How To Take Care Of Baby Ducklings – Raising Ducks 101

You’ve learned how to raise chickens but do you know how to take care of baby ducklings?

Welcome to the fascinating world of raising ducklings!

If you’re a new duck owner, you may be full of anticipation and perhaps a little bit of apprehension. After all, these adorable little creatures are now depending on you for care and nurturing. Fear not, because this comprehensive guide is here to help.

We’ll walk you through every step of the journey, from creating a safe and cozy environment for your new feathered friends, to understanding their dietary needs, and even decoding their unique behaviors.

Raising ducklings can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and with the right guidance, you’ll soon watch these baby birds flourish into mature, healthy adult ducks.

So, let’s embark on this exciting adventure together!

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Beginners Guide to Raising Ducklings

Raising a baby duckling can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. While ducks may not make the greatest house pets, they can quickly become beloved farmyard and backyard companions. From raising them from egg to adulthood, there are many steps that need to be taken when introducing a young duckling into your family.

Whether you’re an experienced duck handler or just getting started on this journey, let us help guide you through each step of the way! In this blog post we will cover everything from how to pick out and raise healthy baby ducklings all the way through their care throughout their lives.

So what exactly do you need to successfully raise baby ducks? Read on for tips and tricks from experts in raising these happy little birds (then read our master article that includes even more homesteading tips and tricks)!

Duckling Care – Ducklings Need Water

One thing you need to know about ducklings is they need water. From the day the hatch, they will enjoy frolicking in a puddle of H2O. Yes, ducklings swim from day one!

That being said, ducklings are not born with waterproof feathers. They are born covered in a soft, fluffy down. Duckling down is NOT waterproof and your little ducklings will quickly get waterlogged and drown if you give them too much water too fast.

In the wild, momma duck will keep an eye on the ducklings and bring them to dry land when they start getting too wet. Young ducks you raise on your own do not have this luxury. So be sure whatever water source you provide them with is shallow enough they can easily stand up and touch the bottom.

We tend to use empty tote lids, a shallow pan, or old baking sheets for our newly hatched ducklings. The young ducklings can splash around to their hearts’ content and then get out and walk away safely when they have had enough.

To date, we have yet to have a duckling drown in these shallow water dish options. So keep this in mind when brooding ducklings at home. And we’ve raised hundreds of ducks from duck eggs.

Some people opt to give their young ducklings enough water to drink but not to splash around in. However, I would strongly advise making sure your ducklings have water for splashing and bathing. There is nothing cuter than a baby duck taking a bath!

And on that note – keep in mind that ducklings are exceptionally dirty birds. They are stinky and smelly and have a knack for making any and all water sources dirty, mucky, and gross in mere moments. So be prepared to change out your ducks’ water source at a minimum of one time per day.

Duckling Care – What Do Ducklings Eat?

Feeding baby ducklings is a critical task for any new duck owner. It’s essential to provide your feathered friends with the proper nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.

Baby ducklings have unique dietary needs that require a specific diet to promote healthy growth. The best food for baby ducklings is a specialized food that contains everything they require for optimal growth and development. You can purchase this food from any farm supply store or online. The feed should contain at least 18% protein and should not be medicated.

You might be wondering if you can feed your ducklings chick starter feed. The answer is absolutely not! Most chick feed is medicated and medicated feed will harm your ducklings.

Instead, opt for an all flock feed or find a specialized unmedicated chick starter feed (or make your own DIY bird feed!). (It is safer to opt for the all flock feed.) All flock feed makes a great duckling food.

Or you might even be able to find a waterfowl starter feed at your local farm feed store (They don’t keep waterfowl starter feed at my local store.)

For an extra nutritional boost (especially if you couldn’t find duck or waterfowl starter feed, add some brewers yeast to your duck feed. Brewers yeast is high in niacin and vitamin B, which ducklings tend to be naturally deficient in and most chick feed and all flock feeds don’t have much niacin (at least not enough for ducks).

In addition to specialized duck starter feed, you can also provide your baby ducklings with treats such as mealworms, scrambled eggs, fruits, and vegetables. However, these treats should only make up a small part of their diet and should not replace their specialized feed.

Josh’s Frogs Animal Grade Brewer’s Yeast (5 lbs)It’s Just – Brewers Yeast Powder, Keto Baking, Sourdough Bread, Boost Mother’s Milk, Make Lactation Cookies, 10ozEarthborn Elements Brewer’s Yeast 1 Gallon Bucket, Pure & Undiluted, Inactive Yeast

 

Also, ensure that all treats are cut into small pieces to avoid choking hazards. As they grow, they will be able to chop up their own food but ducklings have very small beaks and need smaller portions.

With the proper nutrition, your baby ducklings will grow healthy and strong, enabling them to thrive into happy adult ducks.

Duckling Care – Ducklings Need Proper Shelter

As a new duckling owner, one of your top priorities is to provide your feathered friends with a safe and comfortable shelter. A proper shelter not only protects your birds from the elements but also provides them with a sense of security, enabling them to thrive and grow healthily.

In this guide, we will walk you through what it takes to provide ducks with a proper shelter.

Raising ducklings can be a fun and rewarding experience, but creating the perfect living environment is crucial for their health and well-being. It’s important to make sure the temperature is just right – not too hot and not too cold – to keep your feathered friends comfortable.

First, you’ll want to come up with a brooder box for your newly hatched birds. Many people use a large cardboard box or an old plastic tote. You can even use an empty kids’ swimming pool! The trick is finding something that the ducks won’t be able to hop out of.

Brooding ducklings do best when the temperatures are kept around 90 degrees for the first week. Lower the temperature by a degree or two every week until the temperature inside the brooder is the same temperature are your outdoor low temps.

Or to keep things simple, give your ducklings a large enough brooder box that you can keep a heat lamp on one side (away from the food and water) and the ducklings can sit under the lamp, close to the lamp, or far away from the lamp as they learn to regulate their own body temps.

 

Once your ducklings don’t go under the heat lamp anymore, you know it’s time to remove it.

Along with temperature control, choosing the right bedding is essential for keeping the ducklings clean and dry. Ducks produce a lot of waste and require clean and dry bedding to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.

You can use several materials for bedding, including straw, hay, pine shavings, wood shavings or pellets, or even shredded paper. Change the bedding regularly and ensure that it remains dry to prevent mold, bacterial growth, and other issues. This is true both for the ducklings brooder box and and adult duck house or duck coop.

Ducks are hardy creatures that can withstand temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 90°F – especially when they have access to enough clean, fresh water to swim in. However, they do need protection from harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain, and extreme heat or cold.

You can provide this protection by building or purchasing a shelter that is well-insulated and properly ventilated. Make sure that the shelter is large enough for your ducks to move around comfortably, but not so large that it becomes difficult to keep the interior warm in colder months.

Finally, a proper shelter should provide protection from predators such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes, which can be a significant threat to your ducks. The shelter should have a secure door that can be locked at night to prevent predators from entering.

Consider installing fencing or other barriers around the perimeter of the shelter to further protect your ducks from predators. Or get yourself a livestock guardian dog (LGD) and train it to protect your feathered friends! (This is what we do.)

In conclusion, providing your ducks with a proper shelter is crucial to their health and well-being. Keep in mind that the shelter should provide protection from the elements, clean and dry bedding, and protection from predators.

With the right shelter, your ducks will feel safe and secure, enabling them to thrive and grow into happy and healthy adult ducks.

Cleaning The Duck Pen – Sanitation Tips To Keep Your Ducklings Healthy

Keeping your duck pen clean is crucial to the health and well-being of your feathered friends. By implementing proper sanitation techniques, you can ensure that your ducklings are protected from harmful bacteria and diseases.

Start by regularly removing wet or soiled bedding, which can quickly breed bacteria. Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the pen on a regular basis, paying special attention to areas where feces tend to accumulate.

 

Provide fresh water daily and consider adding some apple cider vinegar or some colloidal silver (or both!) to help keep bacteria levels low. With these simple tips, your ducks will enjoy a clean and healthy living space.

Bonding With Your Ducklings – How To Build Trust And Relationships With Your Feathered Friends

As a new duck owner, one of the most rewarding experiences is building a strong bond with your ducklings. Not only does it lead to more enjoyable interactions, but it can also make caring for them that much easier.

The key to building trust and relationships with your ducklings is patience and consistency. Spend time with them every day, talking to them in a gentle voice and offering treats.

Let them get used to your presence and touch by starting with short sessions of holding and petting. As they grow and start to explore their surroundings, be sure to create a safe and stimulating environment to keep them happy and engaged.

With time and care, your bond with your ducklings will only continue to grow stronger. Before you know it, your ducklings will be following you around like little lost puppy dogs!

Duckling Care Checklist

Here is a quick checklist that runs you through what you need to properly raise baby ducks.

• Clean, fresh water for swimming and drinking
• Clean, dry bedding changed regularly
• Shelter from predators, such as a secure coop or pen
• Proper temperature, ranging from 87-93°F for the first few weeks and decreasing gradually as they grow until they are fully feathered
• Safe duckling food, such as specialized feed containing at least 18% protein (possibly topped with brewers yeast)
• Treats like mealworms, scrambled eggs, fruits, and vegetables (in moderation)
• Regular cleaning of their living space to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi
• Monitoring for signs of illness or injury, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or injuries to their feet, wings, or eyes
• Socialization with other ducklings or adult ducks (if applicable) to promote healthy socialization skills

By following this checklist, you can ensure that your ducklings get the proper care and attention they need to grow healthy and strong. Raising ducklings can be a rewarding experience, and with the right care, you’ll watch them flourish into happy adult ducks.

Can I Raise Chicks And Ducklings Together?

Don’t Brood Your Chicks and Ducklings Together

While it may seem like a charming idea to raise chicks and ducklings together, there are several reasons why this is not an ideal practice. First, chicks and ducklings have different dietary needs, and feeding them the same food can lead to malnourishment and stunted growth.

Ducklings require a specialized feed that contains more protein and niacin than chick feed to support their rapid growth and development. And chicks need a medicated feed that will make ducklings sick.

Additionally, chicks and ducklings differ in their water requirements. Ducklings need access to a water source deep enough for swimming, while chicks require shallow water for drinking and cleaning themselves.

If raised together, chicks may become waterlogged and drown in deep water intended for ducklings.

Another concern is that ducklings produce more waste than chicks, and this waste can quickly accumulate and create unsanitary living conditions for both species. The ammonia from the duckling waste can be toxic to chicks, causing respiratory problems and other health issues.

Finally, as they grow, ducks can become dominant over chickens, leading to bullying and injuries. Ducks are larger and stronger than chickens, and their aggressive behavior can harm or even kill smaller animals. Separating them early on can prevent these conflicts from arising.

In conclusion, raising chicks and ducklings together may seem like a fun idea, but it can lead to several issues that affect the health and well-being of both species. It’s best to provide each species with the specialized care and attention they require, which includes providing separate living spaces, food, and water sources.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that both chicks and ducklings grow into healthy and happy adult birds.

Should I Incubate Duck Eggs Or Get Hatched Ducklings?

When it comes to raising ducks, there are two primary methods: incubating duck eggs or purchasing newly hatched ducklings. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and circumstances.

One of the advantages of incubating duck eggs is the ability to witness the entire hatching process from start to finish. It can be a fascinating and rewarding experience to see the ducklings emerge from their shells and take their first steps.

Additionally, incubating eggs allows for greater control over the breeding process, enabling you to select specific breeds or strains that meet your needs.

However, incubating duck eggs also requires a lot of time and effort. Maintaining the proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation levels can be challenging, and even minor fluctuations can result in low hatch rates or poor quality chicks.

Additionally, incubating eggs requires specialized equipment, such as an incubator, which can be costly. (And if you have a curious toddler like we do, you’ll have to work extra hard to keep the incubator out of reach – ask us how we know!)

On the other hand, purchasing newly hatched ducklings eliminates the need for incubation and enables you to skip the initial stages of raising ducklings. This can save a significant amount of time and effort, especially for those with limited space or resources.

Furthermore, purchasing ducklings allows you to assess their health and quality before bringing them home, reducing the risk of disease or other health issues.

However, purchasing ducklings also has its drawbacks. It can be difficult to verify the source and breeding history of the ducks, which can affect their quality and traits. Additionally, purchasing ducklings may limit your options regarding breed selection, as some breeds may be more challenging to find or may not be available at certain times of the year.

In conclusion, both incubating duck eggs and purchasing newly hatched ducklings have their advantages and disadvantages. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and circumstances, such as available time, resources, and goals for raising ducks.

Regardless of the method chosen, providing ducks with proper care and attention is crucial to their health and well-being.

What Time Of Year Should I Get Ducklings?

Deciding when to get ducklings can be a challenging decision for any new or prospective duck owner. There are pros and cons to getting ducklings at various times of the year, and your decision ultimately depends on your circumstances and preference.

One of the advantages of getting ducklings in the spring is that it aligns with the natural breeding season for ducks. This means you’ll have a greater selection of breeds and strains available, as well as the potential to breed your own ducks in the future.

Additionally, spring weather is mild and conducive to raising young birds, and there may be a greater abundance of fresh food sources available.

However, spring is also the busiest time of year for many duck owners, which can make it challenging to devote the necessary time and attention to raising ducklings. Additionally, springtime weather can be unpredictable, with sudden cold snaps or periods of heavy rain or wind that can challenge even the most experienced duck owner.

On the other hand, getting ducklings in the summer can be advantageous due to the warmer weather and longer days, which provide optimal conditions for raising young birds. Additionally, summer is a less busy time of year for many people, which may enable more time and attention to be devoted to raising ducks.

However, if you live in an area with hot summers, it’s essential to ensure that your ducklings have access to shade, cool water, and proper ventilation. High temperatures can be dangerous for young birds and increase the risk of heat exhaustion or dehydration.

Finally, getting ducklings in the fall or winter can be advantageous for those who live in milder climates or have indoor space available. Ducklings raised during these months have a lower risk of heat stress, and there may be fewer predators around due to hibernation or migration.

However, raising ducklings during the colder months requires careful attention to temperature regulation and may require additional heating equipment to keep them warm. Additionally, there may be fewer breeds available during these months, limiting your selection.

In conclusion, the best time of year to get ducklings depends on individual circumstances and preferences. Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.

Regardless of when you choose to get ducklings, providing them with proper care and attention is crucial to their health and well-being.

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