Raising Duckling Alone

HaileyBelle

Chirping
7 Years
May 28, 2013
18
5
84
Illinois
Hey all! I just got a new baby! But theres an issue, I have to raise him/her alone. Ive been looking on craigslist for a while now for 2 little babies and I found someone with 6! (Yay) So I sent her an email asking if 2 were still available and she told me that 5 of them were going to be picked up in a day or two. So me being the person I am said I would come get the other one. She brought out the one that no one else wanted and now he's mine. I believe he was born the 9th, not 100% but that is one of the days she told me. Now for the questions, since I am raising him alone what do you guys recommend, beside getting another duck. He has a mirror and stuffed animal with him. I have also found that he likes music. Today is the first day that he will be alone most of the day. Since I am a senior in high school. My mom said she will check on him ever so often to make sure he is doing all right. Another question I have is how do I make him super friendly? Since I got him yesterday Ive been trying to hold him. He's super terrified when I try to get him or put a new paper towel down, but once I am holding him, wrapped in a towel he seems happier. He just seems scared. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Added:
Also, I have 6 other ducks that will be 1 in August, so one he is big enough he will be with them and the chickens!


 
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@HaileyBelle Congrats on your new baby, best info I can give is right here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

This lil one is going to be very lonely with out a buddy [you or another duckling] so maybe you ought to check with some feed stores in your area and see if anyone has ducklings. as for getting him use to you wrapping in a towel is a good ideas makes them feel secure just be careful the lil one doesn't wiggle out and fall to the floor.

Also just sitting and talking with it, sitting is alot better as far as feeling like it's being preyed upon. Standing and coming down over top is really scary for prey animals.

Such a cutie.
 
Ducks are flock and community birds. They feel safer and less vulnerable with at least one buddy! They depend on each other!

---So I agree with Miss Lydia, you should try your very best to get him a little friend so he's not alone all day! He needs a little buddy.

Bye the way, your duck is a cutie! <3 <3 <3
 
Raising a duck alone can be a good thing too. For instance if you have the time to spare and enough attention to give the little guy he will bond with you much easier, be an easier duck to handle as he gets older, and he could still be a successful little duck as we have raised many ducklings alone and by themselves before and they have been easier to handle and most joined into into the flock with no problems.

Also a great way to get ducklings thinking that you are mom. you feed them and talk to them. Just sit with them if he is still in the brooder just sit outside the brooder and talk nicely for a while. Do this alot and when he starts to warm up to you id recommend a bath. Which hopefully is an unfamiliar environment. so when he sees you there he will go to you for comfort.
 
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Raising a duck alone can be a good thing too. For instance if you have the time to spare and enough attention to give the little guy he will bond with you much easier, be an easier duck to handle as he gets older, and he could still be a successful little duck as we have raised many ducklings alone and by themselves before and they have been easier to handle and most joined into  into the flock with no problems. 

Also a great way to get ducklings thinking that you are mom. you feed them and talk to them. Just sit with them if he is still in the brooder just sit outside the brooder and talk nicely for a while. Do this alot and when he starts to warm up to you id recommend a bath. Which hopefully is an unfamiliar environment. so when he sees you there he will go to you for comfort. 

Thank you so much! We do want to try to find him a friend but the only possible way is a tractor supply store and the closest one is over an hour and a half away. He definitely won't be alone to much as my mom and brother are home most of the time. I make sure to socialize with him before I go to school and after just so he starts to know who I am. Again thanks so much!
 
Thank you so much! We do want to try to find him a friend but the only possible way is a tractor supply store and the closest one is over an hour and a half away. He definitely won't be alone to much as my mom and brother are home most of the time. I make sure to socialize with him before I go to school and after just so he starts to know who I am. Again thanks so much!

Look at craigslist and ask around your community there maybe someone hatching ducklings.
 
Look at craigslist and ask around your community there maybe someone hatching ducklings.


I have been looking! Thats where I found this guy. I live about an 45 min from chicago so were in an area that no one has chickens or ducks so its difficult. But ask of last night he seems to be super happy.
 
Ducks will die if they get lonely they are a herd species. So either get him a friend or put him with your older ducks,
 

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