Duckling has imprinted on us, what do we teach it?

[duckyfromoz]

What a gorgeous baby you have Brex. Charlie is lucky to have you all looking out for him. Ducks really do make awesome pets- something that people who have never had one sometimes dont understand.

They do tend to have strange sleeping positions when so little. But once he gets some feathers and wings happening- he is more likely to sleep in the more usual way of the head tucked in under a wing.

 

[Brex]

Recently Charlie seems to be scratching a lot.
Usually I assume this to mean lice or mites and as the outside chickens are covered in them I figure he's got em too...

We usually use Diatomaceous earth in powder form to dust them... but i'm not sure how safe it is to use on young ones...?

Would it be safe to use a few pinches on the little fellow?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Since he hatched inside the house its unlikely he has lice - more likely just the skin is faking making him itch as he is growing so fast. He is too young for lice treatment to be put directly onto him.

But if you are really worried -being so little- you could easily see them on him if you look. I have had plenty of rescue goslings over the years that were lice ridden. They would attach around the eyes- which was easy to see- but because the down is short- you can see them crawling around.

 

[Brex]

Thanks Ducky!

Although Charlie was hatched indoors his egg and had some lice on it... We could see them crawling around.
We've both noticed one or two on our hands and such after handling him also... sorry not to mention this before.

I did look around his eyes but noticed nothing there. His fuzz is so thick it's hard to search through!

He really seems to worry about his body a lot now.

Is there anything I can do about it or will he have to tough it out for a while?

 

[duckyfromoz]

Are you sure they are lice? Sounds strange you would see them on the egg.

If you are sure- use the DE- but be careful with it - especially near his face. You may have to redust every time he has a swim for a number of days until there is no more sign of them. Be very careful though. You may need to resort to using chemicals to eradicate them in your flock outside though. DE will kill pests- but you need to break the breeding cycle as well to get things under control.

 

[Brex]

I'm pretty sure...
The sitting hens were pretty full of them, I guess some just hitched a ride...

Also,... I managed only a handful of hours last night as Charlie would not stop chirping!
Only flopping my hand out and near him seemed to reassure him.
This is a first, usually he'll only wake up once a night.

He is now cheerfully pecking at my keyboard without a care in the world as I guzzle black coffee already late for work...

I think I shall try the D-E today and just be very careful.

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have had many nights with a brooder beside my bed with one arm hanging down in with the ducklings...lol My lone little Muscovy luckily is very quiet and although very happy to be picked up out of the brooder- is happy enough in there without to much fuss. They do tend to go through different stages - more independent at times and also very clingy. Hope it was just a one night thing and he lets you get some sleep tonight. Do you have a mirror or soft toy in the brooder for him??

 

[Brex]

Haha, yeah I hope it's a once-off too!

Yes Charlie has a mirror and some rubber ducky toys.
Maybe he just needs more exercise during the day, I hear indian runners need a fair amount of running around for their legs to develop.

Need more coffee...

 

[Caddy-Corner-Chick]

Charlie is such a cutie!! I am new to ducks, and loved reading your story. I have 3 little ducks that were given to me, and I have no idea their ages or exactly what I am doing but hope they imprint on me soon so I can just love on them. I bring them fresh water every few hours, so they know me as the water lady. They peep and come over to get their fresh water, but if I reach for them they run from me.

I heard I can give them pea's crushed up and hard boiled eggs with the shell on... So I think I may go do that.

I love the name Charlie Too!

 

[Brex]

Done and dusted!

Hopefully this will stop all of us from scratching and help with the sleeping...
A small sacrifice for a new family member I guess.

Thanks Caddy, yeah he's adorable! Cheeky and a huge mumma's boy, but definitely lovable.
I hope it's not too late for yours to imprint too! It's a commitment and a half, but now I'm realising what a fantastic and loyal animal the humble duck is!

We gave Charlie a big bowl of water for swimming, but found out with a shock he was terrified of going in!
We figured we'd leave it till he's a bit older and try again, but we have found he loves to splash small puddles about!