Hi Julia, thanks, we did lose some of the babys, but as of today we had a total of (7) very healthy babys and they are getting bigger ever day, we have a local park were we live which we are going to take some there to live once they get a little bit bigger. we really can't keep all of them so the park rangers will kept them. there is a big lake, we started them on chick starter which the amish told us that would be the best food, but now they are eating the same as mon and dad. Do not understand how so many people say that Indian runners do not nest or are not good mothers, our mom is the best, our 4 pom's (dogs) do drive her a little bit crazy now she is so protectived over them. have you found out anything about how to tell which are male or female yet if you do please let me know thanks again

Chickens are a lot of fun! (Ducks, I've never had) I'm glad they are helping you get thru this sad time. Your father was wise in finding something for you to have to interest you. I had two black cochins. They are a large, gentle breed. One of my girls went broody and gave me tow little chicks this summer. Good luck with your flocks! Dannic

I don't know about all breeds of ducks, I have Moscovies, and they are every bit as agressive as simpleme says. I think it depends on the breed of duck. I've read a number of people here talking about having just a pair of ducks. Maybe some of them will post, and tell you their experience. I've got 4 hens and 4 drakes, and five young ducks, gender unknown. My drakes fight like crazy, constantly, for access to the hens all summer long. The flock was twice as big last year, and the hens out numbered the drakes, slightly. My hens seem to prefer certain drakes over others. Three drakes didn't have hens, and three had more than one hen. This year I'll lock the hens up in the coop with the one male that I want them to breed with. Leaving the other drakes out of luck, until later in the year. Each drake will get a turn in the pen, after each batch of ducklings hatch and get to market size. I would say get 3 more hens, or if you see any injuries on the hen, cage the drake away from her. I've never seen drakes try to take care of ducklings. They aren't like geese, who mate for life. So don't feel bad about separating him from her. She won't mind. Kitty

Just want you to know that I heard from Mike Quinn today and my picture has now been added to his website and our record sighting for Killeen, Bell County, Texas has been duly recorded. I think that's neat and Miss Sherry, you are part of it. I've seen lots of butterflies today, but nothing I'd never seen before. I did get to photograph a buckeye for the first time. Queens were everywhere and a few Monarchs. Had lots of the tiny butterflies--crescents and checkerspots I think. I saw a couple of sulfurs that were a bit different, a red admiral, a question mark, gulf frits (as usual), the tiniest little skipper I ever saw, other skippers, a couple of snouts, a black swallowtail, lots of painted ladies, small orange sulfurs, and another bordered patch. All and all it was a good butterfly day. The website where the urania is posted is: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/Urania.html