I'm so glad yesterday is done and over with. I can't say that I'd ever want to hatch call ducks again. They're absolutely adorable but such a pain in the butt to deal with during the incubating and hatching process.

Out of the five eggs, we have three healthy ducklings. The two that passed had a very difficult time hatching and I eventually had to help them out. I explained to he kids that I didn't think they were going to make it and they were able to say their goodbyes before the little fellows passed on. We're going to have a ducky funeral in our orchard tonight.

The remaining three ducklings are doing great and have really started taking on a personality of their own. As you can can in the photo, I've placed a stuffed penguin in the cage. No, I'm not trying to confuse them, but after having raised chicks, I know that sometimes the little ones like having the stuffed animal there for extra warmth and protection. As long as they don't start asking to go to Antartica, I think we'll be safe!

They get their first swimming lesson this weekend. They've already discovered that their watering dish is big enough for a quick dip!

The smallest (and my favorite) duckling: