Hatching Project rejects

These delightful Aylesbury ducklings were rehomed to us today from a friend who runs his own animal rescue centre, as well as being a full time dog warden.

They are the unwanted outcome of a primary school hatching project. Most schools take part in this as a curriculum activity. Fertilised eggs are obtained, placed in an incubator and finally hatched out as chicks, ducklings or goslings.

Well, its a great idea and gives the children a wonderful opportunity to experience nature at first hand. Then what happens? Few schools have the facilities to keep them; so some are returned to the farms for killing , especially if they are male.
Or the lucky ones get rehomed into animal rescue centres, that are often short of funds but never turn away a desperate animal.

And that is how we came to be the proud carers of five discarded ducklings.