The mixed breed Bert, or Little as he is called, came about by accident.
Despite being ostracized by the pack, he has found his thing.
– It was an adventure. He swims every day and loves being out in the sun, says Ingela Fohlin, 53.
In May, Ingela Fohlin, 53, collected eggs for the egg hatching machine at her home in the countryside outside Arkösund, in Norrköping municipality. She hoped the chicks would arrive in time for the summer.
After three weeks, all but one egg hatched. It was Lillen who needed more time inside the shell. Nothing was wrong – he just wasn’t a chicken like the others.
But just like in the story of the ugly duckling, Little has been ostracized. He is a mixed breed – the result of a musk duck and an ancona duck.
– It is an unusual mix, he is unique, says Ingela Fohlin.
Neither the mother, Mysan the duck, nor the father the Ancona duck, Lilleman, want to know their son. He is not like any of them and has therefore been ostracized.
– Mom and dad don’t want him in the herd. He has been allowed to live with two chickens, but he always comes to us and lays down in the dog baskets.
Clashes with blind chihuahuas
Every morning, Ingela’s husband Stefan gets up early. Then he picks up Lillen and puts him on the bed next to Ingela. So the days start together, then it continues.
– He goes with me everywhere. In the garden, in the kitchen. He begs for food and comes when called.
– Most of all he loves to sit and cuddle in your lap and when you pet him. When he sleeps, he tucks his head under his arm to get darkness.
He also gets love from the family’s other pets.
– He works very well with our chihuahuas Balder and Elton. He runs after them and usually collides with Balder who is blind.
Hoping for new ducklings
Despite many attempts by Ingela and Stefan to try to get Lillen to fit in, it has been difficult.
– We try to train them so that they can go together, but dad doesn’t want him.
Now the hope lies in a new litter of baby ducks.
– It will arrive in a week. He is Hopefully he will be able to keep up with them.