I had a piece of window glass and built a box out to used 1/2" plywood using the glass as the top. The front side hinged down. About 2 1/2" off the floor was a 1/4" wire mesh. The moisture supplied by a casarole dish under the mesh. At the top of the box was a light fixture at each end. 40 watt on one end, 60 watt on the other. An exterior thermometer (the kind that has the prob on the end of a wire) was wired to the mesh so that the top of it was level with the top of the eggs. At the back between the bulbs was a waffer thernstat I ordered from Strombergs. I heated the box, put in the eggs and watched the thermometer so that I could adjust the thermostat accordingly. Turned the eggs every four hours (3 o'clock and 11 o'clock). On the 15th day I soaked each egg for 30 seconds in a deep bowl of warm water, once a day. As the embryo developes, the eggs will bob in the bowl of water. Don't throw any that don't bob, they like to play with you even at this stage. I have raised ducklings for a few years with this old box of wood, glass, wire and light bulbs. Went through a day of no electricity. These little guys are tough. There are two problems that I have had with ducklings. One is an electralite imbalance. Not the whole batch, just 1 or 2 birds will stiffen out like a rubber chicken. Go to the feed store and get the water additive for wild game birds. The second is a problem with a drake. If you have a drake in your flock, pen him or the young to keep them apart. The drake will break their necks and you will find little bodies thoughout your yard. As soon as they get big enough so that the drake can't lift them off the ground they will be safe. Just wanted you to know that your grand gramma raised birds under the wood stove and didn't need an expensive box to do it. It's all what you feel you can handle.

Sorry I didn't come back sooner, Helen. It would be illegal to trap the birds unless you could get the DNR to issue a permit and I haven't heard of that happening. I expect the birds would beat you back. It would be difficult to move them any way since they are flocking birds and a flock would be too difficult to catch and transport at one time. I expect using the pups to chase the birds could make the DNR unhappy. But it would depend on the situation. I would check with the authorities in advance and I know they would forbid it when the birds were nesting. I would be more concerned about injuries to the dogs than to the birds. If you have ever faced an angry duck or goose you know what I mean. Sandy

BLESS YOU for sending me the link to the Wood Duck clip highlights-both DuBois and I watched it a few minutes ago. Gracious-I didn't think that last duckling would make it. The link is so cool-it shows two cameras-one of the box and pond (so you can see them after they jump) and one of the inside of the box.-you can see them climb up and out http://www.filefactory.com/file/ag1eb41/n/WoodDuck-2_2Cam_avi I had to download a free copy of File Factory Basic. At first I couldn't get the videos but this last HP computer and Firefox browser automatic upgrade suddenly made me able to not only see your clips but see other links I got from Twitter-like the one to the live peregrine falcon chick cam at http://www2.fiberpipe.net/falconcam/live.asp live loon cam at http://www.mnbound.com/live-loon-cam/ Also I can now hear my favorite (French/Creole, from Haiti-lot's of original West Indian music) radio station at http://radio4veh.org/radio_plus/radio_4veh.html

Well the kids behaved while I was gone and everybody is still in there. We have lots more wing flapping going on , poor guys have to duck when someone goes to flapping, don't want to get a wing in the eye! There have been one or two that have finally decided to go see what may be out there. Nobody has been brave enough to stick their heads out , but maybe it's because whoever they are standing on is squacking get off get off! Two of them have also learned that there is no reason to push and shove to be at the front of the box when Joe Daddy comes with food....it's much simpler to hang out in back and jump on top of someone in front to get the bug! LOL. The parents are not trying to call them out yet so I expect they will go tomorrow. This time I am NOT getting up at 6:30. Last time I did and nobody was awake. Pop was up around 8 and Hussy Moma didnt even show up until sometime after nine. Boy it's going to be quiet when they are gone. :(