The amazing story of saving a duckling... in a beard

The guy from this post became a "mom" for a charming duckling named Pip, whom he raised himself. At first, this guy wanted to start breeding chickens, but something went wrong with the eggs, and he had to stop with the chickens. However, one of the eggs turned out to be a duck, and quite unexpectedly a cute and funny duckling hatched out of it, which this guy sheltered ... in his own beard!

(15 photos in total)

1. Day 1: Pip hatched.

So, my first attempt to raise chickens failed. But it turned out that one egg was not chicken at all, but duck. And obviously duck eggs are tougher or need different incubation conditions.

2. Day 1:

I needed a towel. Ducklings poop a lot. "A lot" is not even the right word.

3. Day 1:

Advice for professionals: it is best to communicate with your chick after lunch, preferably a few hours after lunch. Feeding a duckling and then immediately starting to play with it is not an option, unless you do it on the street. Otherwise, you'll just get pooped on.

4. Day 1:

I was worried that I didn't feed or water him enough, but if the duckling is nearby and he is hungry or thirsty, you will know about it.

5. Day 1:

So, I have a duckling. One duckling. But ducks are social animals, and raising a duckling is practically a death sentence for him. He'll just die of loneliness.

6. Day 1:

The ducklings didn't have a mother's wing to hide under, so my beard took over this role.

7. Day 1:

Am I already saying that they poop? Fortunately, it's not cat or dog poop. Of course, it's unpleasant, but not so scary. It smells like wet bread.

8. Day 1:

Sometimes you will be pinched, but it doesn't hurt. Well, maybe in the eye. That hurts.

9. Day 1:

Please don't poop on my head!

10. Day 1

11. Day 1:

The poop in your hand is worth it.

12. Day 25

13. Day 25

14. Day 41

15. Day 41

He still likes to "hang out" on my shoulder – watch TV and all that. He even watched me type it. I still haven't decided who he is – a boy or a girl. I'm waiting for the tail feathers to show up, but it will take another 6 weeks. I have 3 more duck eggs in my home incubator – they should hatch in about a week. So by spring, Pip will have friends.