I made a PowerPoint all about raising ducklings so I decided to share this information with you. I hope this helps any one with their setup and I'm open to any questions.
Supplies:
•Box/x-pen/kiddie pool
•Heat Lamp
•Thermometer
•Food
•Feeder
•Water Bowl
•Cookie Pan & Rack
•Bedding
Setup: Step 1
Place a box, x-pen, or kiddie pool in an out of the way area where pets and children cant get to it. You may need to get a bigger size as they get bigger, eventually moving them outside. Generally, about 1-1.5 square feet per duckling is good. If you use a kiddie pool it’s recommended that you put a gate around it to keep them in as they can jump quite high.
Step 2
Add bedding. You can use either wood shavings or puppy pads. Puppy pads can be a cleaner option though you will need to change it more often. Don’t use newspapers as they can slip and injure themselves. They could also get splayed legs with this, which is when their legs go out to their sides and then cannot support their body weight. You can also add a blanket or towel as shown below.
Step 3
Add heat lamp. Without their mother, ducklings cannot keep themselves warm. Start at 90 F and change it by 5 every week until matching outside temp. Be sure that it has a guard for safety, and a red filter so not to stress them. If they huddle under the light it may be to cold, it they are hiding and widely spread out it may be to hot. If they are scattered then its about right. You could use a heating plate instead (though more expensive) and raise it as they get older.
Step 4
Add food and water. Ducks can be messy, to keep it cleaner you can add a cookie pan with a rack on top so that all the food and water go though the holes. Be sure that their feet can’t get stuck in them. When choosing a water dish be sure they can dip their whole beak in so they can clean out their mouth and nostrils.
Step 5
Put the ducklings in. You’ll want to sit and watch for the first hour or so to be certain that they find the food, water, that the temperature is good, and that they cant get out. You can also check for health issues before they get out of hand.
Supplies:
•Box/x-pen/kiddie pool
•Heat Lamp
•Thermometer
•Food
•Feeder
•Water Bowl
•Cookie Pan & Rack
•Bedding
Setup: Step 1
Place a box, x-pen, or kiddie pool in an out of the way area where pets and children cant get to it. You may need to get a bigger size as they get bigger, eventually moving them outside. Generally, about 1-1.5 square feet per duckling is good. If you use a kiddie pool it’s recommended that you put a gate around it to keep them in as they can jump quite high.
Step 2
Add bedding. You can use either wood shavings or puppy pads. Puppy pads can be a cleaner option though you will need to change it more often. Don’t use newspapers as they can slip and injure themselves. They could also get splayed legs with this, which is when their legs go out to their sides and then cannot support their body weight. You can also add a blanket or towel as shown below.
Step 3
Add heat lamp. Without their mother, ducklings cannot keep themselves warm. Start at 90 F and change it by 5 every week until matching outside temp. Be sure that it has a guard for safety, and a red filter so not to stress them. If they huddle under the light it may be to cold, it they are hiding and widely spread out it may be to hot. If they are scattered then its about right. You could use a heating plate instead (though more expensive) and raise it as they get older.
Step 4
Add food and water. Ducks can be messy, to keep it cleaner you can add a cookie pan with a rack on top so that all the food and water go though the holes. Be sure that their feet can’t get stuck in them. When choosing a water dish be sure they can dip their whole beak in so they can clean out their mouth and nostrils.
Step 5
Put the ducklings in. You’ll want to sit and watch for the first hour or so to be certain that they find the food, water, that the temperature is good, and that they cant get out. You can also check for health issues before they get out of hand.
