Baby ducks winter time

[Wendy Felicia]

Hello new to NYC and a new duck owner any help will be greatly appreciated! My Ancona just hatched out 7 ducklings in the last 4 days. We just entered into a two week very cold snap and expecting another storm Sat. Momma is leading ducklings off nest. One has frozen and another I was able to catch before it got to cold and put back in nest. I have a heat lamp over the nest and a smoker going in our greenhouse for warmth.

My question is, should I bring the babies in and hand raise them. I know it would be best to leave them with mom, but she is being somewhat inconsistent. I am scared I am going to lose them all :\
Thanks so much
New duck owner

 

[bluemerle]

A lot of people bring in hatched babies to hand raise them! It tends to make them more people-friendly. If you've already lost one, and are concerned about losing another, I'd definitely bring them in.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It does sound like that would be best unless you can keep mama and ducklings inside where it’s warmer. In the green house I mean

 

[Wendy Felicia]

It does sound like that would be best unless you can keep mama and ducklings inside where it’s warmer. In the green house I mean

Yeah I really want momma to raise them. Someone suggested a broader box. So I have a plastic pool I will get.all set up for them. Help contain and keep them warm with the heat lamp while mom goes off and does her thing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good idea as long as she can get back in with them that should work but ducklings can jump pretty good so make sure they can’t get out and not be able to get back inside.