Hi I am about to get some new ducklings and I wanted to know what some of the best things to know about them are and what to do and how to keep them healthy so thanks in advance for any suggestions
Baby ducks can't swim!
Wet baby ducks are like wet baby chicks- they get cold & croak. Use a chick waterer for at least the first 2-3 weeks while they are only wearing baby fluff & haven't to their real feathers. Their water can start out a chick waterer, but as they reach 3-4 weeks, they'll need a deeper water bowl so they can completely immerse their bill. They have to be able to wash out their duck nostrils!
But, a big planter's saucer which is about 3 inches deep, filled with water they can flutter around in as they are fledging to real feathers is great! They can't get themselves soaked or drowned.
Once they fledge, they will begin using the oil glands by their tail to coat their new feathers & so they can both float & so paddle atop shallow water. TIL THEN, THEY CAN DROWN OR GET HYPOTHERMIC REAL EASILY trying to swim!
Fledged-out Ducklings (3-4 weeks they'll "fledge") without a mom, can't get out of deep basins & pools without some rocks or "steps". They also can't fly out of pools & basins like you see startled wild ducks do- taking wing right from water- can't do it, yet!
They need higher protein feed that chick/layer crumbles to grow right. The medicated chick feed isn't good for them unless you are also feeding them "treats" of mealworms & bugs 'cause there is a different amount of niacin in medicated chick feed. Just get them "mixed flock"crumbles or duck feed. Its 20-22% protein vs. Layer crumbles at 16%. Get them their own feed. They LOVE Mealworms or live worms, too!
The babies will imprint on you & follow you around if you gently work with them & gently hand-feed them goodies. They don't need bread!
It's not even good for them! Empty carb calories!
They are bug, slug & worm eaters. My gardens are fenced & so I take the baby ducks into the garden with me & they are crazy over bugs!.
I have NO grasshoppers or caterpillars in my duck patio!
I've taught mine as they grew to adults, to climb steps of a 4-step doggy ramp to get onto an old endtable where I have their feeder. It is just fun to watch them climb up & down the steps. They are better at going "up" than "down" cause of how their adult bodies are built with their bodies sort of out in front of their legs. They will flutter off their feed table as often as they'll walk down, but they always walk up, not fly up to the feeder!
They LOVE being cuddled as ducklings. The more you play & hold them, the more tame they will be with you as they grow up. Mine are Rowen Ducks: 5 of them. I do get eggs. When their feeder gets to the powdery remains, they waddle up the ramp from their patio, to my front deck & start quacking for me to come feed them! They are silly & loving if you handle them daily & will give you hours of fun interacting with you.
PS: Mature males 5-6 months are after females unceasingly! They will beat a female to death unless you have more hens than drake's!
Either separate them once mature or plan to reduce your Male ducks to 1 Male for each 2-3 Females or your females will be run ragged & all but defeathered from males grabbing them.
