Duck update

[luzula]

Our flock of twelve ducks now number thirteen and occasionally fourteen. Duck #13 is the neighbours' sole surviving duck after the others were taken by a fox (probably). He was keeping them outside. Ours are in a polytunnel inside an enclosure, but I think a determined fox could still get inside. Augh, I hope they survive the winter. Duck #13 is white and looks a lot like our Elsa, but smaller and with a more orange beak; we call her Lill-Elsa (Little Elsa). She has seamlessly merged with the flock.

The occasional #14 is a female wild mallard who seems to be considering the advantages of domestication: free food, water, and shelter! But she comes and goes. One might think our ducks would correspondingly be hearing the call of the wild from her, but no. They like their comforts now. The snow is thawing and I thought I'd make them happy by breaking up the ice in the small pond for them, but when I herded them outside to see it, they just stood there and looked at me like I was committing animal abuse, and hurried back to the polytunnel as soon as I got out of the way. Sigh.

As for me, I am too busy and am looking forward to things calming down a little soon. At least I hope they will.

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Your ducks sound very sensible.

[luzula]

They were happily bathing in sub-zero temperatures in the beginning of winter, so I don't understand why they don't want to now! But I respect their choice.

[badly_knitted]

Maybe they're just tired of all the cold by now and want to wait until it's warmer.

[nineveh_uk]

Very understandable of them if so.

[luzula]

In fact they have gone out now and are happily splashing in the pond! \o/ It is now +5 degrees Celsius, so I guess that's what they were waiting for. I keep looking out the window at them and smiling.

[nineveh_uk]

Clearly they have a threshold temperature requirement for February bathing that has now been met! Although with crosscountry skiing in Falun to watch (on tv) this weekend, I am not entirely thrilled by the rising temps.

[sanguinity]

Ponds freeze for a REASON and that REASON is so that ducks don't get hypothermia!! (Say your ducks, before hurrying back to the windless warm.)

There are many advantages to domestication! However, there can also be some grave disadvantages, too. *nods wisely in mallard*

[luzula]

They were happily bathing in sub-zero temperatures in the beginning of winter, so I don't understand why they don't want to now! But I respect their choice.

We have so far not managed to bring ourselves to subject our ducks to the grave disadvantages of domestication (i e eating them).

[sanguinity]

Do you eat eggs? That also is a disadvantage of domestication (although not as grave as the other)...

[luzula]

We do eat eggs, and of course it's a strain on the domesticated ducks to lay more of them. The males don't need to, of course, but in general they then run a greater risk of being eaten...

[mergatrude]

Ducks are not into the sauna thing, probably. *g*

I have all my fingers crossed for them, and not the sneaky foxes.

[luzula]

Thank you, they appreciate your good wishes!

Duckdate!

[jesse_the_k]

I'm so glad the open arms of your collective include wander ducks.

Re: Duckdate!

[luzula]

Both of them are quite welcome! But sadly, none of the ducks want to cuddle, unlike the domesticated animal in your icon.

[chestnut_pod]

Life is hard out there for a wild mallard! Domestic x wild mallard hybrids can have some wild feather patterning.

[luzula]

It has been uncommonly cold for southern Sweden, and I imagine life has been hard for mallards!

Wild patterns as in, patterns like wild mallards? Or as in, those patterns are wild?

[chestnut_pod]

Wild! Fancy-pants!

[china_shop]

I really enjoy your duck updates. :D

[luzula]

Glad to hear it! : D

[lyr]

Loving the duck updates! I am now imagining the stories Lill-Elsa is telling the others about her experiences. You know as the sole survivor she's got some. That probably helps make the comfort of the tunnel more attractive.

[luzula]

As a completely white duck and so very visible, I'm wondering how she was the one to escape the fox! Yes, she must have stories to tell. Oh, but wait--in the snow she was actually camouflaged...

[osprey_archer]

Love the duck updates. Also love it when animals make it VERY CLEAR that they don't feel like doing the thing you thought they might like to do.

[luzula]

Yes, the ducks have a will of their own! Alas for them, I am not always going to let them exercise it: however much they want, they will not be allowed to eat the onions and kale.

[seascribble]

I love this duck considering the pros and cons of domestication :D I hope he rest of the winter goes well for them (and the humans)

[luzula]

We will see what decision she comes to! And thanks, I hope so too.

[dolorosa_12]

Incredible! I love the additions to your flock of ducks!

[luzula]

Now that the snow is gone, the wild mallard is no more to be seen! I think it was just some opportunistic feeding while conditions were hard. Lill-Elsa is solidly part of the flock, though perhaps the neighbor will eventually want her back if he gets more ducks.