So the solitary chick has continued to grow. It ( we think its a she) isnt big enough yet to take its chances in the big wide world .
so we've moved it to a bigger run, in a more isolated bit and once the mother and chick have 'learned' where their new home is, we can let them out to explore - and eat and grow.
Old home
New home
So we had a broody hen.
And we have some ducks that are laying eggs
So we put the 2 together about a month ago
1 egg must have been sterile
1 duckling seems to have died shortly after birth
And I think we have 7.
So the chick is getting a bit bigger, and getting a bit bolder.
We don't yet know if its a him-chick or a her-chick
So the little chick has survived so far, and was out exploring the environment this afternoon
Hens go broody . They sit on any eggs they lay or find and then peck at you if you disturb them .
So after checking no eggs under one of the broody hens ( weve got 4 broody at the moment) I left her to it.
So it was a bit of a surprise to come across this .
So it is now in a run with food and water , and we shall see what it grows into
Well, too many rams is a bad idea.
They fight and injure ( or kill) each other.
They are aggressive and difficult to handle .
The solution is easy .
OFF WITH THEIR B***S
So the vet came and did the necessary
An after the event.
What do you do with 18 sheeps' testicles ?
A surprise in the duck run .
A duckling !
It must be a duckling hatched by wild ducks on the moor. And either it got separated from the mother , or it got washed down a small burn, and into the pond.
What to do with it ?
We tried it in with the poults , but it just cowered in a corner and got pecked.
So it went into a box by itself.
A post on an Orkney wildlife Facebook group found someone who was keen to have a duckling.
