What to do when ducklings first hatch?

CyndiD said:

AND THEN THERE WERE 3

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EEEEEEBEEEEPEEE!! Such kute little kissable 'lings.

how are the duckies doing?

I've been super busy...partly taking care of 23 ducks!

I didn't use to love the mallards so much. They never really relax with you. Now though, I'd be sad to live without them. They are hilarious to watch, always busy, always something to say and in fact, they know what we want them to do when it's time go back in the pen, etc.

huckleberrypres said:

I didn't use to love the mallards so much. They never really relax with you. Now though, I'd be sad to live without them. They are hilarious to watch, always busy, always something to say and in fact, they know what we want them to do when it's time go back in the pen, etc.  

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Awe!! I adore my mallard, too! He is handled every day by my 4 year old and he will fall asleep in my lap. He is very tolerant, follows her when she's outside and he also knows "go to bed" which means to go in the duck house for the night. I couldn't be more in love with our first born duckling

That is a CUTE drake and I'd give anything for a cuddling duck!

Our muscovy Tinkerbell hatched some mallard babies today sometime, more muscovies to come. We are watching them closely. Will take photos tomorrow. We have another mallard laying on a mystery nest some where. We're going to be having ducklings all fall...

Ok first time here letting ducks and chickens hatch....i have my buff duck separated from the flock.... question for how long after they hatch should I keep them separate from the rest?

huckleberrypres said:

okay. that was exactly what I needed to know.

Interestingly, the answer became clear moments before you responded. I heard a duck commotion and went to check it out. "Happy" the newly randy muscovy was attaching my mommy mallard. The clear thing to do was put a fence up do exactly what you described. Now it all makes perfect sense!

I'm very excited and grateful! I never had ducks before, never thought about having ducks before and it turns out I totally am in duck love. I'm happy tending to the duckies.

Thank you!

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I know the feeling. I have seen so many Muscovy chicks not survive after a week of hatching, that I had to intervene. My neighbor had a nest of 21, that hatched. The nest was in her patio and covered. When the chicks hatched I made an 8" wood frame, which protected the chicks from Drakes and other possible predators. As they grew, I added a 24" chicken wire fence around them. Their Mom was able to fly in and out at will. I also had them on security camera, and was able to play back from midnight to see if there were any predators roaming the area. I saw one cat, but it did not notice the nest. To make a long story short, we kept them in this coop from Thanksgiving, when they hatched till Christmas. We covered them when it got cold (were here in S. Florida) getting down in the low 40's for a few days. We released them and all was well for several days, they would visit every day, I saw them learn how to swim in the lake, but unfortunately we lost several. We have nine large ducklings that survived, and are waiting to see them fly. It was sad to see them dwindle. But I think they have stablized now to nine. A few had walking issues, and we kept them in a dog cage for a day or two, this really helped them, releasing them when their sibblings and mom appeared. Now I have another group of 12 eggs from another mom, who lost all 10 chicks a couple of months ago. I have vowed to try to save some of her chicks. As her chicks dwindled we noticed that she was acting depressed about it. So I promised her I would provide protection this time. We live on a lake with turtles, otters, and have a variety of birds, storks, ducks etc. So there is much peril for the chicks. Also, we have sighted an alligator about 6 months ago. But my wife and I, and my neighbor really enjoy tending to the ducks needs and are concerned for their welfare. It is a very rewarding experience for us.