well at first i thought he was a she, so she was Daisy Duck, but then some guys told me he was a boy, so his name is Donny Delishious, now. also, i began to realize that he is *such* a boy the way he runs around. he pecks. me. tonight he was offeneded with one of the lights so he was pecking sharply at that. hes very stubborn. the first day he did not know how to swim. he floated like a lump, confused and angry, he violently wanted out - after just a few seconds. ive only had him 3 days. hours later, when i put him in again, same response, he just wanted OUT! the third time, a few hours later, i started pushing and guiding him - and he got the hang of kicking, and he seemed okay about it but not happy - demanding to be out (when he wants out he tries to leap out of his bowl).
by day 2 he was kicking all on his own - no pushing or guiding him from me - and absolutely SHOWING OFF... and just really in a happy & confident place. then he had a bath - and he LOVED the bath - cruising around his legs going like totally crazy. he was beside himself with joy. he didnt want to get out.
so today, day 3, i had my bath and he stayed in for ages, probably 2 hours. it keeps him busy. then i drain the tub and he grooms himself for ages.
he gets his bowl bath after he has finished his foraging. i like him to have a bath because the foraging situation gets a little gross... he eats constantly. he cannot hunt at all. ive tried, but he is scared shitless when i even bring him a dead ant. so it has to be really dead dead for him to not jump back in abject horror and fear that it might be alive. so hes big on dusty dead insects in filthy corners of the house.
so after eating, i put him in his pondbowl (its a big glass serving bowl) with salad and outdoor greens, torn up tiny tiny tiny. he scoots around eating and swimming and drinking. he loves rice milk, but hes not so crazy about cows milk. he loves oatmeal with a bit of sugar and butter.
all i can say is i adore him. he goes everywhere with me in a pyrex bowl with a fluffduster in the bottom and a handkerchief napkin for a blanky... at bedtime he sleeps with me, he likes to snuggle down into something like the crook of my arm, or in my shirt top, or under my neck.
and i wish i could put him on the internet. he is my sweet boy. last night he found a new place to sleep. he stuck his nose into my bra!!! his bum and legs were sticking out of the top. he loves his tummy rubbed. he is the cutest thing i have ever seen in my whole life.
when we go somewhere in the car, i put him in a pyrex bowl with a fluffduster & hanky and then i put the lid on top, opened a crack, and he is very calm, and is fine for a couple or 3 hours.... and when i get out of the car, i take him with me in the bowl, and put the bowl in a basket. hes very calm. but if the day drags on, he will get restless in his bowl with the lid on, sometimes if i cover the bowl with the hanky he will calm right down again, other times i take him out (making sure the doors and windows are closed) and give him a kiss. at the intersection yesterday, the woman in the car beside said, "What are you doing?" i said, "Im kissing my duck". and she said, "oh" like it was ok then. he is also good inside my fleece hat i place inside my makeup bag and he sticks his neck out. i do have to keep a very watchful eye though if i am getting ants for him, and not take that lid off for a second, or he will tear off. hes such a boy duck.
edit: thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions... i am going to get chick mash tomorrow.
editedit: and am neverever letting him out of my sight in the outdoors, he would make a perfect sandwich for some hungry cat or dog.
