Day 4: A Quiet Sunday

Today has been a quiet day.  We are settling into our routine.  Mommy cleans out my brooder in the morning and puts in fresh bedding.  I poop A LOT.  I get fresh water and food.  Mommy tried to put a diaper on me - didn't work.  I got to swim twice today!  It was really warm in the sun and the water felt great!  My dad put some bricks and a rock in the pond to give me a place to rest.  I learned how to dive under the water!  So much fun!  I can't fly through the air, but I can fly through the water!  My mom tried to get a picture, but I was too fast - just a blur.  I also ate a bug!  YUM.

Day 3 - Getting My Land Legs

I'm finally getting used to using my legs, not quite so wobbly!  I can even run around!  I'm actually pretty quick!  I think what I do is scamper - that pretty much describes it.  I have had lots of company and I love seeing everybody.

Today I swam for the first time in my own pond!  I was pretty surprised by the water, but soon learned I could dip my bill in and drink it - refreshing!  My boy and his girl watched me swim and I enjoyed paddling around for them.  I even dunked my head under the water!  My boy let me use his hand to rest on so I wouldn't get too tired.

 I get pretty wet because my down isn't waterproof.  If I had a duck mommy, then the oil from her feathers would rub off on me and I'd be almost unsinkable!   (My human mommy is great, but she doesn't have feathers, so she's no help there.  I love her anyway!)  So, I'll have to wait until my real feathers come in, I'll really be set and can swim unsupervised.  Right now, I have to have a lifeguard.  I don't mind, I like the company.   My mommy does wrap me up in a towel and dry me off after a swim, so she helps in her own way!

 I've learned that if I peep really loudly, my mom will come and check on me and most often will pick me up for a little play time.  I've also learned how to jump!  Pretty cool for a three day old, huh?

Day 2 - Just What is a Brooder?

I had a good night in my new home last night.  It's toasty warm and I like my cuddle buddy.   I learned how to drink water and eat my food.  My home is called a brooder.  I think that's a strange name and wanted to know why it's called that ...  so I did a little research. 


  
The word 'Brood' came into being before 1000; Middle English; Old English brōd;  cognate with Dutch broed, German Brut.  As a Noun; used most often referring to a number of young produced or hatched at one time; a family of offspring or young.  As a Verb: to sit upon (eggs) to hatch, as a bird; incubate  protect, or cover (young) with wings or body; to think or worry persistently or moodily about;  to ponder.

So, I think I'm supposed to use my time in the brooder to think about and ponder my life and what is will hold for me.  I'm not moody or worried, though.  I think life is going to be great!

Day 1: The Egg Came First

There's an age old question that goes something like, "Which came first, the duck or the egg".   In my case, the answer is the 'egg'.  For sure.  Because my life started in an egg:

I Pipped!!

Thats me, right next to the thermometer, with my first attempt at breaking out of my shell!  That was just three days ago and A LOT has already happened since then as you'll see.  I need to first tell you the story from the beginning ...

I arrived at my new home along with 11 other little eggs from a farm in Virginia.  They sent us through the mail!  Can you believe it?  We were all swaddled in a cushy wrap, placed amongst some fluffy paper strips in a box and mailed to Texas!   We all made the trip safe and sound and soon found a nice, warm and cozy box (*incubator) to wait out the time until we were ready to make our appearance, 28 days later.  There was a lot that had to happen in that time.  We needed to grow from a little speck to a four inch hatchling in that time!  Along the way, the others dropped out  - just not able to make the journey.  That's okay - that's Nature.

But on day 26 (I'm a bit precocious!) I started pipping my way out.  It was really hard work and I worked at it for almost a whole day without making much progress.  I was very tired and about to give up.

 But then,  I got a little help with with all from a nice lady and I was on my way again!  By the next day, I was out.

Hatched: April 7, 2011

I was really tired and once I was clear of that shell, I just wanted to rest.  I stayed in the nice warm box for a few hours and then I was moved to another, larger box.  It was warm there too and had a super nice pillow for me to cuddle up next to and take a nap.  The rest of the day is kind of a blur, but I do remember seeing a face that looked really happy to see me.  I'll remember that face as long as I live...I remember thinking....'Are you my mother?   I must take after my dad!'

Five Hours Old