Rescued duckling finds a home with Lithuanian family

A young duckling, affectionately named Cypius, has found an unlikely home with a Lithuanian family after being rejected by its mother shortly after hatching. The duckling was discovered with a bloody head, leading its owner, Sigitas, and his wife to bring it indoors for safety.

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When small ducklings hatch, the females help them break the egg themselves so they can hatch. Cypius was the very first duckling to hatch. Perhaps the mother or the male injured him. Since he hatched at night, we didn't see exactly what happened, but in the morning, we found him with a bloody head.

Sigitas explained that Cypius was the first to hatch and suspects an injury from its mother or father during the night. Despite other ducks appearing to defend Cypius, the couple feared for its survival. They initially planned to raise it and then integrate it into the flock, but Cypius seems to have forgotten it is a duck.

Of the 12 ducklings that hatched, one other was too weak and did not survive. Cypius, however, has adapted well to its new environment, responding to its name and enjoying a diet that includes cucumbers and strawberries. It even chases beetles until midnight.

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We thought we would raise the duckling and later integrate it into the flock. However, so far, this is not working well because he doesn't feel like he is a duck.

The family has created a comfortable living space for Cypius in a large cardboard box lined with straw. While they are seeking ways to integrate it further, they are cautious about letting it roam freely due to its different digestive system. They are considering acquiring more ducklings in the hope that Cypius will then integrate with its own kind.

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The name wasn't chosen specially – Cypius is just the one who waddles, peeps. He constantly peeps peep. My wife said maybe friends would come up with a different name, but it remained Cypius.