10 days old. I upgraded his water dish last night from a chick waterer to a little dish with higher sides so Donegan can dunk his nose better. I also started lessening the amount of water I put in his crumbles. He will be eating dry crumbles by Monday. As of yesterday I'm mixing his feed with unprocessed oatmeal to reduce the protien level in his feed. This will help slow the high growth rate domestic ducks are bred for and reduce the chances of him developing Angel Wing. (Ideally you should be looking for an 19% protein feed, no more. But I am no vet, so do your research :)
He got a bath upgrade, too!
(more detailed information on the first days of raising can be found in my blog's early posts... back when I had cheyenne)
Duck Print gif
How Old?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
He Loves It!
Donegan LOVES his new carrier! (see previous post for ordering info).
He settled right in after his bath to preen. You can tell he feels secure in it. Definitely happy with my choice to buy.
He settled right in after his bath to preen. You can tell he feels secure in it. Definitely happy with my choice to buy.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
New Duck Carrier!
I'm soooo excited about my new "Duck" carrier! Okay, so it's meant for dogs... but I bet Donegan will be more appreciative than a pom. ;)
When I had Cheyenne, she wanted to be with me... always. She was hard to carry, though, in my arms. This carrier is perfect. It has a dip in the side for Donegan's head to poke out. It's lined really well... nice and squishy... with a removable and washable insert that is water-resistant. It looks so much better than it did in the picture online. It has an old world map pattern on it. I LOVE it! And so will Donegan.
Click HERE to get your own. (ORDER A MEDIUM!)
When I had Cheyenne, she wanted to be with me... always. She was hard to carry, though, in my arms. This carrier is perfect. It has a dip in the side for Donegan's head to poke out. It's lined really well... nice and squishy... with a removable and washable insert that is water-resistant. It looks so much better than it did in the picture online. It has an old world map pattern on it. I LOVE it! And so will Donegan.
Click HERE to get your own. (ORDER A MEDIUM!)
Monday, January 23, 2012
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)
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)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Special Delivery
This painting of Cheyenne was at my door step last night. I absolutely love it. It means the world to me. It makes missing her hurt less. It's framed and mounted on my wall now. Thank you so much, Carmen. You are a good friend to me!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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Monday, January 16, 2012
Introducing: Donegan!
Had to go with an Irish name, of course!
I had the intention of getting a female Welsh Harlequin duck, but when we pulled up at Metzer Farms, a baby boy was in the process of hatching just then and there weren't any females. My options were either to go home empty handed after 6 hours of driving, wait for a female for two weeks to be delivered knowing it would have imprinted on ducks by then, or bring home the boy. Knowing males can be a bit more of a challenge, I still opted for the boy (which I originally wanted... they're gorgeous! Similar to a mallard) and off we went. Donegal spent the whole ride home in my pocket as happy as could be. It's early to really tell... but I chose a Welsh Harlequin based off of their said calm nature. So far that seems to hold true in comparison to other ducklings I've known. He is so laid back and happy. Not stressed in the least for any reason! I'm sooooooooo happy I was able to get him fresh from the egg. So fresh they had to clean him before handing him over. lol. I wasn't so fortunate with Cheyenne and even she turned out amazing.
Sorry to cut this short, but I really want to throw on the DVR, throw him in my pocket, and cuddle for the rest of the night. More pics to come!
I had the intention of getting a female Welsh Harlequin duck, but when we pulled up at Metzer Farms, a baby boy was in the process of hatching just then and there weren't any females. My options were either to go home empty handed after 6 hours of driving, wait for a female for two weeks to be delivered knowing it would have imprinted on ducks by then, or bring home the boy. Knowing males can be a bit more of a challenge, I still opted for the boy (which I originally wanted... they're gorgeous! Similar to a mallard) and off we went. Donegal spent the whole ride home in my pocket as happy as could be. It's early to really tell... but I chose a Welsh Harlequin based off of their said calm nature. So far that seems to hold true in comparison to other ducklings I've known. He is so laid back and happy. Not stressed in the least for any reason! I'm sooooooooo happy I was able to get him fresh from the egg. So fresh they had to clean him before handing him over. lol. I wasn't so fortunate with Cheyenne and even she turned out amazing.
Sorry to cut this short, but I really want to throw on the DVR, throw him in my pocket, and cuddle for the rest of the night. More pics to come!
P.S. I payed off Cheyenne's vet bill yesterday. I miss her dearly. But It comforts me knowing this this truly is the right time for a new baby. It's good to be MamaDuck again.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, October 21, 2011
Rest Peacefully, My Cheyenne.
As most of you know, seeing that my readers mostly consist of our poultry loving facebook friends, Cheyenne passed away a few days ago.
I sent her and Goonie to their outside pen. I noticed the grass was overgrown and made a metal note to cut it later. A day later Cheyenne wasn't acting like herself. She wouldn't tuck her head in her wing as she slept. She wasn't upbeat and excited as usual. She wasn't "talking" to me as she always did. I knew something was wrong. She then stopped eating and would only lay down between drinking excessive amounts of water. Her poop turned into a bright green pastel liquid.... almost fluorescent. I brought her out at one point. She wouldn't follow me. She walked painfully to my dark closet, laid down, and rested her beak on the floor. I brought her to my lap and she hung her head limp over my legs.
I had my husband come home early from work and immediately took her to an Avian veterinarian an hour away. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but thought maybe she had eaten something outside that was stuck in the grass... unseen by me. My suspicions were confirmed when I took her from her cage and found undigested grass she had spit up, which was woven with a piece of plastic bag. We payed a decent vet bill. She was hospitalized, examined and given xrays and radiographs at the hospital while we waited not so patiently at home for a phone call.
A few hours later the vet phoned to pick her up. The Xrays clearly showed mass in her stomach and lower intestinal tract. It actually looked like plastic bag. We were sent home with antibiotics, syringes, and liquid fiber to see if she passed anything over night. I was expected to report back the next morning with any results and if she hadn't passed anything, we were looking at surgery. My poor baby was wrapped up in a towel, with water leaking out her beak like a dripping faucet. I hoped it was the pain meds. But, it wasn't.
When we arrived home, I had her in my arms. I tried giving her a dose of fiber, which clearly upset her and caused her to pass out in my arms. I told her to come back to me, and she did. I placed her back in her cage. She began throwing up water. I knew then that she was badly impacted and not even water was making it to her digestive tract. I hoped for the best and went to bed three hours after our return from the vet. I laid in bed and cried for a few minutes until I heard her cage walls get banged around. I jumped out of bed and ran to her as fast as my legs would take me. My thoughts immediately told me "seizure".
And it was. I grabbed her up in my arms. Asked my husband for a moment alone. I showered her in my tears. Told her how much a loved her. How much joy she brought to me every day. And I told her to take flight with her friends Desi and Fritz, who recently went to Rainbow Bridge. Right after I said that I felt her soul leave her body. She was gone. She was gone forever. She died looking me straight in the eye. I was the last thing she saw and felt. I'm so thankful she left feeling the comfort of my love surround her. I have never cried so hard in my life as I did hovering over her that night.
Her radiographs were sent to an expert at UC Davis. He reviewed them the day after he death and said that even had she gone under surgery immediately, she probably wouldn't have made it through. I did everything I could.
It has been several days. I miss her so much. There is nothing easy about losing a companion with so much personality that was with you every waking and sleeping minute... a companion you expected to have with you for years to come. But I'm thankful I was able to say goodbye. Each day brings a bit more comfort. We've got a ways to go. Goonie also lost her "mom", as she imprinted on her and not I, but she's coming around, poor girl. I will look into getting her another friend, but not just yet. This was hard to write! Ugh.
A huge thanks to all who cared so much about her and for the support you gave. It helped a lot.
(please forgive any typos and bad writing.... I can't bring myself to proof read).
I sent her and Goonie to their outside pen. I noticed the grass was overgrown and made a metal note to cut it later. A day later Cheyenne wasn't acting like herself. She wouldn't tuck her head in her wing as she slept. She wasn't upbeat and excited as usual. She wasn't "talking" to me as she always did. I knew something was wrong. She then stopped eating and would only lay down between drinking excessive amounts of water. Her poop turned into a bright green pastel liquid.... almost fluorescent. I brought her out at one point. She wouldn't follow me. She walked painfully to my dark closet, laid down, and rested her beak on the floor. I brought her to my lap and she hung her head limp over my legs.
I had my husband come home early from work and immediately took her to an Avian veterinarian an hour away. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but thought maybe she had eaten something outside that was stuck in the grass... unseen by me. My suspicions were confirmed when I took her from her cage and found undigested grass she had spit up, which was woven with a piece of plastic bag. We payed a decent vet bill. She was hospitalized, examined and given xrays and radiographs at the hospital while we waited not so patiently at home for a phone call.
A few hours later the vet phoned to pick her up. The Xrays clearly showed mass in her stomach and lower intestinal tract. It actually looked like plastic bag. We were sent home with antibiotics, syringes, and liquid fiber to see if she passed anything over night. I was expected to report back the next morning with any results and if she hadn't passed anything, we were looking at surgery. My poor baby was wrapped up in a towel, with water leaking out her beak like a dripping faucet. I hoped it was the pain meds. But, it wasn't.
When we arrived home, I had her in my arms. I tried giving her a dose of fiber, which clearly upset her and caused her to pass out in my arms. I told her to come back to me, and she did. I placed her back in her cage. She began throwing up water. I knew then that she was badly impacted and not even water was making it to her digestive tract. I hoped for the best and went to bed three hours after our return from the vet. I laid in bed and cried for a few minutes until I heard her cage walls get banged around. I jumped out of bed and ran to her as fast as my legs would take me. My thoughts immediately told me "seizure".
And it was. I grabbed her up in my arms. Asked my husband for a moment alone. I showered her in my tears. Told her how much a loved her. How much joy she brought to me every day. And I told her to take flight with her friends Desi and Fritz, who recently went to Rainbow Bridge. Right after I said that I felt her soul leave her body. She was gone. She was gone forever. She died looking me straight in the eye. I was the last thing she saw and felt. I'm so thankful she left feeling the comfort of my love surround her. I have never cried so hard in my life as I did hovering over her that night.
Her radiographs were sent to an expert at UC Davis. He reviewed them the day after he death and said that even had she gone under surgery immediately, she probably wouldn't have made it through. I did everything I could.
It has been several days. I miss her so much. There is nothing easy about losing a companion with so much personality that was with you every waking and sleeping minute... a companion you expected to have with you for years to come. But I'm thankful I was able to say goodbye. Each day brings a bit more comfort. We've got a ways to go. Goonie also lost her "mom", as she imprinted on her and not I, but she's coming around, poor girl. I will look into getting her another friend, but not just yet. This was hard to write! Ugh.
A huge thanks to all who cared so much about her and for the support you gave. It helped a lot.
(please forgive any typos and bad writing.... I can't bring myself to proof read).
Sunday, September 4, 2011
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