Rachel Algar and her son Maxx have taken a special duckling under their wing and need some help.
While holidaying in Hemlock at Lake Taupo at Christmas last 10-year-old Maxx found an egg that looked like it had been washed up or disturbed on the water's edge where people were swimming, Rachel says.
Rachael's duckling is being raised by a hen Photo: supplied
“He's a bit of an animal-lover, so he decided to take it home and put it under one of our broody hens to see if it would hatch.
“So, 28 days later the egg hatched, the chickens been raising the duckling. It's now six weeks old and it's starting to feather up.”
And I believe it could be a brown or black teal. Which are what from what I've been reading endemic and protected in New Zealand.”
Does the duck have a name? Milo.
Maxx is delighted with the new family member, she says.
“He loves all animals and he's just been thrilled to watch the development of this little duckling. But I guess my concern now is that we live in Tamahere on a lifestyle property not near any lakes.”
Rachel wants to know if Milo can be reintroduced to the wild.
Meanwhile, Milo is in good shape, she says.
“She enjoys wandering around with her mother hen around the property, eating, peas, blueberries, mince and duck food. And generally being a duck swimming in the little paddling pool sometimes.”
Any duck experts out there can contact afternoons@rnz.co.nz and we’ll pass the information on to Rachel.
