesticated for 1000s of years.

 

I will keep him as a pet if that is what he chooses. But if he chooses to go off and find a mate and never come back that is fine to (although I will miss him terribly). If he chooses to use me as a half way house for food and shelter but nothing else then that is fine too.

 

Anyone have any experience with rescues staying or leaving?

 

Thanks again and glad you liked the blog

 

Anna

[Lewis]

Anyone have any experience with rescues staying or leaving?

Not personally, but we adopted a wild duckling which was running around the heavy horses paddock on its own at the farm. He grew up with other ducklings and then when they went out into pens he flew away. I suppose it could have been instinct?

Personally if you want to keep him I'd suggest clipping one wing just for the first year, so he knows where home is, and then not do it after a moult so he has the option to go or stay.

[Guest]

HI

 

I really think it will be a shame to keep what is in effect a wild bird. I hope he flies away at the earliest opportunity.

 

We have had single ducklings that have managed to make it to the full growth it would be a pity to deny the duck its natural environment.

 

I know you will do what is best as the duckling is thriving with your help.

 

please dont clip the duck as suggested

 

indie

[Zigana]

Hi Indie,

 

I too am hoping that he will fly and be wild although I will be very sad

 

I would never clip his wings. Near me is the Thames and a wetlands centre which he can go to so he has a good choice.

 

It will be hard but ultimately that is a better life for him so I will also be pleased. I just hope he stays long enough for me to know if he is a male or female

 

Thanks for everyones help I really appreciate it. I will definitely have ducks when/if he goes as they have just the best characters.

 

Anna

[Guest]

Hi Indie,

 

I too am hoping that he will fly and be wild although I will be very sad

 

I would never clip his wings. Near me is the Thames and a wetlands centre which he can go to so he has a good choice.

 

It will be hard but ultimately that is a better life for him so I will also be pleased. I just hope he stays long enough for me to know if he is a male or female

 

Thanks for everyones help I really appreciate it. I will definitely have ducks when/if he goes as they have just the best characters.

 

Anna

 

 

Hi Zigana

 

I knew you wouldnt as you metioned it before about letting him or her go! Hope you find out if he/she is??? but the male ducks around here are just starting to moult(so they end up all looking the same) The males are a just a tad bigger but as you have one no comparison..???

 

But at least the duck survived due to your effort

 

I was going to suggest if the duck appeals get a domesticated one, there are some really nice types of duck around.

 

Good luck glad its all going well

indie

[Zigana]

A little update (some pictures to follow). He has again suddenly grown and just last night he started to grow some feathers on his wings He is so funny and can definitely get a little further off the ground already. I can't believe he is nearly 6 weeks (ish), It has gone so fast.

 

Anna

[Guest]

A little update (some pictures to follow). He has again suddenly grown and just last night he started to grow some feathers on his wings He is so funny and can definitely get a little further off the ground already. I can't believe he is nearly 6 weeks (ish), It has gone so fast.

 

Anna

 

 

They do grow really fast once he looks fully grown he really will be ready to go..probably within next couple weeks(love to see some pics) our little ducklings are behind your one..

 

good luck indie

[Zigana]

These pictures are from Sunday and he has definitely got more feathers and grown since then so I will try and take some more tomorrow and update again.

 

In the mean time:

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SjAXAaDTdaI/AAAAAAAAA4E/zJeXlfJbLW4/s1600-h/Tuesday+Front2+7May09.JPG

 

Him enjoying one of the 10+ snails he has enjoyed since he has had access to a grassed area:

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SjAXAle5RqI/AAAAAAAAA4M/T8izJfh8q6k/s1600-h/Tuesday+Snail+7May09.JPG

[Guest]

He looks really lovely and the pics are great I can understand why you will miss him if he takes off. We have hand fed the wild ones in the past they come in our house but when they come back every year I look at them and wonder if they remember me. yesterday a nesting female came down and pecked on my doors as I was watching the TV for some pellets(they cost me a fortune in pellets at this time of year).

 

I have two sets of ducklings and I think a couple more batches will turn up soon.

 

Your duckling still has only half his flight feathers they will grow fast and cover to the end of his back end, he still is downey.

 

Arent the snails disgusting, I was the only person that wanted snails in my garden we use to lift up rocks looking for them, my next door neighbour use to throw them over the fence for the ducks.

 

Thanks for sharing your great pics

 

indie

[Zigana]

Newest pics. Hope I am not boring you with these!

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SjF1tRMcroI/AAAAAAAAA4k/ZFDSPDqd3yQ/s1600-h/Tuesday+Flowers3+11June09.JPG

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SjF1s198TuI/AAAAAAAAA4U/jvD2I1juyxg/s1600-h/Tuesday+11June09.JPG

[Guest]

oh keep the pics coming still the baby fluffy feathers at the back...a few more to go yet. Bless him or her, really great pics.

Was wondering how your duck was doing, the ducklings on my pond are about 7 inches long now about 7of them with no loses as yet, I try not to encourage them onto my lawn as thats when the crows will pick them off but its great if they all survive. One year one mother had 15 ducklings and they all survived!

 

Great to see doing so well, what a great story.

 

Nearly there now

 

indie

[Guest]

Any news on your duck?? was wondering how he/she was getting on as must be time to fly soon?? hope it is a happy ending indie

 

Will try to post the pics of the 7 we have wondering around (half grown) indie

[Zigana]

Hi Indie,

 

Thanks for asking. Tuesday is doing really well. Not flying yet but feathers coming in really well on his wings now so hopefully the next few days.

 

I contacted the london wetlands centre for their advice on whether he would fly away or need releasing as he so loves being free I don't want to keep him when he isn't able to be free all the time. So next week end (as long as he can fly) he will be released into a lovely area which is not well known to walkers and has loads of vegetation.

 

I will get some more pictures up in the next couple of days and will be filming his release which I will put on you tube for you to see.

 

Thanks for asking and I look forward to the pictures of yours.

 

All the best

Anna

[Zigana]

Ok Newest pictures. Tuesday is now 7 weeks and 5 days. I am thinking that his flight feathers are a bit behind what they should be at this age but perhaps I am wrong. Have a look and tell me what you think.

 

I don't think I will be releasing him this saturday unless these feathers get a jiggle on.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SkIl10mBdSI/AAAAAAAAA60/SRCqSa6UX4Y/s1600-h/24June09+portrait.JPG

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SkIqkTbARvI/AAAAAAAAA70/Su7C5D976hY/s1600-h/24June09+feathers3.JPG

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SkIrpi9B00I/AAAAAAAAA8U/2M1-lDSshaM/s1600-h/24June09+standing.JPG

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_plUVdy1ff6Y/SkI1byhrXfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/QNuf6OJblzM/s1600-h/24June09+fly3.JPG

[Guest]

No dont release him he still looks like he has a few fluffy ones , he will look fully grown when ready..just like an adult duck but when he does take off it will happen very quickly..they dont hang around...they just cannot stop flapping(it is really irritating to watch as if they have a nervous flap

 

But well done we now have a second batch of ducklings turned up yesterday(5) and the 7 half grown are doing well

 

Great to see he is nearly there

 

indie