My four ducklings turned 3 weeks old on Tuesday. As of right now they are still in my bedroom. They have a box with their heat lamp which I keep them in at night and during the day I have them in a small kiddy pool. They are getting so big and are starting to get their feathers now. The problem is they are super clingy and want attention from me non-stop. I love that they're so friendly with me but I don't know what to do to keep them busy when I'm not with them. They have started to get out of both of their brooders and run around my bedroom getting into things!
Are there any activities to drain some of their crazy energy? Or toys they can play with? They get short supervised swims a few times a week, and I clicker train them which they love!! I have given them a stuffed animal which they love to pull around and snuggle with, a jingly cat ball which they love pushing around and their favorite by far is when I give them crumpled pieces of paper or tissue. They carry them around and chase each other for them, it is the cutest thing!!
But they still seem very bored. :/ If I'm in my room and I'm not paying attention to them they will hop their pool and come waddling over to me, tugging at my pants legs for attention. Did I accidently make them too clingy? They are very outgoing, mischevious and love people. I want them to be very comfortable and eager to be around people, but worry they may getting too dependent for their own good.
The weather is finally getting warm here, it's supposed to be in the 60-70 degree range this weekend and next week. Are they old enough to play outside during the day for short periods of time now? We have a small fence where they could safely play while we supervise them and when they're done bring them back inside. We are actually probably going to construct a small are for them to stay in our garage now, with more room and still their heat lamp until they are old enough to be moved outside permenantly.
Sorry about all the questions, I'm a worrisome, first time duck mom.
Here is a pic of them going for their first swim at a week and a half old. Sorry, I don't have any recent pics of them on this computer, but they are twice this size now.
Are there any activities to drain some of their crazy energy? Or toys they can play with? They get short supervised swims a few times a week, and I clicker train them which they love!! I have given them a stuffed animal which they love to pull around and snuggle with, a jingly cat ball which they love pushing around and their favorite by far is when I give them crumpled pieces of paper or tissue. They carry them around and chase each other for them, it is the cutest thing!!
The weather is finally getting warm here, it's supposed to be in the 60-70 degree range this weekend and next week. Are they old enough to play outside during the day for short periods of time now? We have a small fence where they could safely play while we supervise them and when they're done bring them back inside. We are actually probably going to construct a small are for them to stay in our garage now, with more room and still their heat lamp until they are old enough to be moved outside permenantly.
Sorry about all the questions, I'm a worrisome, first time duck mom.