Over the weekend the ducks turned two weeks old.  Mallards are much different from the Pekin ducks we had last year.  First of all, they are smaller, so we are a little paranoid to leave them alone out in the yard alone (hawks).  Secondly, they are a little more skittish, which we like to see for their future survival.  They are still really funny to watch...like the day they discovered airplanes.  Every time one would go by they would look up at it.  My favorite thing about a duck is they way the look up...they cock their head to the side so they can see up.  It is very comical and cute, check it out the next time  you feed or visit ducks! 

People wonder how we can tell the ducks apart, but, it is really quite easy.  First of all, they pair off in different sizes.  The first two born are significantly bigger.  Audrey’s duck, Triscuit, is very calm and regal, and she has a little yellow spot on the back of her neck.  Malena’s duck, Oyster, has more of a powdery colour to her back and is the bully.  She is the only one who really picks on Lil Rounds.  Cade’s duck, Ritz Bitz, is smaller, but has the biggest mouth...hmmmm...sounds familiar.  Spencer’s duck is Lil’ Rounds, and she has deformity in her knee joints...clearly she is easy to pick out.  My duck, actually looks exactly like Cade’s duck, but her tail feathers are very curly—and, since I took her out by divine intervention—all I have to go over and say is “Where’s Mama’s girl?” and she cocks that head to the side and peeps. 

Ducks are very fun to raise and very easy.  If you have a plan to relocate them when they get big it is a great project for kids to raise with a short term commitment on time and care.  Someday I hope to get a place set up in our yard so we can actually keep some ducks for eggs.  Supposedly, the Pekin duck eggs have more cholesterol in them, but are very flavorful especially in baking.

Malena’s duck

Audrey’s duck

Cade’s duck

Mom’s duck

Lil’  Rounds

Spencer’s

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