Back in July I did a post titled “Duck(ling) names”, where I included one picture of the previous batch of ducklings, soon before they went into the pond for the first time, and gave information about their breeds and the names we chose for them.

I’ve been meaning to do that for the six new female ducklings too. So here we go.

As you may recall, there was a mystery about the breed of the duck in the foreground of the following picture. Turns out, she is a “Silver / Splashed Swedish” duck, a less common variation. (Information from the hatchery, and replies to a Reddit post I made; see that for more info.) Not what was expected, but these things happen. I mentioned before that one of the followers of this blog called her Sassa; we like that name, so that is what we’re going with. She will join the Blue Swedish Sven and Sonja.

The other duck unlike the others is the Khaki Campbell, the little brown duck in the center. Our older Khaki Campbells are named Clyde and Cora, again following the convention of naming with an initial letter for the breed, and name from the region of origin. So the new one is named Clara.

Finally, we have four Rouens, which we are naming Rosa, Roxy, Riva, and Ruby. Their male counterpart is Rémy. Though we’ll probably continue to just call them the Rouen girls, since we can’t tell them apart (yet, at least).

Not sure exactly which day I’ll let the ducklings out into the pond, but it’ll be coming up soon; maybe Wednesday?

Here they all are:

Leafy treats, watched by Betty (and she snuck one out of the pool, too):

Trying to reach a leaf under the gate:

Snagged by Betty:

A view of the run and older duck food dish from outside:

Feathers growing; her feather growth is my main indicator of readiness, being the least mature of the ducklings:

Hanging out on the steps:

In the doorway:

Sleeping on the edge; not sure she’s actually asleep, but that’s the posture they take when sleeping:

Yesterday was the first day of week 7 for the ducklings, which means they are in their last week in the duck house and run. I normally (in as much as having done so twice) let them into the pond in week 8. Basically I wait for them to be fully feathered, which they aren’t quite yet, but should be in a week.

It’s leafy treat time, with Betty outside the run enjoying one too:

A Rouen eyeing me before hopping in the pool:

You can see the growth of the feathers on the brown Khaki Campbell; it’s fascinating how the feathers grow as white pins then sprout from their tips:

Here, let me zoom in on her so you can see better:

Betty is often fascinated by the ducklings:

Swimming duckling and ducks:

Four Rouens:

Just three pictures of the ducklings today; I’ve been too busy with other stuff to spend much time with them.

They still got their treats, of course:

They also got to experience some very welcome rain this afternoon, which of course doesn’t bother ducks at all:

A focus on food today for the ducklings.

But first, I opened up the duck house and topped up water (the paint tray pool goes in the duck house while it is closed up overnight):

Ducklings and ducks watching each other:

This morning I gave them some leafy treats as usual:

Then after lunch I gave them some partially-frozen peas; ducks love all sorts of green treats:

I also refilled their food jug. They are fed a mix of brewer’s yeast (for niacin), raw rolled oats (to reduce the protein ratio), and non-medicated start & grow feed (until they start laying eggs, then will be switched to layer feed like the chickens):

Adding some oats and yeast to the jug; I add a couple of large scoops of feed, then oats and yeast, then more feed, and so on, to mix them together. This jug normally goes into the top of the feeder tube, though I’m also using it to dispense food into a dish for the older ducks until they can all eat from the duck house again:

Finally, some ducks coming around the side of the duck house to say hi to the ducklings:

The first day back in the duck house and run for the ducklings, with the kiddie pool.

Good morning:

Today I set up the kiddie pool again for them:

Treats to encourage them to investigate it:

I tweaked the steps to be easier on their short legs:

It didn’t take long for them to hop in and start swimming:

Some preferred a more direct serving of treats, though:

Three ducklings swimming, plus ducks in the pond:

Swimming for treats:

Dunking:

Four in the pool:

Shaking her head after getting out:

(Did you see the video of swimming?)