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This duck momma is gonna need a snooze today

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IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

I woke to the sound of many sirens around midnight, a building caught fire across the valley. Suddenly power goes out. 4 fresh ducklings and no heat lamp, no power to the incubator. Knowing there wasn't going to be power for hours I didnt have many options.
I wrapped a blanket over the incubator and cuddled the ducklings in the dark. Time was ticking in my mind and I knew the longer I waited the colder the eggs in the incubator would get. I decided that rather than loose all my eggs (almost 4 dozen call duck eggs) without an attempt to keep them going, I'd take them out of the incubator And placed them in an old hoodie, then wrap them in a blanket and use the only weapon for this situation I had... Body heat. I placed the bundle of call duck eggs on my lap, cuddled the 4 fresh ducklings in my hands and had a blanket on top of everything to keep us all warm and sat in the silent darkness with my ducklings and hopefully ducklings to be. Fear of squished ducklings and eggs kept me awake during the 4.5 hours of dark silence, with only the odd peep of the little ones warm in my hands.
So happy the power is back on, that was a long night. I only lost the very freshest duckling who had only been under the lamp for one day and I wasn't sure if it was going to make it to begin with. When I placed the eggs back in the incubator they were toasty warm.. Have my fingers crossed for survivors. I will candle tonight to see the egg results. Thankfully the older ducklings were ok because it was warm in here and they aren't long before moving out to the barn.
Ducklings all had breakfast and my coffee is ready for me now. Still have to get everyone off to school and work, then barn chores... And then it will be time for shut eye for this momma duck.

IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

I just did a quick check on 3 eggs just to see if there is hope for my candling tonight ... And all 3 were alive!!!
So happy!!! Looks like my long night paid off Smile

Farmer Bob

Farmer Bob
Full Time Member
Full Time Member

Thank goodness!! I can well imagine how stressful that must have been for you!! I couldn't take that kind of stress...I bought a generator.

IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

We want to get one too. The power goes out here a lot. Luckily the timing was just right and I finished hatching a group a day before. I would have lost them all if they were half hatched.
I just finished candling and all my eggs are good except maybe one.. Not sure about it. So it was well worth the time pretending to be a duck in the dark for a night

Farmer Bob

Farmer Bob
Full Time Member
Full Time Member

That's so incredible that you were able to save them that way! I never would have thought of that...but of course it does make sense! That is true dedication...which has always been obvious anyway...your ducks are beautiful!

IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

Thank you so much!

viczoe

viczoe
Addicted Member
Addicted Member

Izzy you" Rock" true dedication to your babies.
Heather

http://www.triple-h.ca

IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

Thanks Heather. I have a lot of fun with these guys so it's well worth it to me.

Jonny Anvil

Jonny Anvil
Admin

Such a great read...

I agree with Heather You rock!

IzzyD

IzzyD
Active Member
Active Member

Thanks Jonny Smile

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