Update...the female runner was taken by a coyote about 3 weeks ago. My husband has finally fenced the yard! Now down to the male Indian Runner and the female Rouen (who is setting on a clutch of 17 eggs in a new and safer spot) The eggs I brought in to incubate was doing great at 16 days until my pre-school moved the heat lamp. Sadly, I think they all died. It was 110F and I see no more movement or much progress (but can still see the blood veins)

I had a similiar experience, I had a baby duck given to me as a gift and I figured since it was old enough to be outside I would let it in with the others, which were 4-6 months old. They nearly killed it! I had to separate it again until it was full grown. Then they accepted it fine.

Yes, I do remember this home featured in House Beautiful. I must say it looked much better there, on the glossy paper and with the close-ups..I was impressed. I didn't necessarily like every detail, but I liked the general feel. As for the fiddle leaf fig-mine also got awfully tall. Now I start worrying, because new place will have lower ceilings.. I also don't know how we will get it there once the new house is ready. One of us will have to sit in a mover's truck probably, holding this tree...

Domestic hybrids ... note the colored head and neck. If I had to guess, I's say Rouen with some Khaki Campbell or Orpington to get the tans. And Cayuga to get the deep green/blacl The Rouen duck looks a lot like a mallard but much larger. This is what happens to the cute ducklings they sell at Easter.