Monday, 4th July 2011

I'm finding it very difficult to be writing this, but one of our little ducklings died yesterday.  It was a horrible accident which, in afterthought, could and should have been avoided, it has really knocked us for six.  I was just setting their box down again under the lamp after their morning's exercise in the garden and a container slid towards the back of the drawer and the little thing got squashed against the back with some others.  It's right little leg had got caught awkwardly and it couldn't stand up.  I was sure it was going to be alright again any minute, I massaged its little body and breathed into its beak and it lifted its wings a couple of times, but then it died in my hands.  There were no injuries, I think the shock must have killed it.
What a horrible thing to happen, we were devastated.


It was the tenth duckling out of the eggs, the only one with striped feet, this one:
  

Here it is in company with others, right in front.

We realize that it doesn't help any mourning over the loss of this little one, we have to concern ourselves with the welfare of the other 10.

The little mites shout loudly for food before 6 sometimes, as soon as they hear me in the kitchen.  And they soon call for more after just a short sleep.  It's not just ground up grains they're after, they want cucumber, tomato, banana, parsley and other nice things to peck at.  Come half past 9 to 10 they want to run, they want OUT!  Running around in the sunlounge is not enough any more, there's no grass, no clover and no insects to chase.

So John has mackled up a little covered run for them, below the small greenhouse.

It was a very warm and sunny day, the heat lamp over the box only had to be switched on late in the afternoon.  The little ones were out half the day and were content because they had room to move and occupation with it.

Tomorrow a small shed [4x6] will be delivered, the new home for them.  At 2 weeks old there's not enough room to move or to be occupied for long in their two drawers.  Also, the weather is said to be taking a turn for the worse, and we need to protect them from the rain.