BABY DUCKS FIRST FLIGHT

UPDATE: DEC 5, 2023

George made 'em, Marilyn hatched 'em and today one of them briefly walked on air. Della Mannix became airborne a couple of times. We did not get it on video but we both saw it. She is lighter weight than the others in her flock so she was literally lifting off as she flapped around the play area. 

DELLA flew at 10 weeks and one day.

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As we get closer to seeing our new baby ducks have their first flight, we went back to double check when Lucky and Bill flew the first time.

Lucky and Bill were born April 1, 2023, and flew on June 11, 2023 (actually Bill flew first...).  That's 10 weeks and 1 day.

So.......

George's babies should be flying soon - in mere days.

And Billie's babies (raised by Marilyn) should be flying by December 4, 2023.

Awwwwwww!

GEORGE'S BABY DUCKS ENJOYING THE RAIN DRAIN SPOUT

Every day the baby ducks - Lone, Tonto, Scout, and Silver - do something new and cute.  Today, it was the game of drinking the stream of water as it poured out of the drain spout :D

 

GEORGE'S BABY DUCKS, BORN SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

This morning Mary discovered that George experienced a miracle last night, at least 10 little baby Muscovy ducks were born. George is a wild Muscovy female duck (we named her George before we knew it was Ms. Duck).

Looking at freshly born Muscovy baby ducks, less than 12 hours old

Poor Billy, George has evicted Bill (also female) from the house. It appears, she who hatches first, owns the house. We are watching the drama unfold on a pair of wireless cameras. Billy has been sitting on her eggs almost as long as George. 

George with her baby ducklings (Goldie on the right with her back to the camera)

It has been a couple of hours since we first saw them. George let them fool around a little in their family room then she gathered them all back into the nest underneath her.

The above video was looking in the front door when we first discovered them this morning. 

They grow up so fast, I'm going to try to get more pictures and videos this time around. 

I shot this video off our wireless cameras' screen.

BTW Marilyn one of our favorite Silkie hens is sitting on three of Billy's eggs. She has been on them for almost a week and Billy had been sitting on them. It will be amazing if Marilyn hatches the baby ducks, she is a great foster mom.

More Day 1 Videos

Can't Get Enough of These Baby Ducks

BABY DUCKS AT START OF THIRD DAY OF LIFE

The baby ducks look so yellow against the bright green grass. They are running around like crazy, having a good time exploring the world. Yesterday mom had them out for 1.5 hours in the morning then called them back into their house for the rest of the day. In the evening about half an hour before bed time George (aka Mom) brought them out for one more little period of play before calling them all back into the house.

BABY DUCKS: DAY 4

FIRST SWIM: Watch them line up by the pool, so excited

Our first duck eggs were hatched by a chicken so they had little interest in swimming until they were 13-14 weeks old and already flying, then they found the big pond. This batch of little ducks, raised by a duck (George), are in their miniature pond on their 4th day of life.

BABY DUCKS: DAY 5

This video shows a few of the other little birds roaming around our poultry colony

Feeding the peafowl noodles, not baby ducks but still cute, that is last years baby P-boy eating them right out of the jar (from my hand).

This video shows Marilyn, the Queen of P2, who is sitting on seven baby duck eggs. Later in the day three of the eggs hatched. 

Marilyn hatching baby ducks (Midnight and Sunshine showing :-)

More Marilyn and her baby ducks (which were laid and abandoned by Billy)

This is the second time Marilyn has hatched eggs laid by another bird. She has never hatched any of her own eggs. It does not matter who made them, she loves them like they are hers.

Georges Baby Ducks: Day 6

George, taking her 11 baby ducks for a walk-about

MEET PAUL DRAKE

This is the guy who made all these baby ducks happen, he's such a handsome boy

FIVE MORE SPECKLED SUSSEX HENS COME TO P2

JUNE 10, 2023...... Not More Chickens...... it's illegal .......... no it's not LOL

Last Saturday we went on a rescue mission. If you've been reading along with us you know that we love Speckled Sussex hens. We previously bought five from "My Pet Chicken" and they've been a real joy, mellow, cute, not flighty, gregarious and so much more. 

OUR NEW GATOR, 2023 MODEL, HIS NAME IS "LOAFER", WE HOPE HE LEAVES SOON!

WELCOME TO GATOR COUNTRY

Our new alligator visitor showed himself to us yesterday, June 14th, 2023. There is no mistaking that snout-profile gliding across the surface of our pond. Once your eyes know what to look for he is easy to spot. 

Watch Out, we gotta gator!

PUNKY PRIMAL YELL

 

 

 

SNEETCH GRABBING

  Once in a while you need to grab a sneetch and remove it from the chicken houses...   

MUSCOVY DUCKS BY GEORGE, 2023

 GEORGE (GEORGINA)

This is the year of wild Muscovy water fowl here at P2. Our Muscovy friend, Ducky, tried (a couple of months ago) to have a nest but it got ruined by raccoons. Mary found two eggs left and we hatched those (Lucky and Bill) who are doing great, we anticipate them flying away and being wild. 

While our Muscovy friend, Ducky, is busy incubating her eggs in one of our chicken coops, another wild Muscovy named "Georgina" (George for short) has taken over a second chicken coop where she is laying eggs.

May 9th, 2023, six Muscovy eggs by Georgina

FOGGY AND LEGGY, RESCUED TO P2

These two 7-week-old Leghorn (pronounced; "leg-urn") hens moved to the intake area of P2 today, May 6, 2023. They've spent their lives in a steel mesh cage with zero love but now all that has changed, they're in Chicken Paradise now ;-)

"FOGGY" AND "LEGGY" DEBUT AT P2

WELCOME TO P2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARILYN AND FLOCK 2

 TWO YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AND FUN

When we bought Flock 1 the previous month, 2-years ago, we never knew how much fun and how much our lives would be impacted by these little birds.

Wings of Love, keeping three little chicks warm

Creamsicle, Our Handsome New Rooster

 

Creamsicle is hatched from an egg laid by Miata or Corvette, with Punky the father.  So he's part standard chicken, part bantam silkie.  Creamsicle's feathers are the softest feathers I've EVER felt on one of our chickens.  He's sweet, gentle, curious, and just nice to be around.  Along with Mr. Patches and Misty, he was born on January 9th this year, and raised by two Silkie mothers (Big Pom and Walnut).

Now, Creamsicle is one of the family.

BABY WILD MUSCOVY DUCKS HATCHED FROM EGGS WE FOUND IN THE YARD

Our Muscovy friend, Ducky (check those yellow feet) made the two eggs Sky hatched

Chicken (and Duck :-) Birthdays

With the birth of Faith, Hope, and Love, it seems the right time to update all of our chicken birthdays.  

 

We have 41 71 81 chickens.... and we love every one.

 

Update!  Uh Oh 14 more chickens arrived today at the West Melbourne USPS Post Office - the total is now 55 :D 

Update!  2 Muscovy Ducks (Ducky's children) hatched on April 1, 2023.  Sooooooooo cute!  Sky has two unusual children.

Update 5-6-2023:  Got 2 Leghorn females at Funky Chicken Farm :D.  5-20-2023 Got 4 more Leghorn females.  6-3-2023 Got 5 more Speckled Sussex females.

Update 5-15-2024:  Just got back from West Melbourne USPS Post Office with 10 (ordered 8 lol) bantam chickens :D

Faith, Hope and Love born March 2023

CHICKEN BIRTHDAYS

1.  Raven 3/1/2021

2. Blackie 3/1/2021

3.  Duchess / Granny 3/1/2021

4.  Lucy 3/1/2021

5.  Phyliss 3/1/2021

6. Orangey 3/1/2021

7.  Frizzle 3/1/2021

8.   Yoyo 4/4/2021

9.  Minky 1 4/4/2021

10.  Minky 2  4/4/2021

11.  Minky 3   4/4/2021

12.  Buzzy Black 4/4/2021

13.  Buzzy Brown 4/4/2021

14.  Punky 4/4/2021

15.  Dusty 4/4/2021

16.  Marilyn 4/4/2021

17.  Natasha 8/29/2021

18.  Svetlana 8/29/2021

19.  Bunny 8/29/2021

20.  Candy 8/29/2021

21.  Walnut 6/4/2022

22.  Big Pom Mom 6/4/2022

23.  Sunny 6/4/2022

24.  Sky 6/4/2022

25.  Minty 6/4/2022

26.  Boo 6/4/2022

27.  Miata 6/1/2021 (approximately) 

28.  Corvette 6/1/2021 (approximately)

29  Henny Penny 6/1/2021 (approximately)

30.  Raptor 1 (Iris) 2/15/2022 (approximately)

31.  Raptor 2 (Sparkle) 2/15/2022 (approximately)

32.  Raptor 3 (Angel) 2/15/2022 (approximately)

33.  Mr. Cream / Creamsicle 1/9/2023

34.  Mr. Patches 1/9/2023

35.  Misty 1/9/2023

36.  Pierre Daisy Stealth 3/10/2023

37.  Camille Camo Midnight 3/11/2023

38.  Elvis Faith 3/19/2023

39.  Hope 3/19/2023

40.  Love 3/20/2023 

41.  Specky 3/26/2023

42.  Becky 3/26/2023

43.  Whitey 3/26/2023

44.  Froggy 3/26/2023

45.  Xena 3/26/2023

46.  Buff Brahma Bantam 1 3/26/2023 

47.  Buff Brahma Bantam 2 3/26/2023

48.  Buff Brahma Bantam 3 3/26/2023

49.  Buff Brahma Bantam 4 3/26/2023

50.  Buff Brahma Bantam 5 3/26/2023

51.  Buff Brahma Bantam 6 3/26/2023

52.  Buff Brahma Bantam 7 3/26/2023

53.  Buff Brahma Bantam 8 3/26/2023

54.  Buff Brahma Bantam 9 3/26/2023

55. Foggy (with Orangey) 3/19/2023

56. Leggy (with Orangey) 3/19/2023 

57. Leghorn female 1 (Cathy - with Elvis) 3/19/2023

58. Leghorn female 2 (with Mr. Cream) 3/19/2023

59. Leghorn female 3 (with Mr. Cream) 3/19/2023

60. Leghorn female 4 (with Mr. Cream) 3/19/2023

61. Speckled Sussex female (Suzie - with Dusty) 1 4/11/2023 

62. Speckled Sussex female (Suzie) 2 4/11/2023 

63. Speckled Sussex female (Suzie) 3 4/11/2023 

64. Speckled Sussex female (Suzie) 4 4/11/2023 

65. Speckled Sussex female (Suzie - Patience)  4/11/2023  

66, Leghorn female 1 (Castle 1)      5/1/2023

67. Leghorn female 2 (Castle 1)      5/1/2023

68. Leghorn female 3 (Castle 1)      5/1/2023

69. Leghorn female 4      5/1/2023

70. Leghorn female 5      5/1/2023

71. Miracle 2/8/2024 (aka Baby Peep)

72. New Minky 1   5/13/2024

73. New Minky 2   5/13/2024

74. New Minky 3   5/13/2024

75. New Minky 4   5/13/2024

76. New Minky 5   5/13/2024

77. New Minky 6   5/13/2024

78. Bantam Barred Rock Female   5/13/2024

79. Bantam Dominique Female   5/13/2024

80. Bantam Barred Old English Game Female    5/13/2024

81. Bantam Dominique Female   5/13/2024

82. Bantam Dominique Female (Qty 5)  6/24/2024 

83. Bantam Barred Female (Qty 5)  6/24/2024 

84. Buff Orpington Standard (Qty 5) 6/24/2024

85. White Silkie Female (Qty 10) 9/3/2024

 

 

DUCK BIRTHDAYS

1. Muscovy Duck 1 (Lucky) 4/1/2023

2. Muscovy Duck 2 (Bill) 4/1/2023 - FIRST FLIGHT JUNE 11 2023 (10 weeks old)

3. Muscovy Duck 1 (Silver) (George's babies) 9/20/2023 

4. Muscovy Duck 2 (Lone) (George's babies) 9/20/2023 

5. Muscovy Duck 3 (Tonto) (George's babies) 9/20/2023  

6. Muscovy Duck 4 (Scout) (George's babies) 9/20/2023

7. Muscovy Duck 3 (Bubbles) (Billy's babies, Marilyn mom) 9/25/2023

8. Muscovy Duck 4 (Perry) (Billy's babies, Marilyn mom) 9/25/2023

9. Muscovy Duck 5 (Della) (Billy's babies, Marilyn mom) 9/25/2023

10. Muscovy Duck 6 (Jo White) (Billy's babies, Marilyn mom) 9/25/2023

11. Muscovy Duck 7 (Jo Black) (Billy's babies, Marilyn mom) 9/25/2023

12 - 24. Muscovy Ducks (Billy's 13 babies)  2/19/2024

CHICKENS in HEAVEN

 1. Shannon 6/1/2021 (we miss you Shannon)

MARILYN SUSPENSE 2023

 IT'S ALMOST HERE, SUNDAY MARCH 19 MARKS 21 DAYS FOR MARILYNS EGGS

UPDATE, MAGIC HAPPENED, SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT UNFOLD

DAY 20, GETTING READY TO POP THOSE CAPSULES ;-)

MR PATCHES IS CONFIRMED - He's a Rooster! So is Creamsicle

 It's official - one of the three Mutts born January 9, 2023 is a rooster.  Patches - now Mr. Patches - announced his Rooster-Ness this morning with a wing flap and a tiny "err-err-err-err-err".  He repeated this a few times to be sure we didn't miss it.

He's gorgeous, adorable, and we're happy to know he's going to be a rowdy rooster - now we can start planning for his misbehaving and future isolation from other roosters.

Welcome, Mr. Patches!

 

 For future reference, Mr. Patches crowed his first crow at 9 1/2 weeks.

BABY CHICKENS, DAISY AND MIDNIGHT ARE BORN, MARCH 2023

 MARCH 10 = DAISY, MARCH 11 = MIDNIGHT

Daisy is less than 24 hours old, peeping out from under Mom's wings of love

Nothing makes us smile like new baby chickens, yesterday, Daisy came out of her capsule and today Midnight jettisoned her pod and entered the real world. 

Our Silkie chicken named "Sunny" is the surrogate mother. She has dutifully kept these eggs warm and it paid off nicely, she has at least two new baby girls (we're hoping for girls :-).

DISCOVERING DAISY, BABY CHICKENS MAKE US SMILE

These eggs came from the two sex link hens known as "The Rangers" and were fertilized by our all time favorite Silkie rooster, Punky.

BROODER BOX #2, SUNNY SITTING ON BABY CHICKS

Our previous batch of three baby chickens from the same sources have nice personalities. 

SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2023

The world may be self destructing around us but Chickens are happy.

Daisy is the strong and advanced chicken, but watch mom's wing tip carefully and you'll see little Midnight peaking out from the warmth, now that's "wings of love" :-)

Can't stop looking at and touching baby chickens. It is difficult to imagine how soft a baby chicken is. I picked up little "Midnight" today, It's like holding a piece of fluffy air, there is nothing there but softness, little tiny feet wiggling and a fearless attitude. 

Midnight was less developed when she popped out of her space capsule. She's now entering her third day of life and doing great. 

Yesterday, Daisy was twice as old as Midnight, she was two days old LOL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY #2 FLOCK ONE, TWO YEARS OF LOVE AND FUN

 FLOCK ONE IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO

King Raven, Queen Blackie, Phylis (the jester), Lucy (u got some splain'n) and the most precious, orbiting around it all, the Duchess of tinyness, the one who shall not be touched.

Remembering Lemon, he was an odd rooster who disappeared one afternoon, we honestly don't know what happened to him. 

And then there's Orangie, over there holding down cabin number Three with his girlfriend, Henry Penny. Orangie is part of the original Flock 1 purchase at Tractor Supply. So it's also Happy Birthday Orangie. 

Saving the best for last, there is PILBR (pronounced "Pil-Burr", stands for Pretty Little Baby Rooster). One of Mary's favorites, Pilbr is a work of art to behold, his magnificent fluffiness is only exceeded by his soft feel and gigantic attitude. Mark calls him "Fritz" after the late great Fritz Von Erich, wrestler. Don't get too close to Pilbr, he'll take your leg clean off below the knee LOL, he's what we call, an aggressive rooster LOL. 

ROOSTERS RULE!

For anyone considering Chicken Friends, you definitely need to get control of how many Roosters you have. Roosters have amazing chicken personalities but they are programmed to kill each other so you don't want too many that can physically get to each other or else there WILL be problems. 

PARTY ON! HAPPY #2 FLOCK ONE, TSC SUPPLIED PURE MAGIC

Raven has grown into being a real dick, Mark and Raven play "Owwww" every morning. This game involves Raven pecking, double fighting kicks and attacking Mark through the chicken wire. It's become a morning ritual and it's funny. Similar behavior from Orangie and Pilbr

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 2023 TO MARY MY ONE TRUE LOVE

 To my Dearest Mary, Every day I give thanks to God for bringing you into my life. Every day is such a beautiful journey as we unfold our lives together. 

FEBRUARY MISTY MORNING, HUEY, ANNA

 COOL MORNINGS BRING SMOKE ON THE WATER

When the pond is naturally at 70 degrees F (from day time heating by the sun) but the night air cools down into the low 40's we get this smoke-like magical water vapor forming plumes reaching into the sky. 

On Duck Island, that's Anna our resident Anhinga, also enjoying the beautiful water vapor display. By 8AM she is full of fish and drying her wings for some "Fly-About" (like "walk about" but bird like).

MARILYN'S BROOD FEB 2023

Marilyn will be two years old in April. She has spent a large part of her mature life being "broody". Apparently it's what Silkie hens do best (besides being soft, fluffy and nice chickens).

JUST ANOTHER MANIC SUNDAY (AT P2), MINKY UP!

 We seem to have taken on a number of birds.

We have three bantam hens named "Minky". They are miniature Rhode Island Reds and they are the sweetest most gentle hens we have. 

Mary has been training this little Minky since she was a 1-day old chick. "Minky-UP" is all she says and this little chicken flies up to her arm for a special treat (dried meal worms in this case).

P E E P !

GOD TURTLE

The Lord works in strange and magical ways to make his presence known.

Turtles are so prehistoric, this one is carrying the message of God to a sad and lonely secular world.

CHICKEN CHRISTMAS 2022

Our first flock of chickens is still so magical, each bird has a unique personality. This group has lived together since their third or fourth day of life. When they come out to play in the patio courtyard they all stick together with their beautiful black rooster, Raven, leading the way. 

Christmas lights add festive glow to the Flock 1 Castle

PEEP PEEP PEEP..... BABY CHICKENS BORN AT P2

Scroll down to see updates

L to R: Muddy, Skunk and Lemon, descendants of Punky and the Rangers, raised by Puffs :-)

 PUFFS HATCH A MIRACLE CHICK (OR ?), Come along for the first look......

We took, what we thought were fertilized eggs, from our two favorite full size hens (Miata and Corvette) and placed these eggs under a broody bantam Silkie hen, affectionately named Mom1. She dutifully looked after the jumbo brown eggs as if they were her own. Almost to the day, 21ish days later we have confirmed "peeping" sounds coming from Mom1's nest box. 

FLOCK 1, JAN 2023

 MARY WAS OUT PLAYING WITH FLOCK 1 TODAY