There. Duck Mama number one tucked into her enclosure. Food – water – duck – eggs. And no more visitors from other would be mama ducks.
When and if the eggs hatch I will make a corridor of the bales and gently walk the ducklings and their mama to the little hospital coop for the duration. 
But I did not intend to have ducklings so that is enough intervention. The rest is up to Nature.
I ordered meat chickens today too. It is a bit quieter now. I think I can manage. Plus there is a lot more to feed fattening chickens in the late summer.
Hope your day is going well!
C
The Kitchen's Garden 
28 responses to “ESCONCED”
That sounds like a good pragmatic approach.
I’m sure Mama duck appreciates this extra hand of security you have provided her! 🙂 Did you ever find Mrs. Flowers?
Are you aware you have a drake amongst them? Maybe the one with the Pom-Pom.. like in The King and I !!!!!!!
I have a number of drakes – that Pom Pom is pretty funny – right?!
Nice duck house! Would some of the extra ducks be good for eating?
I did not know you had a drake. Did you isolate him?
No, he comes with the pack. I lost two drakes in the mink attack.
How does the duck get out if it wants to? I don’t know anything about broody hens or ducks.
She does not get out – that is the whole idea actually – she will sit on her nest without moving for days on end. Hiding. Brooding.
Ceci, your photos are wonderful! Mama duck won’t get too hot, being closed in like that, will she? Her little ‘safe house’ is sure getting the walk-about once-over by the other ducky ladies! Curiosity – how many more of those lovely orange kitties come to the porch at eating time? And how on earth did the blackish-grey one get mixed in? Sure is beautiful! Thanks for the breath of fresh air!
I hope she is not too hot- the entire top is open with chicken wire on top. Plus we are in the low eighties for a while yet
Nice solution. Let’s hope for little ones.
Watching and waiting to see what happens next in this thriller. 😉
A delightful frisson of vicarious anticipation and hopefulness when we’re waiting for a Farmy event…
Love the ‘which one of these things does not belong’ pic of the kitties.
I LOVE your solution to giving Duck mama some solitude to brood. 💕💕
Enjoyed the story of the mama duck … sneaky to make her nest hidden away and lay her eggs there. Fingers crossed that you have some ducklings hatch.
Four plus one of the healthiest kittens I’ve seen in some time. Such glossy fur.
I’m hoping you’ll get ducklings!!!! Glad your weather is not too hot. I’m also glad to read that you are getting some meat chickens. I miss the cows. You are down to the 2 (large) calves and their moms, right?
That’s a LOT of Ginger Tabbies, Celi; )
It will be interesting to see if these ducklings are tamer than your last two batches, love your solution. Laura