A single duckling brooder box?

[Serrogateduckmom]

Hi, I have a single duckling that is one week old. It spends a lot of time with me, laying on my chest and digging into my hair and sometimes even in my hooded jacket.

I have a Rubbermaid tote with a heat lamp that is it’s brooder box, but I do not see it working for much longer; because I cannot secure it without putting the lid on it and it isolates the duckling too much with the lid on it.

What do I do with this baby duck?!

How long will it need to stay in this box?

Can you give me some suggestions on a sort of “travel” type of box that I can use for in the car or if I’m planning on going somewhere for a couple days and I need to bring Chirp with me, should I maybe try to set something up utilizing a dog crate?

I keep reading things online about how bad it is to have a single duckling and will likely die. Is this really true? What should I do? I can offer the duckling 24/7 uninterrupted attention since I don’t have to leave for work or anything currently.

Are duck diapers useful??

I can’t slow down this little poop machine!!!


Should I add anything special like toys or a mirror or play recordings of the sounds of ducks for this little single duck?

Is there any type of bedding I should AVOID?

 

[Penpal]

By itself your duckling will have social issues when it meets with other ducks. Have you ever seen a wild duck alone? They are programmed to be in a group and feel safer that way. I would get it a duckling friend, two or three friends would be better.

To your question, the thing a duck likes best is a body of water.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Hi, I have a single duckling that is one week old. It spends a lot of time with me, laying on my chest and digging into my hair and sometimes even in my hooded jacket.

I have a Rubbermaid tote with a heat lamp that is it’s brooder box, but I do not see it working for much longer; because I cannot secure it without putting the lid on it and it isolates the duckling too much with the lid on it.

What do I do with this baby duck?!

How long will it need to stay in this box?

Can you give me some suggestions on a sort of “travel” type of box that I can use for in the car or if I’m planning on going somewhere for a couple days and I need to bring Chirp with me, should I maybe try to set something up utilizing a dog crate?

I keep reading things online about how bad it is to have a single duckling and will likely die. Is this really true? What should I do? I can offer the duckling 24/7 uninterrupted attention since I don’t have to leave for work or anything currently.

Are duck diapers useful??

I can’t slow down this little poop machine!!!


Should I add anything special like toys or a mirror or play recordings of the sounds of ducks for this little single duck?

Is there any type of bedding I should AVOID?

Look on craigslist near you and see if there are any ducklings around that age that you could get as a friend for them. I would avoid paper bedding. Sawdust flakes are great. If you need to take him places with you a dog crate would probably work as long as they have water and food and can't fit through the holes, make sure you always have some water in your car for them.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Look on craigslist near you and see if there are any ducklings around that age that you could get as a friend for them. I would avoid paper bedding. Sawdust flakes are great. If you need to take him places with you a dog crate would probably work as long as they have water and food and can't fit through the holes, make sure you always have some water in your car for them.

A dollar store doormat works well as a liner for the crate

 

[Serrogateduckmom]

By itself your duckling will have social issues when it meets with other ducks. Have you ever seen a wild duck alone? They are programmed to be in a group and feel safer that way. I would get it a duckling friend, two or three friends would be better.

To your question, the thing a duck likes best is a body of water.

Thanks for your reply. I was worried about it having social issues. I will consider getting a couple companions for it asap.

I’m leaning towards a guinea pig/small animal cage, I can put a board down so it’s not walking on the metal plus shavings etc for bedding to soften the floors. The rubber made tote just is too unsecured, it requires the lid be on for containment which gives the duck no view of the outside world and probably inhibits its oxygen intake.

this type of containment would only be used when traveling for the day to a friends house or used in the car etc not for full time at home type of housing.

For that I would definitely provide water for swimming and drinking as well as a gravity feeder and heat source.

I imagine the open sides of a typical bird cage would not allow for the higher temps that the duckling requires to thrive at such a young age. Especially since I do live outside in a tent. I do however have power and can supply it with a radiant type of plug in heat source as well as a heat lamp…

Any other ideas? I’d love to hear them.

 

[Serrogateduckmom]

Look on craigslist near you and see if there are any ducklings around that age that you could get as a friend for them. I would avoid paper bedding. Sawdust flakes are great. If you need to take him places with you a dog crate would probably work as long as they have water and food and can't fit through the holes, make sure you always have some water in your car for them.

That’s an excellent idea, the dog crate. I will look into that. Also I have contacted someone with week old ducklings right now. Will they for sure get along with my duck since they’re so young?

Thank you.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

That’s an excellent idea, the dog crate. I will look into that. Also I have contacted someone with week old ducklings right now. Will they for sure get along with my duck since they’re so young?

Thank you.

How old is your duck? They should because He is older but there are more of them so the odds are even

 

[my spoiled chickens]

If that doesn't work then try an integrating technique there is an article on that somewhere on here(If I find it I will post a link)

 

[Serrogateduckmom]

How old is your duck? They should because He is older but there are more of them so the odds are even

So I should opt for maybe a duck under a week old to add in with my one week old duck? And should I just get one other companion or multiple? I’d hate for two or three newbies to band together and never bond with mine. :-(

 

[aart]

Where did you get this duckling?
Do you have other fowl?