Ducks, ducks, and more ducks!

We've been meaning to post an update on our ducks for a while, and given the latest events, it seems we could use a pick-me-up.  Our ducklings are about 7 weeks old now, and they are loving life!  Every morning we put them from the coop to the pond, and they have really gotten a handle on that transition.  The transition from the pond back to the coop is less smooth, but it is WAY easier than when we first started herding them.  Watch and enjoy (it seriously never gets old and makes us chuckle every time)!

Now that the ducks are all a bit older, we can pretty safely sex them by the sound of their voices (the females quack, the males make a scratchy throat noise).  Unfortunately for us, it looks like we have 4 drakes (males) and 1 hen (female).  I only say unfortunately because with this ratio, the males are likely to fight over the sole female.  Her name is Fern, by the way.  In this situation, many people would cull or find new homes for their drakes.  Given that we're vegetarians, culling isn't in the cards, and we weren't ready to get rid of ducks just yet.  So naturally, we ordered 3 more female ducks a few weeks ago, and they were due to arrive this week. We weren't able to use a local source for this since we wanted to make sure we got females, and most people selling ducks locally just do straight run.  With our luck, we'd end up with a bunch more drakes!

Just two days after losing our chickens, we got the always joyful call from the post office.  This is what we picked up this morning. :)

Just arrived, and are ready to move into their new home.

These ladies certainly are tiny...and tired!  Traveling cross-country when you're a day old is exhausting.

New babies! The one on the left is planning her escape.

...still planning her escape...

New duckling, meet grass.  It was really scary -- I had to snap this at warp speed.  Note the heel of my Chaco for scale.

Heading back inside via my hoodie pocket. :)