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.

[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*

[mergatrude]

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

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

Duckdate!

[jesse_the_k]

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

[chestnut_pod]

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

[china_shop]

I really enjoy your duck updates. :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.

[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.