Hatched today,,I need help,,

[flash5153]

Water dishes are very small glasses like a shot glass,,and I do have a bigger bowl in there but just a little water in it.

So far I have not seen the duckling eat,other than nibbling at the straw. But I have chicken layer feed in there now. I know I need something different.

What is the best thing for a baby duckling?? Was thinking of getting grower feed.

 

[desertdarlene]

With ducklings, all they need is a small amount of water to dip their bills in, not any more, especially at that age, or they can drown, so it sounds like you did good with that. They need water in order to eat or they can choke. They usually can go a couple of days without eating after hatching, so I'm sure the duckling is OK for now. As to food, I am not an expert on that, so someone will have to answer that. I know that having medicated feed is not a good idea for ducklings because they will eat too much of it and get too high a dose.

 

[monathequeen]

Hi again,
yeah you don't need to feed the duckling for the first two day's but make sure they have PLENTY of FRESH water. just enough to get the bill wet like the other person said. You need to go to your local Farm and Feed store and buy some poultry feed. I think you need 18% protein and buy a small feeder that they can get their little heads in. Feed them as much as they want at all times. You cannot over feed or over water. Do not feed them medicated food. I don't know what you feed your birds now but It's probably the same but more for layers. The food you want for the ducklings is "Grower-Starter" food.

There is so much more to know about raising your ducks that I cannot possibly cover here but you will have to ask questions as you go along. There are so many good books on raising ducks. I strongly suggest buying every kind of book you can find on raising ducks..
Really, the only thing you need to do for them is provide Water, Food, Shelter, Pool to bath in, grass to eat and a Predator Proof Run.
They will thrive as long as you provide these things and you will have hours of hours of Joy watching and learning from them. Ray

 

[desertdarlene]

Yeah, sorry if I implied that they don't need much water, I really meant that they don't need a deep dish of water, but they need water available all the time (and fresh, clean water).

 

[flash5153]

OK,,,someone said more pics,,lol,,here they are.


The other egg has not hatched yet,but I seperated the duckling from the hen. Put the hen and egg back in nesting box. The duckling is now in the house with a heat lamp.

Here are some pics. Introduced the duckling to the kittens.

 

[Rozzie]

Be careful. The kittens might hurt the duckling. It doesn't mean that they would mean to. It could happen by accident as they play.

Don't leave them together or where they could get together when you are not right there supervising.

 

[monathequeen]

How cute...LMAO...
You have a Pekin duckling I'm sure. I raise mostly Pekins. They are so beautiful when they are growing up. If you haven't done this yet, you can fill the bath tub with WARM water and let the duckling swim. Only fill about three inches. just enough for the duck toi get fully wet and then watch very carefuly while in the tub. They tire very easily and will drown if they get to tired to stay above water. Only let the duck swim for about ten minutes then take her out. They soak up all the water so it weighs them down is why you don't leave them in too long.
I would let her swim every morning and at night for a few minutes. They LOVE to swim and you will see them start going under water and getting fully wet. It's a blast watching them.
You never told me what your feeding your new duckling...
and has the other one hatched yet ?
NICE pic's....how cute.....Ray

 

[flash5153]

No havent tried the bath tub thing yet,,but will soon.
We have not made it to the store to buy duck food yet but have been feeding it layer chicken food and oatmeal for now. Im not sure if Layer is medicated. I know not suppose to feed ducks medicated food, but Layer is all I have for now.

The adult ducks are rather large and all white,,are they Pekins?? Im hoping the other egg will hatch soon I read it is not good to have only 1 duckling because they are very social birds.

I really dont know what I am going to do with this duckling when it gets older. I could put it in with the chickens or I could let it out in the yard and maybe it will join the neighbors ducks,its moma and daddy, and free range the neighborhood.
This is why I hope the other egg hatches soon so it will not be alone during all this. I candled it and it looks good, but a little worried because they have been together the whole time . Not sure why it didnt hatch with the other.

 

[monathequeen]

Layer food for adult chickens is not medicated. You only feed medicated food for chicks for the first 8 weeks. Then you switch over to Layer-Grower food. ( 16-18 % protein)
I assume your other chickens are adults ?
If your not sure of what kind of food you have, medicated or not, Do NOT feed the duckling that food. It should say on the bag .
Feed the duckling only NON-Medicated food.
It is very important to find out which feed you have on hand.
You can feed the duck oatmeal, cooked., bread crumbs...small pieces of peas, corn...

If the other duckling doesn't hatch, you can keep the duck with the other chickens, they will get along fine but not until the duckling is atleast 8 weeks old. otherwise, the chickens or roosters will bully the duck or even kill it. It's best to have atleast two ducks if your going to have ducks. the more, the merrier.
If you re-home the duck to the next door neighbors, that would be the best option but keep in mind that if the neighbors ducks are not locked up at night, you will almost definately loose that duckling to predators. I NEVER let my ducks free range without supervision. Hawks, Owls, Coyotes, possoms, wild dogs, Racoons will hunt them down and kill them. I learned the hard way. My animals are in lock-down at night.
If you decide to keep the duckling, buy a couple more and build a seperate coop for them. I have 12 ducks and I have a ball with them. They are so much fun to have....and require very little care....Good Luck.

...And the duckling you have is definately a Pekin. They are great layers and beautiful ducks.

 

[desertdarlene]

I agree, don't let the duckling outside to roam around with the other ducks (or even the chickens), it will be easy prey.

Also, the mom and dad will probably not take care of it and might be hostile to it, so it's best to introduce him to the older ducks when he's a few months old. If he's getting along with the chickens, he should be OK with them until he gets fully-feathered. Hopefully, the other egg will hatch and he'll have a playmate, then you can build another pen for the two of them.