I posted awhile back about Dorthy hatching a duckling. She raised the duckling and chick together like there wasn't a difference. Since the duckling couldn't scratch the ground for bugs Dorthy would scratch and call her little "chick" to come eat. She also taught her real chick to scratch for its sibling. They didn't seem to mind the web feet or the big fat bill. They just knew the duckling was part of their little family. Last month Dorthy decided it was time for her to go back to the hen house and let her young ones make it on their own. The duckling became protective of its sister. If you happened to walk near the chick the duckling ran at you like a attack dog! The chick would still scratch the ground for the ducklings bugs. I tried to put the duckling in with the other ducks but it freaked Dorthy, the chick and the duckling. I decided the duckling would never feel like a duck and it was okay to live like a chicken. Since the chick and duckling seemed to be so good together I had to come up with names that went well with the other. So we now have Quakers and Cheese! They are inseparable and watch out for each other . Quackers will even take on the big hens or rooster if they mess with his momma. Dorthy. Just be careful if you come to visit. You don't want to be attacked by the Quackers for messing with the Cheese.
26 comments:
Too funny!
Hi Peggy,
What a cute story ,Love the names.:o)
Hope you're having a great day.
Drying and canning apples here.
Have a great wk.end.
Blessins',Lib
That is adorable. One of those instances where maybe we humans could take lessons from the animals more often.
Hello Peg
Nice post about 'friends' - does the duck seek out water to swim?
Take care
Cathy
Oh Peggy, only you could have such wonderful and "odd" little family. It just seems natural to me that this happen on your homestead. Your names are always so cute and seem to fit. Please keep us posted of your adventure with these two wonderful little friends.
Hugs,
Connie
Oh what fun you must have with all of your animals. I love their friendship and the names.
Hi Peggy. I'm catching up on reading your posts! I loved reading this!! Great names for these two!! Leave it up to you to come up with great names!!
I am glad they have bonded so well.
How sweet this is!! You learn so much when you are around animals, don't you Peggy? What a life...
What a cute couple...very happy to hear the news of your daughter.
Hi Peggy...This was such a fun story to read...I hope alot of others come by to enjoy it... You have an uncanny ability to come up with perfect names for your little brood...lol ;-) Bo
(((((((((((Quackers n Cheese)))))))))))))
Our 3 duck women love the chickens and now even look after the newer Aracuana chicks. The hens have finally outgrown them but still follow them and run to them if there's any trouble :)
Continued love strength and healing for ((((((((((Melody)))))))))))))
I had heard that of all the "poultry" animals, hens make the best mothers. what a beautiful story!
These two will bring you lots of pleasure, with their unique behaviour, over the years.
Perfect names! I agree with what someone above said about humans taking this lesson from your critters.
have a great weekend.
I've heard about hens having fits when their duckling babies take to the water. Sounds like that won't be a problem since Quackers thinks he's a chicken. Your names reminded me of a couple of my ducks years ago - Smuckers and Ziegfield.
Such a sweet story , love the names you gave them.
~ Autumn Blessings ~
JoyceAnn
What a wonderful story!!
Bless their little hearts!
That is the most precious thing! Nature is amazing and how creatures can/do adapt.
How cute!! Now I know what would happen if I tried to use the silkies hatch the duck eggs.... I will probably just let the ducks hatch their own anyways!!
Great story - thanks so much for sharing it! :)
Terri
Just adore this story!!
Gday Peggy, sorry its been so long snce my last visit, It seems theres not enough hrs in the day lately now Bowling season is upon me..
I love comming here to see what your animals are getting up too.. Ohh I love Quackers and cheese..
I promise to start being one of your regulars again,Take great care... Jen
Hi Peggy,
Your story reminded me of my story of a duck and chicken.
Years ago when my boys were small, we had a mallard duck that was sitting and something ate all her eggs. She was determined to sit and saw a few chicken eggs in a nest on the ground and sat on them. It seems like about 3 hatched and 1 biddie survived. The duck stay out of the pond(which normally the mallard returned to the pond with her baby ducks) and somehow raised the little chicken. Then the duck decided after about 6 weeks to return to the pond. The little chicken panic and ran around and around the pond and even jumped in a time or two.It was hard to watch.
Then the young hen went back to the barn where the other chickens were, but never did believe she was a chicken.
The duck knew her baby was not a duck but did the best she could to raise it anyway.
I enjoy your story and pictures.
This story made me smile!
What a sweet story. My two girls are close like that. Of course, they don't eat bugs (I don't think).
Peggy that is a fantastic story and I enjoyed very much reading it.
I am even more happy now to have broadband and be able to see you photos all of them in a flash!!! yippee for me.
see you again soon
Lee-ann
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