Tom chirps

 

This short video clip shows Tom eating dried mealworms. You can hear him chirping. He does this pretty much all the time, except when resting or sleeping. And he does it a lot when he's excited - like when there are mealworms.

He spends a lot of time on his own, happily chirping as he forages in the grass. Because he's the youngest and smallest he gets left behind a bit, though he doesn't stand any messing. If one of them tries to snatch the strand he's chewing, he'll quickly have a go at them.

Petal

Petal is a beautiful bird, and sleek. She's also a bit mean. She likes plenty of space around her in the pool, and will happily peck a neighbour to shift them. She also pecks the others outside the pool. I've seen her give a hard push with her beak to another female walking by the pool, who was thrown hard into the water.

I had to go in and put her on the naughty stool (my lap), yesterday, until she'd calmed down. I think being picked up is quite an affront to her dignity.

Petal collecting preen oil.

There'll be no messing with her when she's grown up.

growing wings

Day 36. Saturday 7th August 2010

more feathers

Day 34. Thursday 5th August 2010

The feathers on this female are developing nicely. The wings have still got some way to go though.

The feathers on top of Jake's head are just starting to change to the lovely iridescent green colour of a mature male. He's becoming a man (no offence meant to mallards).

Here's a close-up:

new bedroom

They're getting a bit big to all fit in the hutch, though they do squeeze up tight when they're sleeping. So we've put in a barrel, with straw for a bed.

The ducks check out the barrel. Little Tom was the first in. He was chirping all the time. In fact, he chirps the most when something new happens and he gets excited - just like a little kid!

duck diet

This is what the ducks have been eating:

Sliced greens from the garden: cabbage, turnip tops, parsnip tops, beans and peas (also lettuce, but it's all gone at present, and dandelions and chickweed picked for them).

Chopped turnip.

A mixture of porridge oats, game feed (such as shooters might buy), cracked wheat, and seeds (wild bird food).

Dried mealworms - as a treat only.

The price of mealworms!

If you buy dried mealworms, it's worth shopping around. You can pay up to £5 for a 100g bag, even £9.20 for 112g. In the UK, we found our local B&M Bargains offered the best deal at 100g for £1.99. Of course, if you buy from a bulk supplier you can do better.

favourite spot

Day 33. Wednesday 4th August 2010

The ducks like lying on the duckboards, and prefer the highest one. They're good for us, too, because they are easy to hose clean.

remember?

Remember when they were this big? (One month ago!)

a visitor

A pheasant finishes the ducks' unused fodder.

ducks on the duckboards

Day 32. Tuesday 3rd August 2010

Evan at front. He's been quiet lately, probably because Lex is away and he misses her.

Little Tom. He chirps most of the time and comes to the fence often. He's the youngest and smallest, so I think he still needs his mom.

Floating. The females dominate the pool.

preening poses

first quack

Day 30. Sunday 1st August 2010

Jake (the middle-sized drake) quacked today.

Jake (was) asleep.

Jake awake.

Out for a ride in the sun.

Brother and sister.

The ducklings' dad.

Lexi says:

I make them oats most mornings, then some water and chick crumb. I add a bit of it and mix it up. They have some chick weed separately.

new swimming pool

Day 29. Saturday 31st July 2010

luvaduck

Day 28. Friday 30th July 2010

A lap full.

A belly full.

A shirt full.

One month old today.

new feathers

Beautiful new feathers on her wings, back, chest and tail.

new extension

Day 27. Thursday 29th July 2010

A new run with room to practise take-off.

Hair peck.

ducks lapping

Day 25. Tuesday 27th July 2010



The rapid lapping sound of ducks sucking up water.

all penned in

Day 24. Monday 26th July 2010

Ella, Alex and Lex with Evan, Violet and Jake (who is hidden by the hutch.

preening

Ducks spend a lot of time preening themselves. They preen to remove parasites, to remove scales which cover newly sprouting feathers, to spread oil on their feathers and to comb the barbs on their feathers so that they interlock. The oil comes from the preen gland on the rump. The duck picks up the oil with its head and beak and rubs it over its feathers.

wings and feathers

The females' wings are starting to form and their mature feathers are coming through. They all look scruffy at the moment as they lose their down, their chick fluff. (This one looks particularly scruffy because her feathers are wet too.)

mad ducks

Day 23. Sunday 25th July 2010

Mirror reflection.

Deep preening.

Legs on upside down.

A dive and a shake.

Duck drawing.

Duck's drawing (bottom left).

four poses

Day 22. Saturday 24th July 2010

Swan neck.

Fluffball.

An awkward spot.

A beautiful bird.

Note those lovely female legs and feet, now becoming orange.