We bought some fertile eggs for a broody hen to hatch and the breeder threw in a couple of duck eggs from his breeding pair of Silver Appleyards (these are purebreds and he spent almost a year working with another breeder to get them). Anyway, the SAs are very young and I think he really didn't expect the eggs to be fertile but on a lark tossed them in. WELL, the chickens-chicks hatched under their surrogate momma and I moved the duck eggs to the bator. We now have ONE silver appleyard baby and a duck momma (ME!) who knows nothing about ducks. I've done some research on the Internet but it would seem that comparatively speaking there is very little info on hatching ducklings....what temperature do I keep the brooder at? 90? 95? I"ve got the unmedicated chicken mash & added water to it...it's pretty darn soupy. I've got a water dish set up with rocks in it just like I do for my chicks. I put a beanie baby SIZED pet safe plush toy in the box for a "pal." Should I pull one of the sex link chicks (1 week old) from the "nursery" and put it in the brooder with baby duck or just let him be alone? I understand these ducks are rare-ish and this little one seems to be healthy and strong...I certainly don't want to screw anything up. ANY help you could offer would be most appreciated! many thanks!!
It might be worth trying to find another very little duckling somewhere to brood with your little one, or as you suggest- keep in in with the chickens. Although ducklings can be very messy- one alone isnt going to completely destroy your brooder.
Thanks for the advice. What temp do I keep the brooder at? Clarence/Clarice hatched out last night and stayed in the bator til this morning. S/he is completely dry and eating & drinking.... The chicks were hatched by a bantam in the hen house and have been in the nursery (a rabbit hutch) with mom since day 2. It's about 95 degrees F here in the day...70 at night. What temp do I try to keep the brooder at if I move a chick baby inside with Clarence/Clarice? Thanks so much!!
Brooder temp of 90 degrees is good. I usually only use regular light bulbs, since they don't need as much heat as other birds do. I then reduce the bulb's wattage rapidly and they are off heat when they are 2 weeks old. I basically watch the ducks. They sit under the lamp they need it. They move away reduce the wattage. A second duckling would be great, but you will get a very human oriented duck if you keep it by itself. I've never given a cuddle toy to any of my ducks, just cat toy balls to play around with. Adding a chickling will be fine too.
when I had a lone duckling I stuck a mirror in with her, it was her best friend (besides me) until she was 6 months old. She's now out with the other ducks and a very happy gal, she's now 9 months old and will still come to me when I call her and let me pick her up..in fact she's spoiled rotten and proud of it LOL Michelle
