Best things to know about ducklings

[nimrah]

Also I was wondering I have a female hen she is 4-5 months old and I was wondering if I could give her the ducklings and it would be like she was their mother

try that in the beginning and watch their reactions and behaviour if they don't get along, keep them away. but if the case is that one is left out try getting it back to the hen and its siblings.

 

[Mariakissinger132]

try that in the beginning and watch their reactions and behaviour if they don't get along, keep them away. but if the case is that one is left out try getting it back to the hen and its siblings.

Also I was wondering do I have to wait till their a certain. Age or like in the wild where they live outside their whole life

 

[justin shrew]

Am i being wrong if i say it depends on the species of duck? Yes, muscovy ducks can swim, but their feathers are not built to be in water since muscovy ducks don't produce much oil (above the tail). Most of wild ducks hatch their ducklings and take them to water. And can bear harsh weather's.

Ducklings or gosling raised from the hatchery or store brought shouldn't be let to dive on deep waters. Because they don't have water-resistant feathers. In the wild the mother duck rubs her tail gland oil and spread it through her belly feathers where ducklings also rub themselves to be watwr proofed.

 

[Mariakissinger132]

Am i being wrong if i say it depends on the species of duck? Yes, muscovy ducks can swim, but their feathers are not built to be in water since muscovy ducks don't produce much oil (above the tail). Most of wild ducks hatch their ducklings and take them to water. And can bear harsh weather's.

Ducklings or gosling raised from the hatchery or store brought shouldn't be let to dive on deep waters. Because they don't have water-resistant feathers. In the wild the mother duck rubs her tail gland oil and spread it through her belly feathers where ducklings also rub themselves to be watwr proofed.

Well if I let them with the female duckling (their mother well kind of) for a week can they swim with her and also how old do they have to be before they can go outside and live in a coop with their mother (also known as my other female duck)

 

[justin shrew]

If they are with their female mother, then they can go swimming, even within 5 hours of hatcing. The only important thing is the oil that helps the ducks swim.
To how old can they be outside and roam as they please? Ducklings are much stronger than chicks or guineafowl keets. As long as the mother won't free ranger far from home, you can let them out between 7 to 10 days. Let them go outside, let them go taste the delicious grass, let them go chase the insects at edge of the pond, but that you'll be teaching to know the real world. And sound the alarm if danger when a falcon passes by.
Ducklings are easier than chicks, since they don't need too much care. But when letting them out. The weather must be pretty warm.

 

[Mariakissinger132]

If they are with their female mother, then they can go swimming, even within 5 hours of hatcing. The only important thing is the oil that helps the ducks swim.
To how old can they be outside and roam as they please? Ducklings are much stronger than chicks or guineafowl keets. As long as the mother won't free ranger far from home, you can let them out between 7 to 10 days. Let them go outside, let them go taste the delicious grass, let them go chase the insects at edge of the pond, but that you'll be teaching to know the real world. And sound the alarm if danger when a falcon passes by.
Ducklings are easier than chicks, since they don't need too much care. But when letting them out. The weather must be pretty warm.

Well they are not with their mother but I was hoping I could buy them with another female and maybe she could take them in

 

[Mariakissinger132]

If they are with their female mother, then they can go swimming, even within 5 hours of hatcing. The only important thing is the oil that helps the ducks swim.
To how old can they be outside and roam as they please? Ducklings are much stronger than chicks or guineafowl keets. As long as the mother won't free ranger far from home, you can let them out between 7 to 10 days. Let them go outside, let them go taste the delicious grass, let them go chase the insects at edge of the pond, but that you'll be teaching to know the real world. And sound the alarm if danger when a falcon passes by.
Ducklings are easier than chicks, since they don't need too much care. But when letting them out. The weather must be pretty warm.

Ok well it’s summer in Ohio so I was hoping that my female Pekín could take in the Pekín ducklings we are getting soon and I was wondering if they could go outside with her but I didn’t know what age they needed to be so thanks in advance

 

[justin shrew]

Okay. Is the Pekin duck a mother to ducklings or a foster mother?

 

[Mariakissinger132]

Okay. Is the Pekin duck a mother to ducklings or a foster mother?

No she would be a foster mother and she isn’t a mother to any other ducklings

 

[justin shrew]

If the Pekin mother, mothers the ducklingsnaturally, then shell have to Brood them at night, and lead the way to the feeds.

And if she monitors them around, and walk them to the side of the river. But not brooding them when in need. Then do not let the ducklings go outside or for swimming. Wait until they are about 6 weeks old. By that time they'll have been grown a juvenile plumage and can produce their own oil gland.

Important note: a special gland called the uropygia is one key physical trait that helps keep ducks on top of water. Since duck feathers resist getting saturated with water. The bird weigh less than they would if their feathers absorbed that water. Withought uropygia gland to render them waterproof, ducks would drown. So sometimes we must compare the life of domesticated birds to their wild cousins.

So best wishes for your duckling