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Disappointment
Sun 2-May-10
6:05 pm
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danast
Argyll, Scotland

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Oh I am so upset,  although if I was being honest I did know this could happen.  To put you in the picture I had a duck sitting on a nest of over 12 eggs and another just starting to build her nest up with 4 eggs ready to start.  Anyway when I went to the enclosure this morning all of the eggs have gone - over 16 eggs in one night!  I'm not sure what creature takes them, but it must have had a busy night.  I don't suspect anything too big or it would have taken the hens.  It may be rats, crows  or a weasel.  Any ideas?  Anyway I am really disappointed.  Khaki Campbells are notoriously bad at sitting on eggs, but this duck was so diligent.  I have kept looking at her today, but she doesn't seem in any way upset. Last year I had no ducklings and it looks as if this year is heading the same way.  Hey ho, that's the life of a poultry keeper.  ( not that I am in any way an expert ) There are excellent times and upsetting times.

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Sun 2-May-10
6:22 pm
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Toffeeapple
North Bucks

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Oh Danuta, that is so sad, I know how much you were looking forward to having ducklings. Big_Hug

I'll try that again!

Sun 2-May-10
7:14 pm
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danast
Argyll, Scotland

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Thanks TA.  Big_Hug

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Sun 2-May-10
7:34 pm
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Danny
Scarborough, England
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What a bummer, Danast. All the time and expectation. Still, I have heard reports that ducks are poor mums. I do not have any personal experience to relate that to.

But 16 eggs overnight is a bad whammy. Big_Hug

Never knowingly underfed

Sun 2-May-10
10:15 pm
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brightspark
Wilts

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Oh Danuta - I am so feeling your disappointment Heartbreak - we love our animals so much.

Overlooking a river, as we do, we often see the ducks with 12 ducklings, then 10, then 8, and then only six, and so on, it is so sad. 

If only we could put a wise head on the ducks - make your nest on an island in the river, then the only predators would be other birds. At least then there is a fighting chance.

With your ducks, I suppose it is difficult to secure the enclosure?

Thinking of you.

Big_Hug

My maths is 13 ............. that's just not right!

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Sun 2-May-10
10:32 pm
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danast
Argyll, Scotland

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Thanks Danny and BS. My maths is 13 too - spooky

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Mon 3-May-10
6:07 pm
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KateUK
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Oh crumbs- 16 eggs in a night- awful. It has to be more than one animal surely to take that many? Or one animal with two legs?

Kateuk makes things at http://www.etsy.com/shop/finkstuff and sometimes she does this too http://www54paintings.blogspot.com/ and also this http://finkstuff.weebly.com/

Mon 3-May-10
6:41 pm
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brightspark
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You know Kate, I had the same thought - any evidence Danuta, of the lost eggs?

In France, we had a red-legged partridge come into the garden and laid 12 eggs amongst some stones - I was thrilled, but in one night both she and the eggs simply disappeared. Not a sign of the eggs being broken, either .........

......... curioser and curioser ...........

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Mon 31-May-10
3:30 pm
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danast
Argyll, Scotland

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Duck eggs gone again,    Steam     so I am going to have to change tactics.  I might build a pen first and buy some white khaki campbell duck eggs on ebay and put the duck in and hope she accepts the eggs or I might have a chance of borrowing an incubator - that could be fun.  But I have no experience with using one.  Any advice would be gratefully received.  Thanks

I also have a hen ( the rogue one ) sitting on eggs out of the enclosure under a rhododendron bush so if she makes it that will be a miracle.  And I have a hen sitting in the henhouse itself, so hopefully I shall have some chicks .

Old teachers never die, they just lose their class

Mon 31-May-10
6:45 pm
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Toffeeapple
North Bucks

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Oh that's so sad to have it happen again.  Good luck with the new tactics,let us know how it goes won't you?

I'll try that again!

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