Friday, March 3, 2006
Hunter the wayward duck is home safe...
Posted in Critter Happenings
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A few days ago I went out to check on the bird & noticed two of my
mallards, Hunter & Poe weren't in the pen. I searched the farm but
no sign. All the ducks had fully moulted & were happily winging
their way around the farm but never going far from the coop. I figured
they knew where the good life was so I didn't need to trim their wings
anymore... BIG mistake! Two days ago, the ACO called me and said he got a call that someone saw a duck shivering in a ditch and figured he'd call and see if it was mine. I jumped in the truck and flew down the street to where the duck was sighted, but no luck. Then a young couple waved me over and showed me a poor huddled duck sitting in their driveway. Hunter! I slowly walked up talking to him, but he suddenly flew away and up the street. I thanked them and followed in the truck, but lost sight of him. After driving and walking around shaking the feed bucket, I had to give up. Yesterday I went out for a bit again, but no duck. I had about given up, thinking he was coyote or dog bait, or that he wouldn't survive the bitter cold we've had the past few days & nights. Then today a town truck stopped by and the guy asked if I was missing a duck. Yes! He said a coworker at the waste treatment plant found a shivering duck in the parking lot & they had him in a milk crate in their garage. I flew down there and this time Hunter looked a lot happier to see me! I think he was done with that exploring nonsense! He wanted a nice cozy coop & fresh food. Meanwhile our poor lone female, Tori, who was smart enough to not follow and stayed home with the call duck boys, has spent the last few days pacing the fence line and calling for her flock. It was so pitiful... she lost her mate a couple months ago, then this. So once I had Hunter all cozy in a pen inside the ell with fresh food & water (and trimmed wing feathers), I brought her in to be with him. I don't think I've seen two ducks more relieved and happy. The ACO had mentioned he received a report of a duck on the road not too far from the farm a couple days ago, but when he got there, he couldn't find it. I think it was Poe. I went up and down the road, hoping someone from the trailer park may have found or seen her, but no luck. I hope she turns up too... there are a lot of predators out there and it's still pretty cold.  It's so much fun to see the ducks winging their way around the farm, but after this, I think they're safer grounded. |
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