Francis & Hope

Hope – 1 week old

Hope is my special little duckling that hatched with only one working limb – the bad one is stuck in the bent position and won’t move.  I was never sure she would make it at first. She could barely reach the food or water because it was so difficult for her to move, and she didn’t seem interested. I held her up to the food and water several times a day and she would eat and drink, but would not eat or drink on her own. I am sure that she knew she was abnormal and that nature was taking its course, however, I couldn’t just let her die of starvation.

Once she began eating and learning to maneuver, which entailed hopping around on one leg, she started to show signs of life, of wanting to live, and enjoying her family.  Although she’s much smaller than the other ducks hatched around the same time, she eats like crazy.

Hope 3 weeks old (on right)

Today, I saw the most amazing act of kindness between two different species that I was completely heart warmed.

Francis (named after St. Francis) is a beautiful Pea Hen who was rescued as a throw away, as well as her mate, Albert.  One morning she decided it was time to expand her family, and laid on about 4 eggs for almost 2 months. Sweet Francis didn’t have any success. I eventually had to remove the eggs as they were not going to hatch, but eventually rot. Francis has been ok with this fact and has gone on to do the ‘Peacock’ things she loves to do. However, after noticing baby ducks that spend time outdoors, she showed a special interest in Hope. It appears she is feeling motherly toward her because she is always hanging around her when she is outside in what I perceive as being protective.

Today, it got a little nerve wracking for me – Hope can’t get away like the others, which is why she lives in the house most of the time. With her one leg she can manipulate herself around pretty well, but tends to go in circles before getting there….she does get where she wants to go, but it takes awhile, and she’s a little unstable.