February 19, 2025

Yesterday's Surprise

Yesterday afternoon I found some grubs in the garden and took them to the chickens. As I walked up to the chicken yard gate, I saw this . . . 

Muscovy duck with 11 ducklings

Dan said she was setting but we thought it was too cold to hatch eggs. Wrong!

Muscovy ducklings swimming in a water dish with Mama duck watching.

She's got 11 of them. Dan made a quick trip to the feed store for duckling feed and I got them a pan of water to swim in. It's amazing how they know exactly what to do with water!


We're not exactly sure when they hatched because mamas tend to be very secretive about hatching eggs. And when you go into the coop, the babies immediately get quiet so you have to catch them unawares. 

This is the first time we've had anything hatch this early in the year. It was mild yesterday, but it's getting cold again. We sure hope they all make it.

20 comments:

Michelle said...

What a sweet surprise!

Leigh said...

Michelle, I agree! And such an assortment of colors.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Oh how precious. It's a brisk 0°F here today. Too cold for anything to happen, ha ha!

Anonymous said...

Just DARLING and an encouraging reminder that there is a lot of 'normal' to be had. All that's hatching here are plans to get through our bitter weather we're stuck in right now. Take care… Kris in Ohio

Anonymous said...

How cute! Hope Mama can keep them all warm through the cold. RHill, TX

Cederq said...

Barnyard animals still can surprise you! I have had pleasant surprises as you have. Do you set up a infrared light or other low heat in your coop? When I was down in LA I kept a heater on low in the winter to keep my chickens warm and any hatch-lings.

Ed said...

I'm surprised they were kept warm enough. That is one dedicated mama duck!

Leigh said...

Kristina, that's not anybody's kind of weather! We've got snow flurries today, but no accumulation.

Leigh said...

Kris, that's a good kind of hatching!

Leigh said...

RHill, well, she got them hatched!

Leigh said...

Kevin, we use a heat lamp for purchased chicks, but otherwise don't heat the coop. Her chosen nest is underneath the nest boxes, which is relatively protected, but she's got them outside now (!!)

Leigh said...

Ed, we thought the same thing. I always thought broodiness was related to the amount of daylight, but apparently not

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Aww! That is a well needed palate cleanser.

Leigh said...

TB, babies always cheer things up. :)

Marisa Reis said...

They are so beautiful, what a nice surprise.

Leigh said...

Marisa, they are adorable and they are growing so fast!

Retired Knitter said...

What a wonderful post. I so so so LOVED the video. Is there any way you can raise the temp in their nesting area to give all those little lovelies a chance?? Please post more videos of their progress. It was a sweet lovely thing to watch in a world that has so little sweet or lovey things lately.

Leigh said...

RT, we talked about that, i.e. enough warmth for them. It's hard to do much because it's all subject to Mama Duck's approval. She has a bedtime spot picked out for them so Dan built up a little half-circle of extra straw around it so they're protected from drafts. Other than that, it's amazing how much body heat poultry produces in the coop at night.

Goatldi said...

Congratulations on the Quackers!!

Leigh said...

Goatldi, thanks! (Good to hear from you :)