At 4 weeks

The ponds of Sunsport will soon be populated by 10 ducks raised with the help of the Sunsport kids. The ducks have been eating voraciously & growing at a phenomenal rate. At one month they’re nearing adulthood. At 6-8 weeks, they will be released into the ponds that wind through Sunsport Gardens. The ducklings hatched on March 23, so release will be mid-May.

Getting acquainted

Morley Schloss, Sunsport’s venerable leader, funded the project suggested by Ted Johnson. Grey Vanaman built a fabulous enclosure to protect the ducklings from predators and provide them with space to grow. Sandi Reamer, who heads Sunsport’s home schooling project, has helped the kids learn from the project.

Duck love

The ducks are Runner ducks, known for their egg production. Each female can produce as many as 300 eggs per year. Maybe we’ll find more eggs on the menu at the new Dolphin Cafe.

 
Residents who remember previous duck projects have expressed concern about the ducks’ fate with all the critters that reside in the ponds and in the jungle around Sunsport. There’s no guarantee, of course, but these ducks will be fully capable of flight, can run like hell (they’re used in some places to train dogs to herd), and will have a floating nesting place to escape to. At 6-8 weeks, they will be fully adult and will have at least an even chance at survival.

One of the ducklings injured it’s leg at about 2 weeks. It was taken to Folke Peterson Wildlife Center for treatment. This wonderful organization has cared for the duckling and is using it in their educational programs. They will let us adopt it when fully recovered.

If you’d like to contribute to the cost of feeding the ducklings, see any of the people listed above.

Gray's incredible enclosure

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