Freckles

Missy's "freckles" are so cute! We don't know if they show up here, but trust us this sweet bossy but submissive yet funny sweetie has a very pretty face. We love her freckles!
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Here is a better close up on Missy's "freckles"  <3

2011-06-17

2011-06-18

a visiting female mallard interupts our morning routine

We had a female mallard fly in to visit the duckies this morning.

Keelyn was doing her loud, "come over here everybody" quack while the other girls were preening from their first bath, and the boys were outside the aviary foraging. (Our normal morning routine while Keelyn is on the mend.) Beau tried twice to walk through the aviary fencing confussed and upset about something. It wasn't until then that I noticed her flying over. She circled then landed in the yard between the aviary and the garden. She seemed to be interested in pool and food.

It was so funny; as soon as this young female landed she started walking over caustiously. Darrick was the only on willing to go out and "greet" her. He was so excited to see this other girlie duckie. However, Darrick is not very good at flirting and our visitor was not impressed. I guess she doesn't appreciate being chased. Darrick cracked me up. He ran over to her, chased her, gave up, came back over and bragged at bit to the other boys, then did that again a few times.

Our visting female came over a foraged a bit with the boys where the pools had over flowed outside the aviary. She seemed to be looking for a way to get to the pool, but settled for a little digging around for goodies in the dirt with the boys (not too close mind you).

Then Darrick tried the run around and chase her yet another time. She had enough of that and fly away.

It was a very enjoyable thing to watch.

I personally have concerns about the wild ducks getting used to sharing with our pet ducks. But if Darrick continues "greet" all vistors by running about wildly chasing them, we may have no reason to be concerned.

movie from last Sat 6/6/11

This is a "movie" from last Saturday June 6.
MamaDuck dialed in to webchat and GrMaDuck and our six pet duckies all spent the morning together.

2011-06-11 cooling off

Our duckies (Missy, Beau, Kouta, Darrick cooling off with a drink and a dip in the pool)

Keelyn 2011-06-11

Keelyn thru the "bars" of her rest and recover area

Queenie (2) 2011-06-11

Queenie keeping cool (2)

Queenie 2011-06-11

Queenie keeping cool

Duckie 2011-06-12

Our Duckies (one view of the new Keelyn area)

GrMaDuck's Saturday Morning Report

GrMaDuck here ...
I spent all morning in the aviary, as is typical for a Saturday. I moved and rearranged Keelyn's "playpen" out from the center of the aviary. I used the flower border fencing we have been using but split it up into three smaller areas. (We will post pictures later.)  The boredom and separation really gets to her.  I, GrMaDuck, hope that having a few different SMALL areas to be in will discourage attempts to walk (we need those legs to heal) but will also help with the boredom and maybe the flock will spend a bit more time with her.  The primary spot is near the human chairs, where the rest of the flock likes to nap in the afternoon, on the side of the aviary that gets the most shade. I am hoping this will help keep her cool on these very hot days.

I love to be out with the flock, even when I am sweating while cleaning out pools, carriers, house, etc.  They were such a happy flock this morning.  The boys foraged outside while the girls got there morning swim and bath (pretty routine for us these days) and both girls and boys seem to enjoy the longer special time.  Our very vocal Missy (MissAdventure), was talkative and happy.  Lots of loud happy slightly bossy quacks this morning, along with my favorite, her happy song.  All the ducks have a happy song, but Missy sings hers is the loudest.  When the boys came back in the aviary they too started singing their happy song... clean pools, grass, floating duck food, everyone all together, pen raked clean, and no fighting over girls, yep.. the boys were happy and they were singing their deep boy coo coo happy songs.  I LOVE IT!

My only worry this morning, is Queenie, she is VERY heavy with egg(s) again.  She is showing all the classic signs of being egg bound again.  (pray saints pray)  If she doesn't lay by Monday, I am afraid we are off to another expensive vet visit.

I, GrMaDuck, am happy to report that when Keelyn is in the water we are starting to see her move her left leg much more again.  Now if we can just keep her happy and not trying to walk on it.  She will endure great pain to try and walk to get close to the flock. 

That is all for now.

Have a duckie weekend!
:>

Back in the box

We had been not been forcing Keelyn to stay inside the pet carrier all day (when see wasn't in the pool or tub) for two reasons.
First, she hated it. She naturally does not want to be separated from the flock at all. The carrier creates a significant separation, even when set out among the flock in the avairy. She was feeling better and stronger and it was making her really upset to be in it.
Secondly, the weather has been very hot and humid. The carrier with limited air flow becomes an like oven in the VA heat, even in the shade.
So for the last several days she has just been in her "playpen" area. She was doing and feeling better but tried to do too much "walking" (hobbling) and reinjuried her left leg. So with cooler temps and Keelyn wanting to lean on something to help deal with the pain in her leg, she is back in the box. Today she is happy to have a soft pile of wood chips under her and a wall to lean against.
Thanking God for cooler weather.

GrMaDuck was greeted by these lovelies at work this morning. Joy !

Trying to balance what is best for Keelyn's legs against her very real need for socialization with the flock is tricky. Here is a moment when I was duck sitting close by and I let Kouta and Darrick have a swim with her.


(this is low quality phone video)

~GrMaDuck~

Rehab - Duck Sitting

I am standing guard over Keelyn while she gets some time in the shallow pool. She is feeling well enough to "jump/fly" out of the pool (even the "deep" pool, but not strong or healed enpugh to be landing or walking. AND I stand near/over her to insure no mating. She is still too fragile for that (even though she is a big flirt). ~GrMaDuck~

BEAU

I think I upset "the apple cart" (balance) today when picked up Beau and wouldn't let him bite me. He got down from my lap peacefully on his own, but now he is a VERY grumpy drake. ~GrMaDuck~

Drakes are Great

We have beautiful boys (drakes).

I titled this Drakes are Great, because I swear when they puff up and sound off, they are singing out "Draaakees are Greaaat, Draaaaakes are Greeaaaaat,Draaaaakes are Greeaaaaat "
:>

This video is dedicated to our drakes, our beautiful boys. They haven't gotten as much video time lately, so we are making up for it today.

another Keelyn update

HD Video highlight Keelyn's leg movements

collage

 

a collage of our beautiful ducks

FAMILY FUN DAY 1

Family Fun Day for duckies
(This was supposed have been the first post)

Girlie Duckie pool time

VERY VERY Happy Girlie Duckies (The videos are even better.)
Our girlie duckies (Queenie-black-Cayuga, Missy-white-Pekin, Keelyn-multi-Welsh Harlequin) having a blast in the very full and just cleaned pool. (wish the video quality was better- but too cute not to share)

(part 2)

fun fun fun