Christmas quackers arrive just in time for the big day (From Swindon Advertiser)

Christmas quackers arrive just in time for the big day

11:11am Thursday 22nd December 2011 in News

LOWER Shaw farm had a surprise this week when three little ducklings were born in the middle of winter.

The ducklings hatched on Tuesday morning after the mother, a Black Rock hen, spent four weeks keeping the eggs warm.

Owner Matt Holland said: “It’s unusual for hens to get broody, but at this time of year, on the shortest day of the year, in absolute deep mid winter, it is unusual to get anything hatching – there are no birds nesting or anything, it is a Frozen Planet scenario, it is really unusual.

“They hatched overnight and so they were there on Tuesday morning.

“During the four weeks I have been a bit like a midwife really because it was almost as if the hen wasn’t certain she should be broody so she would go off the eggs and leave them so I would have to keep them warm for a while.”