Help Urgently Needed! Trembling Duckling

[DuckGirl365]

When you say enclosure, is there a heat source they can get to? I didn't have a heat lamp, so I put a heating pad under 1 end of the bed I made for her, and piled a small towel up onto part of it (since she's an only duck and had nothing to cuddle in her bed) She could get over there when she was cold and had a place to retreat if she wanted. But baby ducks need outside heat sources. Just make sure it's nothing too hot, and not direct heat because they burn easily too. That's why the heating pad was on low and UNDER the bottom of the bed. Just warm to the back of my hand.

Their enclosure is two bins with an opening between them. One of the bins has their food and water and the other is just bedding with the heat lamp shining down on it. (Sorry about the poop, but I'm sure you've seen lots of it ).

 

[chickens really]

Definitely not enough room and can be outside

 

[DuckGirl365]

Definitely not enough room and can be outside

I'm just afraid to keep them outside all night as they are barely 2 weeks old and it's been getting down to the low 50s here lately (and dropping). I'm sure it works okay with your mother duck sitting with your ducklings, but I've done a lot of reading that says to wait until they're fully feathered before putting them outside. It may not be a ton of room, but we give them baths in a full-sized bath tub everyday and I'd rather keep them inside a little longer where they're comfortable than risk them getting too cold outside.

 

[DrHawkeye07]

Yeah, 2 weeks is too early to be outside. Your research is leading you to do the right thing. By 5 weeks they should be feathered enough. A kiddie pool or large cardboard box from an appliance could be used for the next phase of brooding so they have more space.

 

[chickens really]

I'm just afraid to keep them outside all night as they are barely 2 weeks old and it's been getting down to the low 50s here lately (and dropping). I'm sure it works okay with your mother duck sitting with your ducklings, but I've done a lot of reading that says to wait until they're fully feathered before putting them outside. It may not be a ton of room, but we give them baths in a full-sized bath tub everyday and I'd rather keep them inside a little longer where they're comfortable than risk them getting too cold outside.

Definitely a choice you need to be comfortable with. Outside half the day would be okay too..

 

[DuckGirl365]

Yeah, 2 weeks is too early to be outside. Your research is leading you to do the right thing. By 5 weeks they should be feathered enough. A kiddie pool or large cardboard box from an appliance could be used for the next phase of brooding so they have more space.

Yeah, we moved our old Khaki ducks to a kiddie pool once they outgrew their bin. The tricky part is keeping them in the pool, as they always seem to find a way to escape haha. We had to wrap chicken wire around the kiddie pool last time, I'll have to look into the appliance box thing for this time.

 

[chickens really]

My momma Ducks do not cover Ducklings past a week old..

 

[Raenh]

I absolutely love that bin idea and wish I would have thought if it when speedy and fancy were growing up!

 

[DrHawkeye07]

Definitely a choice you need to be comfortable with. Outside half the day would be okay too..

Yes, I should clarify that outdoor time when the weather is good is healthy for your ducklings.

 

[DuckGirl365]

Yes, I should clarify that outdoor time when the weather is good is healthy for your ducklings.

I would agree with that. We kept them outside when we got them at the end of the summer while it was still nice out, but the incoming fall weather has got me a little more wary to do so. I'll definitely still keep an eye out for sunny days to take them outside.