Bonnie's Barnyard

"This Show is for the Birds"

Baby chicks and ducks waddle by NBC26 TODAY.

By Jenny Evans

CREATED Oct. 12, 2011

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  • Bonnie's Barnyard Video by nbc26.com

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Bonnie Keyes from Mulberry Lane Farm stops by NBC26 TODAY to share some fun facts about baby chicks and ducks!

 

Chicks

  • It takes 21 days for a chick to hatch.
  • When using an incubator to hatch chicken eggs you must rotate the eggs at least 3 times a day. 
  • On the 18th day you would stop turning the egg.  This action mimics what a mother hen would do naturally.
  • A chick uses its egg tooth to hatch out of the egg.
  • Within 12 to 24 hours after the chick hatches the egg tooth will dry and fall off.
  • Chicks can survive 3 days without food and water because of the nutrition it receives while still in the egg by drawing what remains of the yolk into its body.

Ducklings

  • A baby duck is called a duckling, and an adult male is a drake. An adult female duck is called a hen or a duck
  • When constructing her nest, the hen will line it with soft down feathers she plucks from her own breast. This gives the eggs the best possible cushioning and insulation.
  • Ducks swim well because of their webbed feet.
  • Ducks' feet can't feel cold. Their feet have no nerves or blood vessels making the duck unable to feel cold.
  • Most male ducks are silent and very few ducks actually "quack." Instead, their calls may include squeaks, grunts, groans, chirps, whistles, brays and growls.

 For more fun farm facts, stop by Mulberry Lane Farm in Sherwood!