For several weeks, a mama duck has been setting on a nest inside the secure duck pen -- a nest Steven created out of a half-drum-barrel. Her eggs are about ready to hatch into little ducklings sometime next week.
Over the past few weeks, we have had something on the farm stalking and killing baby kittens at night (most of our cats are somewhat feral barn cats, used only for rodent control, so that is not necessarily a big loss). However, our very favorite and best cat, Peggy Sue, had her very healthy kittens under the wheelbarrow in the garden.
Sometime over the weekend, though, apparently something spooked Peggy Sue into thinking her kittens were in danger - so she move them to the most secure place this intelligent cat could find -- into the duck nest!
Now understand, Peggy Sue is also our best "hunter-cat" - and we often have to watch her away from any baby chicks and ducks on the place. So who knows what is going to happen next week when Mama duck's eggs start to pip out? We have tried to convince Peggy Sue to move her babies to other locations, but she consistently moves them back.
What is baffling to me is how she got Mama Duck to allow her to "nest" next to her. Mama Duck won't even let us get within three feet of her nest without having a fit.
We should have a very interesting time next week! :)
(you can click on the photo to see it larger)
1 comment:
Wow, I wouldn't think she would allow it either. Great picture!!
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