Week Six Update

Hooray for less poop! Donegan's feathers are coming in nicely, so he is poopin less. lol Getting to be quite the handsome fellow, though I do prefer the dark green plumage. Not an ounce of green shimmer on his head yet! Monday we're taking him to disneyland. No, not in the park, as much as I wish I could :D As I've said before, having a pet duck is a huge commitment and they just don't thrive like fish or dogs if you leave them for the weekend. This is no joke :) You want a companion... you got one! I'm waiting for him to grow a bit more before I start sewing more diapers. I adjusted the pattern a bit and added an adjustable strap down the back and I finally found my poly-cotton waterproof duck canvas. Yes, it's called duck canvas. Hooray for irony!
I'm doubling the size of his cage when we get home from Disneyland. Other than that, nothing new in regards to him.
As for me, though, I have a tattoo appointment set for March 16th. My son has Autism and I, myself, have Aspergers. We spend a lot of time beating the odds and stereotypes, and spreading awareness. So I really wanted an Autism awareness tattoo because it is such a big part of our lives (and we couldn't be happier, let me tell you). But I want a duck tattoo, too :( DING DING DING! Mesh them together! So I have this pic on my facebook profile, but I think the ducks are hideous.

So I drew my own. The colors will be in more detail and the words made to look like grass, but here it is. I'm putting it on the inside of my forearm. The man who is going to do my tattoo told me he has a granddaughter with Autism. It makes it that much better to have someone do it that has a true understanding.

And I leave you with more six week old pics of Donegan (click to enlarge)

Week 5 Update

Nothing new to report, really, other than Donegan went outside for his first time. Waiting for that weather to warm up! It's a disadvantage raising a duckling in the winter. Still no quacks!
We also went on a weekend trip with him. Four hour drive one way to my home town. Donegan did great... very quiet boy... and my mom let him romp around the house in his diaper. His diaper fell off at one point (made some adjustments and the pattern is officially done). I tried to grab him off my lap and instead he ran up my chest and sat on my shoulder. Yup... he immediately took a nice, big, runny, warm poop on my chest. At least my family got a kick out of it. haha! He was very good in the car, too. He will be going to a hotel near Disneyland with us next month :)

I went shopping for fabric. Not a whole lot of options, so I bought him camouflage print so the hunters can't see him. (Knee slapper!) I also got him another shamrock pattern... one that also has beer mugs. I'm a sucker for Ireland. Most excited, though, about the Autism Awareness puzzle piece fabric I ordered :) Here's a few week 5 pics:
(click to enlarge)

Week Four Update: Donegan

As you can see, Donegan is getting his feathers in fast. Yay! He has more white than I expected, but recently read that their dark green plumage on their heads is only within certain times of year :) His feathers are already lookin pretty.... even if he IS in the awkward phase. His beak has lightened up a lot, as well. He just keeps getting more and more cuddly. He now hops up into my arms like he's a baby and falls asleep with his beak stuffed under my forearm. Its so cute. He has grown out of his training diapers that I ordered from The Goose's Mother (link to the right), so I busted out my sewing machine. I don't sew. Never have. I put together this diaper harness, but it was still too small. Yesterday I gave diaper sewing an official go and it actually worked out (post to follow). He's slowwwwly getting his quack. I've heard a few "honks" here and there. Looking forward to having a quieter male :D He's not much into playing.... nowhere near as much as Cheyenne was. He's more interested in relaxing on my lap or in my arms, which is fine with me. Welsh Harlequins are a different breed! (not sure if that pun was intended???) Still showing signs of angel wing. I'm going to call the avian vet and get the "OK" to SLIGHTLY cut the protein in his feed with whole cleaned oats. His nails are sharp sharp right now.... similar to a puppy's teeth, they will become more dull over time... but for now my legs are covered in scratches. Serves me right for handling him in shorts. I never learn. One of the things Cheyenne left me with when she passed were plenty of scars on my arms and legs. I don't mind them now. Makes me smile when I look at them. She definitely left her mark on me! (okay, THAT pun was intended).

(click on pic to make larger)

Week 3 Donegan Update

Donegan keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. Welsh's are definitely my number one breed to recommend. He got a bath upgrade and needs one again already! He's getting big. He's convinced he still fits perfectly on my shoulder and in my hand. lol. He also started wearing the next size up in training diapers. My eyes could be playing tricks, but it seems as though his walk is a bit off... maybe too pigeon toed. I'm going to look into it, but regardless it doesn't seem to bug him. He's a poopin machine! SURPRISE! Looking forward to less poop after his feathers are in. They are on their way... looking less like feathers and more like spikes. Gotta love that awkward stage. He's still quite photogenic, but we will see if that still stands next week!! :D His beak is slowly getting lighter. Welsh Harlequin males have a dark beak when they hatch, which lightens and turns yellow over time. The femals are born with a light beak that darkens with age. This is why most breeders consider welshs the easiest to sex at hatching. I did a supervised cat/duck meet n greet with donegan in his cage. YUP... the cats were terrified of him. lol I'll be looking for a medium there. I really need to get some orders in for juvenile and adult diaper harnesses, but it's hard to guess the size =/ We removed the heat lamp, but have the heat turned up in the house. Other than that and upgrading the size of his food and water dishes, nothing new :)

Donegan Update: One Week Old

So far Donegan is proving to be one amazing little duck. I'm in awe at his friendly, confident nature. He is such a JOY to have in my life. I really cannot say enough. Welsh Harlequins are the way to go, at least from Metzer Farm's flock.
Today he met my 5 year old son for the first time. I expected Donegan to be shy, but soon as my son sat down, Donegan made a bee-line for my son's lap and immediately laid down for cuddle time. Not long after that they were playing together. Unbelievable. Cheyenne, as amazing as she was, was never this confident... and she also didn't "love" my hands as Donegan does. He loves to be picked up. I love him so much.

He's growing fast, as ducks do. Tonight I will move the heat lamp a bit farther from the cage.... little by little every night so that by the end of the week he is acclimated to the temperature in our home (which is warmer than usual to keep him comfy in the dead of winter).
(click pics to enlarge)