I recently aquired 3 baby Mallards from a neighbor who bought them as pets but decided they were too much work (she was planning on letting them into the wild, I couldn't bear the thought of those little guys getting gobbled up or starving!) So I am now suddenly the happy, yet nervous, momma to 3 little ducklings & I just want to make sure I'm doing things right for them. They are 3-4 weeks old (according to my neighbor). They have grown ALOT in the 10 days I've had them!
Their brooder is a shallow plastic container with a smaller container inset to keep the water from flooding their pine shavings. I keep them in the dog crate & I made bumpers for the sides out of cardboard covered in contact paper (to keep them safe just in case my cat gets curious!)
On the advice of the people at the local feed & grain store, I'm feeding them 'Home Fresh" brand poultry feed mash. I fill the bowl whenever its empty & give them fresh water 4-5 times per day- just today I switched from the red waterer in the picture to a deeper tupperware container that I cut large semi-circles out of the lid for them to be able to dip their heads & bills. I empty & scrub the entire cage every morning, then remove the wet/poopy bedding several times per day. Its alot of work! Any critique or advice on my setup & routine would be great!
They swim in the sink at least once a day for 15 mins- they LOVE it & its really adorable! We also let them run around the kitchen a few times per day so they can stretch their legs. The smallest one has started panting periodically today, which is concerning. It is pretty hot today, but my house is 78 F & they've had 2 coolish baths today. Should I call the vet or give it a few days?
(They don't love to be held & tend to run away from us, but my 11 yr old daughter is working on that!)
I plan on ordering a backyard chicken coop with an attached enclosed run & a kiddie pool to use as a pond. I've read that I should wait until they have their grown up feathers before I let them outside- I'm not sure how soon that will be, they have not started molting yet.
We live in southern NH & I was told by the people at the feed store that my Mallards will more than likely fly south for the winter (unless I clip their wings, which I don't plan on doing). I'm more than happy to give these ducks a loving healthy start to their lives & then let them fly free.
I would be grateful for any advice, tips, tricks from fellow duck owners! Thanks in advance!
Their brooder is a shallow plastic container with a smaller container inset to keep the water from flooding their pine shavings. I keep them in the dog crate & I made bumpers for the sides out of cardboard covered in contact paper (to keep them safe just in case my cat gets curious!)
On the advice of the people at the local feed & grain store, I'm feeding them 'Home Fresh" brand poultry feed mash. I fill the bowl whenever its empty & give them fresh water 4-5 times per day- just today I switched from the red waterer in the picture to a deeper tupperware container that I cut large semi-circles out of the lid for them to be able to dip their heads & bills. I empty & scrub the entire cage every morning, then remove the wet/poopy bedding several times per day. Its alot of work! Any critique or advice on my setup & routine would be great!
They swim in the sink at least once a day for 15 mins- they LOVE it & its really adorable! We also let them run around the kitchen a few times per day so they can stretch their legs. The smallest one has started panting periodically today, which is concerning. It is pretty hot today, but my house is 78 F & they've had 2 coolish baths today. Should I call the vet or give it a few days?
(They don't love to be held & tend to run away from us, but my 11 yr old daughter is working on that!)
I plan on ordering a backyard chicken coop with an attached enclosed run & a kiddie pool to use as a pond. I've read that I should wait until they have their grown up feathers before I let them outside- I'm not sure how soon that will be, they have not started molting yet.
We live in southern NH & I was told by the people at the feed store that my Mallards will more than likely fly south for the winter (unless I clip their wings, which I don't plan on doing). I'm more than happy to give these ducks a loving healthy start to their lives & then let them fly free.
I would be grateful for any advice, tips, tricks from fellow duck owners! Thanks in advance!