Dotty outside

For the first time since her operation 2½ weeks ago I was able to put Dotty into a small enclosure outside, the weather had just been too bad for that before.  After initial protests at being picked up she really seemed to enjoy her afternoon out, once I could even hear her quacking in response to the others.

 

The area around her eyes worries me though, I suppose the wires around her left leg make it awkward for her to preen.  In spite of dipping her head under to wash her eyes every time I change her drinking water it looks bad under her eyes on both sides.  Before shutting her in at night I put some antiseptic cream on the affected areas and hope matters improve if she can spend more time outside.

The rest of the group is not always together now, I often see them in separate little knots.

A few days ago I even saw a fight between Bless and Mocca, these fights between the girls normally only take place in autumn .... maybe it was the autumnal weather .....?

Something else has been giving me a laugh recently.  The whole group, well, mainly the girls led on by Bless, have realized that I usually have some breakfast food left in the pot when I come back from seeing to Captain and his two who are always last in the round, and I always add it to the bowl outside the conservatory which happens to be their favourite bowl, one that they always storm to after hurrying through the food in their own bowls.
So now the whole mob follow me when I set off to the big pond, wait outside the fence until I return, follow me eagerly again until I empty the leftovers into their favourite bowl and then dive in.  Trouble is they now follow me anytime they see me with a container in my hands, I feel like the rat catcher of Hamlin - only with better intentions!

The "twins" Dash and Vera at the favourite bowl.
Dash doesn't limp at all now, she's been fine for a week or more.