Good Afternoon!

We are super excited to share with you that Virginia is doing so well! Poor little girl, its been a long road for her, but she is a tough little duck with a bright spirit and has come so far.

After all the tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, follow-ups, medications, and even collaboration with an Avian Specialist at Cornell, Virginia has now been healthy for over a month. Unfortunately, she has not been able to move in with her bird companions just yet, as Gene came down with a bacterial infection, so Virginia is waiting to move in once Gene is healthy again. He was on an antibiotic for 4 weeks that made a bit of improvement, but not as much as we had hoped, so he is now trying a different antibiotic which seems to be working better for him. Fingers, or webbed toes, crossed that Virginia will get to move in a couple of weeks!

Virginia has been in her new house since August, when she was improving but her clear date was yet unknown, it was time she needed a more proper long term space and something suitable for the colder weather that was sure to come, and has now arrived. Eric got to work quickly, and built her her own little duck house. It is built just like the other birds’…insulated, lined with rat wire, split door, exhaust fan, outlets, a slider window, fan in the summer, heat panel in the winter, and a nesting box…the only difference is it is smaller sized, just for Virginia. We dug a trench to bury her fencing for safety, put in a gate, covered the top with a shade sail, now netting, and Virginia has her own nice little spot. We put her near a berry tree we have on flat ground within visual and quacking distance of the other birds, so she doesn’t feel too alone.

Duck friend?! pajama holder?! comfy pillow?!

My pajama holder from childhood seemed like an appropriate companion for her in the meantime, so he sits in the corner providing warmth and comfort as needed. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to really appreciate him, but he remains there just in case. She also has a radio playing Country music by day, but you can always find Virginia in her pool. It is the place she likes to be and most always is… either sleeping, bathing, or just hanging out, it is her chosen spot.

She has gotten quite vocal and you can now hear her quacking loudly when she wants your attention, or the attention of Gene and Nan. Often during the day, you can listen to them chattering back and forth or find Gene and Nan peering through the fence so they can see Virginia as they converse. Virginia loves her morning grub treats and only leaves her pool to search for them around on the ground or periodically for a bite to eat. She prefers to be escorted into her house each night, where she’ll eat a few nibbles of dinner before tucking herself into her laying box, all while being serenaded. And yes, Twinkle, Twinkle is still her favorite.

Thank you for the love and support you continue to give Virginia and keep those positive wishes coming that she will get to move in with her bird friends soon! : )

night, night

~ Namaste

Virginia’s New House & Update

Turkey Day

Goats have a New Barn!!