Last Thursday, I walked into my room to find one of the eggs beginning to hatch! As the day progressed, the crack got bigger and bigger. The duck was chirping as well. My friend and colleagues discussed what we could name them. Mrs. Belanich came up with Charlie (influenced from the ‘Charlie bit my finger’ video). As the duckling chirped from inside its shell, I was calling it Charlie from outside (hoping it would recognize my voice and imprint onto me when it hatched).
As the weekend passed, I nervously rushed to school to find that three little ducklings hatched! I was so excited. They were very squished in the tiny incubator, but seeing how cramped they must have been in the egg, it was probably fine. Their feathers were dry, indicating they must have hatched some time ago and dried off. I looked for a container to fit the eggs and brooder in as well.
It was time to open the door for the kids to come in. They were immediately drawn to the ducks, as were their parents. I explained what had happened to Gimpy and hoped it would get better. By lunch time, I had been holding Gimpy to help its leg placement. By the end of the day, helping Gimpy rehabilitate his leg paid off. He was finally able to walk on his own. The kids were able to interact with the cute baby ducks. We have a few more weeks with the duck before they go back to the farm.
Thank you to all who helped make this happen!
| |