The other day, I was relishing the blessings of the ranch with Rhoda via long distance phone call. Today, I am so disappointed in myself. I neglected to release the ducklings from their feeder pen after they were done eating. A feeder pen is similar to a creep, it keeps the small birds in, keeping out the other big birds and other large animals from getting the feed for the ducklings. However this feeder pen didn't allow the ducklings to leave on their own. I had to release them. It's an up-cycled scratch pen.
Today, when I got home from work. I saw six of the ducklings waiting for me at the canopy with the 7 chicks. It wasn't until I got to the poultry area that I saw my mistake. 6 of the other ducklings didn't get out of the feeder pen. They were all stacked above each other on one corner. I don't know if a small snake got to them or the heat of the morning and noon sun. Either way, if I had released them after they ate their feed yesterday. They would have been fine today.
Costly mistake.
