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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 28, 2008 22:16:38 GMT 8
We now have 3 pipping! two had pipped underneath where I couldnt see so I turned them upwards. I candled to see what was going on and one has pipped half way down the shell where there is no airsac. Any tips on this? One has made a large "zip" and looks like its about to come sliding right out. I can see it spinning round in the shell, amazing! A baby in the morning for the kids! Yay. Sunny has had a large (for him) drink/feed and gone off to sleep again. Thanks, Wendy. PS Im off to bed now......finally! Its been a long, long day
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 28, 2008 22:27:43 GMT 8
OMG!! It just came out as I was typing the last post! perfectly. lovely shell intact, perfect baby. Im so happy. hes just resting with his head up against another egg peeping. Yipeee! Thats more like it! Anyway, I'll keep you posted in the morning. Now my adrenalins kicked in, d**n it! Was tired....... Thanks for putting up with my little "blog" guys by the way
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Nov 29, 2008 6:38:05 GMT 8
Congrats wendy, thats great news
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Post by fluffychook on Nov 29, 2008 7:10:57 GMT 8
Fantastic news Wendy, so glad Sunny is doing well too. Aren't ducklings just the cutest things. Really looking forward to some more piccies. As for the baby zipping in the middle, I have not had experience with that, but I will have a look around and see what others say. I have a few moments as all are asleep. My beautiful granddaughter is very sick so we have all been on call for loves and cuddles. Not that I am complaining...lol I actually felt very flattered that she wanted me over everybody else and fell asleep in my arms. She then wanted her Nanny and Grumpa, so a trip over to see them. She then wanted home. Poor sweetheart, I so hate it when they are sick. At least the antibiotics will have started to work by now.
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 29, 2008 8:22:40 GMT 8
Fluffy, Im sorry about your grandaughter. They certainly need love and cuddles. Sometimes thats all you can do for them until they get better.I hope she get well soon. I have put "Rocky" into the brooder with Sunny and they are doing fine together. Sunny is much better today although Im keeping an eye on his legs as they are slightly splayed maybe. They are both eating and drinking a little bit. The other two eggs havent done anything yet. I did some looking on BYP and with the pip in the middle one, I have just decided to wait and see. i picked some more shell off and the membrane beneath still looks quite bloody. Im not going to help him until this goes away.I have him wrapped in a moist cloth in the incubator with just his pip hole showing. The other egg is still making progress. Heres a couple of pics of Sunny and Rocky, Rocky is the one whos still got a bit of drying out to do.
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Post by fluffychook on Nov 29, 2008 8:38:25 GMT 8
Thanks so much for the pictures, it is great to see a success story. Sunny is looking really good, I am amazed at the recovery ability of these little guys. Looks like Rocky and Sunny are going to get along famously. They do hate to be alone.
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 29, 2008 9:52:59 GMT 8
Good news is that "fluffy" has arrived. he is still in the incubator. Wow! I cant believe how much water these guys are going through!! i just had a yoghurt lid in there and they were sucking it dry. I have put in my lemon squeezer with some marbles in it and theyre very happy with it. bye for now Ive got lots to do today as I have done stuff all for the past couple of days. lol
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Post by fluffychook on Nov 29, 2008 11:18:54 GMT 8
We just recently bought a 12 litre container for our ducks. They drink and splash a HUGE amount. Your lemon squeezer is not going to last long....lol.....it might be a bit of a squeeze....oh so bad Now who was the lovely person who named the duckling 'Fluffy'....great taste
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 29, 2008 15:30:54 GMT 8
That would be my son. And I told him you'd like it!! Fluffy is out of the incubator now, but Ive put him in a separate box to dry out and get his legs. The 4th egg is still alive but still quite a bit of bloody membrane showing, much less than this mornign though and the baby seems quite happy and not in distress so im planning to just leave him there until the blood goes away. Yes, I know the lemon squeezer is not going to last long. I am going to make one of those juice bottle waterers in the next few days. The one where you cut a couple of holes near to the bottom of the container so they can put their head in but not splash around in it. They can have a splash when we take them out of their box. I have a paint roller tray for them. Fluffy what age is it alright to take them outside if its nice and warm so they can have a splash around? And when they get bigger I have our old baby bath. Our old cot is in use too, It is housing the brooder box in the loungeroom so its a little less accessible to our littlies. Im too scared to put them in the shed in case the power goes out or something. Anyway, we like having the little fellas inside at the moment. Well, gotta go now and get tea on. bye for now
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Post by fluffychook on Nov 29, 2008 16:31:04 GMT 8
Tell your son I do like it. I took the babies outside as soon as they were recovered from hatching. They were very active in the brooder so I knew it was time. I put a small bowl of water with some tiny pieces of either spinach or lettuce in the water. If they did not show any interest in the water they were introduced by placing them in the water. They usually freak and jump straight out. But within minutes they are back in and have a great time. I let them stay as long as they like as they know when they have had enough. As the weather is warm it is not a concern. I am very fortunate that I was able to get a cage that was mobile and easily carried. It has an opening lid at each end of the cage. One I asked hubby to put in. With my last hatch I was putting the ducklings outside in a warm place without a light. They had shade from the lids and sunshine from the middle section. I kept a small bowl of swimming water, one of the childrens plastic bowls is perfect. Actually I have a picture of my hatch in one I will find and post it shortly. Anyway they were left outside until the sun moved off the lawn and then put back in the brooder. This way they had several hours of outside time in a safe environment, access to swimming water, plus plenty of food. I bought some of the non slip roll and cut it up and put it on the wire and the exposed floor part I put straw. Each day I would wash the non slip roll. Works better than paper as it does not go soggy.
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Post by fluffychook on Nov 29, 2008 16:47:00 GMT 8
Forgot to mention if you don't have a cage they spend time outside in, still take them out side on the lawn or area suitable. Do Not leave them unattended. Crows, hawks and anything else that think ducklings are great entree will take them while your back is turned. We would spend ages outside with them, they are very theraputic and so funny to watch. They loved going in my garden looking for bugs, slaters and snails being a favourite. Yes this is at a couple of days old. We also found they followed anything that moved, that included the dog....very funny.
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 29, 2008 20:34:51 GMT 8
Thanks for the good advice on the outdoors fluffy. I have a non portable setup for them in the form of a dog kennel and pet fencing with wire over the top. I looked for a 2nd hand hutch but didnt find anything at a reasonable price. My partner said he'd make one. I told him he'd better hurry up then. We still havent started the chookrun either. Lucky Ive got 4 weeks off work after Wednesday next week!! Well an update on the other eggsThe one that pipped at the wrong end is nearly out. With a little slow help from me. I took part of the shell away this morning and the membrane is looking better but I can just see that the yolk sac is still visible. I have wrapped him back up in a moist chux and popped him back in the incubator. He seems quite content still and is flexing his muscles. i think if hes not ready to come out later tonight he will come out in the morning. My daughter has already named him Cookie! Well, actually her friend in Canada named him!! And to my surprise, this arvo another egg has started to pip. So if they both make it, We will have 5 little ducks - just like the song - my son said!! Anyway, Im not staying up late to watch tonight, well I say that now but who know??? lol Catch you all in the morning
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 30, 2008 8:24:13 GMT 8
Hey guys, cookie is out and in a separate box from the others. He has been in there all night. he is nice and fluffy. He is having trouble standing up properly he seems to want to lean to one side and flop to one side. he definately doesnt like laying on one side either. Thinking maybe he has something "out". Anyway, Im going to bring him out now for something to eat and drink and see how he goes.
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Post by Duck Diva on Nov 30, 2008 17:15:54 GMT 8
Well, cookie is still not walking properly. he is eating and drinking though. Im not sure if he'll improve. he seems healthy enough despite the problem he has staying on his feet. Not sure why he cant seem to balance. Anyone else had this before? Thanks, Wendy
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Nov 30, 2008 18:12:06 GMT 8
Hopefully fluffy can help ya with that wendy. Reading your above posts it doesnt sound like he's got spraddle legs. He's not doing the splits is he? He's rather leaning to one side? I havent had that problem myself so I cant offer much help, hopefully fluffy can though
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