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Sunflower0306 said:
Greetings! Bear with me I’m new on here. So much information and I definitely need it.. I am new to raising ducks. I have a male/Drake peeking and a female magpie. She hatched six ducklings within the last 24 hours. We are in the thick of January in the Midwest. They seem to be doing OK one though I have been keeping an eye out for it doesn’t seem as active as the others. Mom is super protective. I have them in a safe place in the barn with a heat source and hemp bedding. I have put a shallow dish of water. And another with flock raising food.
So I have so many questions, and probably some I haven’t even thought of yet. Do I need to leave them alone and let nature take its course. I really don’t like stressing mom out.
I will openly receive any comments, suggestions, personal experience, and of course, encouragement. Thanks.

PS… in the second photo, the one that is by itself is the one that isnot as active. I did remove it, brought it in the house and checked it over it perked up quite a bit so I quickly returned it to mom.
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Sunflower0306 said:
I will double check on the bag. This is what was suggested for newly hatched ducklings. I read about the niacin and how important that is also. Thank you very much for your input. 😅
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It is for newly hatch duckling. It has plenty of niacin and high in protein..

So the one in the picture kind of laying down, I was quite concerned about after posting. I brought it in the house in a clean, safe enclosure with, Water and Feed. It is so wobbly, but is drinking plenty of water, and I added some feed for nutrients in another shallow dish with water. It seems to have taken to that pretty well. I just don’t think it’s acting right. The other five with Mom are doing great. This duckling is not definitely would not have made it out there so I’m glad I brought it in. I am monitoring closely any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sunflower0306 said:
It is for newly hatch duckling. It has plenty of niacin and high in protein..

So the one in the picture kind of laying down, I was quite concerned about after posting. I brought it in the house in a clean, safe enclosure with, Water and Feed. It is so wobbly, but is drinking plenty of water, and I added some feed for nutrients in another shallow dish with water. It seems to have taken to that pretty well. I just don’t think it’s acting right. The other five with Mom are doing great. This duckling is not definitely would not have made it out there so I’m glad I brought it in. I am monitoring closely any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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You might stop by our Ducks Forum for more help with the little guy... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/
 
Sunflower0306 said:
Mama is doing what mamas do best❣️
I just worry about them getting nutrition. I’ve read they’re good for about 48 hours before they start needing to eat and drink. Has that been your experience? Will mama show them?
We are dealing with unseasonably warm weather for the next week so that is good. We just came out of a deep freeze. But I know those ducklings need to stay pretty warm.
The one that I felt was struggling a little bit. I also noticed its siblings were pecking at him/her a bit. If I do have to pull that one out, is it best to pull another one so it’s not by itself?
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Sadly, the Ducks we hatched (i've only hatched them once. But we've bought them from stores and raised them). They're Mama got k!lled, so I don't know much about Duck brooders. But from my Broody Chicken Experience, yes. Mama will show them how to eat, if you have food out for them. Have you tried fermenting they're food? (its when you get chicken/duck food and pour some water in it. You let it sit for like 3 days, before giving it to them. But for our brooder, we just let it sit for about 2 or 3 hours). If you have a Heatlamp, and they're going under mama (and mama is allowing them) they should be fine. Yes, you should Pull out another one (from my experience, Ducks don't like being alone). For Nutrition: Use Rooster Booster, I used this for my Chicks. And I'm pretty sure you can use it for Ducks too, its like this Powder. You put in they're Water and then mix them up
 
Hi! Your ducklings are sure cute! I hope the little one gets off the struggle bus and everything goes well for them and their hatchmates! I wish I could give you better advice but I've only raised chicks. I'm glad the others have given you some good information.

Thanks for joining and welcome to BackYard Chickens!
 
Blue Andalusian said:
Sadly, the Ducks we hatched (i've only hatched them once. But we've bought them from stores and raised them). They're Mama got k!lled, so I don't know much about Duck brooders. But from my Broody Chicken Experience, yes. Mama will show them how to eat, if you have food out for them. Have you tried fermenting they're food? (its when you get chicken/duck food and pour some water in it. You let it sit for like 3 days, before giving it to them. But for our brooder, we just let it sit for about 2 or 3 hours). If you have a Heatlamp, and they're going under mama (and mama is allowing them) they should be fine. Yes, you should Pull out another one (from my experience, Ducks don't like being alone). For Nutrition: Use Rooster Booster, I used this for my Chicks. And I'm pretty sure you can use it for Ducks too, its like this Powder. You put in they're Water and then mix them up
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Thank you for that advice. I saw what you were talking about. I was so unsure when I went to family center and nobody was any help so I stood there for 30 minutes, reading ingredients and comparing. I settled for the duckling electrolyte packet for now. It seems to be doing a little better. I didn’t want it imprinting on me, but it does not like when I leave it. It’s has good heating. I put a digital thermometer in there so I’m keeping it where it should be and it’s drinking quite well. I have a little mix one with food and water with a little bit of electrolyte all mixed together then two other separate bowls with food and then one with good clean water. It is under heat and I found an old fuzzy hat. It seems like nesting in. So far so good I hate that it’s alone but I also hate to pull another one now that it’s been with Mom for 24 hours. I’m pondering if it’s still good tomorrow trying to sneak it in with the bunch I’m afraid it has imprinted me. I have no experience with this. It’s doing the happy wiggle When I lean in and talk to it. I hate saying “it” but of course I don’t know the sex. For now its name is “sugar baby”. Only because Mamma is “duck ducks sugar” and dad is just “duck duck”! Gotta keep the humor up around here. 😅
Praying everything goes good through the night. 💕
 
All ducklings are doing great. The little one is thriving and back with the bunch.
Thanks for the encouragement!
 

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