A faint “mip mip” from underneath Mrs Duck no.2 alerted Jeremy to the possibility that her ducklings had hatched earlier than expected. He swiftly removed the drake and placed him with his old family in the large poultry run as his offspring are now ( we hope) big enough to deal with any aggression that he might display. There is a certain safety in numbers.
Just now I peeped into the delivery suite and four fluffy ducklings were snuggling next to their mother. Well done mum!