Clean water

Duckies so happy that the power has returned so they can have clean pool water

hurricane IRENE

Keeping the duckies very close because of wind and rain causing falling branches etc during their break outside their house (during a lull in the storm) - hurricane IRENE

Hurricane IRENE

Giving the duckies a short break from being inside their house all day.because of hurricane IRENE. (super stormy but not huricane forces here West of Richmond, VA)

Arrived home after choir / praise team practice and went immediately to put the duckies "to bed" (into the duck house) for the night.  All the duckies were sleeping in the pools (girls/hens and boys/drakes).  They were so cute.  When I said time for bed, let's go to bed (which I say every night) they just looked at me.  It took practically stepping into the pool to get them out and headed to the house.

The sweetest thing is that the drakes were sharing pool space so nicely with the hens.
Then our sleepy duckies all went into the house to finish their night's rest.

Such sweet duckies tonight.

We have such beautiful duckies

yummy wet morning grass and running water!

Left: Missy,  Center: Kouta,  Right: Keelyn

They are wondering why GrMaDuck is leaning on the aviary fence.
"Silly GrMaDuck you have to use the gate to get in."

3 short video clips (low res)

Happy hungry duckies excited about a morning rain.


Happy duckies and a morning splash in the rain.


We love this one best. Missy comes back
for more food and LOVES LOVES LOVES it,
and she lets everyone know.
Listen to Missy's happy "this is so yummy quack".

2011.08.14 p1 happy pet ducks (taken with phone camera excuse low quality)

Catching bugs in the morning rain.

Eggs

Missys egg compared to Keelyns. about the same length but thinner.

Egg

Look who laid an egg this morning! Keelyn.

a passing thunder storm cooled things off for a little while...

Heatwave

The duckies took a vote. Frozen peas in a shallow bowl with fresh cool well water is SO much better than alfalfa "tea".

Heatwave

Beau and Kouta were the first ones brave enough to try a new treat ... Frozen Peas. YUM!

Heatwave

Refrigerated Alfalfa "tea" with semi frozen peas a cool treat to help deal with the heat and humidity.

~heatwave~

Right Now (10:30 pm) 86°F Humidity 83%

We have had temperatures climbing to near 100 with high humidity with little wind over the last couple of days.  The weather people are saying it is going to be worse over the two days. 

Our poor duckies really struggle to keep cool.  We are changing out their water as often as possible.  Normally the water buckets are changed once or twice a day, but we are trying to freshen up the water buckets and the pools with the well water more often than that hoping that will provide cooler water. 

Today the human flock members all had to work, so our duckies had to tough it out.  Keelyn must have jump flew over her fence, into main area in the aviary.  The regular pools are harder for her to get in and out of.  This evening she clearly was very hot and very sore from doing too much.  She was treated with an extra late night trip to the pool.  That should help some.  

*sigh*  too much to worry about. 

We will tag team tomorrow through Sunday checking on their conditions and switching out water frequently.  Hmmm.... maybe it is time to try semi-thawed frozen peas as a new treat, that might help cool them down too. 

Sat 7/16/2011

New area for Keelyn for when we are not home.

Missy

Kouta & Keelyn

Keelyn's new area

Keelyn's new big area. Even though she is doing much betteer she can not be left alone with the flock if we aren't home. This area gives her water to splash in room to really walk and a big nest box to get out of the rain and sun.

Sat. Morning 'rehab' - recovering well from leg injury

After an hour walking, foraging, and socializing now for at least 30 minutes non-weight bearing time in the freshly cleaned "big" pool. Friends near by to enjoy the mud from the water Keelyn splashes out.

'sister' duckies'

Missy is hanging out with Keelyn during naptime.

Sat. Fun (01)

A place to get away from the boys "romantic" advances and still walk, dig in the mud, forage, and socialize - for Keelyn (and any of the girls).

Our six pet duckies are playing in the mud

Our six pet duckies are playing in the mud while I think about getting around to cleaning out the pools, house ,etc. But they are so cute that I keep taking pictures instead.