We let the ducks brood this year, free range... and have 5 still setting. One hatched 6 ducklings who followed their momma everywhere. The waddled to the waterway and to the corn field, to the garden and to the barn... but the wildlife showed no mercy and in less than 10 days we went from 6 to 3 to 2 to 1 to none. Alan noticed that there seem to be empty egg shells near the nests too and worries that something is stealing the eggs before they can hatch. We will have to reconsider the free range brooding idea and determine a compromise between protecting them and allowing them freedom. What joys and challenges...

Next episode... when will the little piggies come?