How much feed should I need per duckling?

[Boshaft]

I have them in wood shavings right now, think that's soft enough? The ducklings seem to eat a bit of it, but they are still eating the pellets. Here's a couple of pics:

Boshaft

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have them in wood shavings right now, think that's soft enough? The ducklings seem to eat a bit of it, but they are still eating the pellets. Here's a couple of pics:

Boshaft

Most including me put something like old towels or rubber shelf liner over top of shaving for at least first week because they eat them. like in your second pic. they can be washed and reused and keep lil ones from ingesting the shaving. They sure are cute..

 

[Boshaft]

I have the towels back in now; I'll keep em in there for a week like you suggested. Any tips on greeting them to bond more? I've been holding and talking to them, but one in particular just isn't catching on

Boshaft

 

[Amiga]

Boshaft, I found that with my eleven babies, four or five of them were fairly bold and friendly, the rest hung back a bit. I just spent as much quiet time near them as I could, and Brooder II was large enough for me to actually sit in I would sit in the brooder after cleanup, and let whoever was brave enough cuddle up.

Perhaps you could set up a safe space where you can sit on the floor and have them around you. Bring a book, and let them be used to you.

Also, at about three weeks, no matter how much progress you make, they may suddenly act terrified of you. It is a phase of development, and you need to hang in there, eventually they calm down. I think it is a survival mechanism.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And you have to keep in mind they are not cute lil cuddly puppies, Ducks really don't like to be held but i find if i am outside they will come around and hang out, when they get a little older buy some dried meal worms and start giving some out when your with them, just sitting quietly .Not many of my ducks want me to hold them but they will come up and eat out of my hand.

 

[Boshaft]

Heh ya I'm treating them a bit like I raised my dog, lots of time with them sitting on my stomach as I watch TV. Most of them seems to settle right down and go to sleep, but one is convinced that she's going to die and is constantly nipping at me. I'm just trying to break this behavior asap, before she gets big enough to hurt me. Might just be a mean duck though Their breeder is 4'x4', so I might put down a fresh towel and sit in it with them for a bit today.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good for you, we have a drake 11/2 yrs old who we raised in the house [his mama decided when he hatched she was going to kill him] anyway we brought him in and he lived inside with us for 3 months along with 4 inside dogs, He did have time outside with all the other flock members but he still to this day loves for us to hold him and follows us around like a puppy, not the norm though by any stretch of the imagination. He even comes inside through the doggie door. The only problem we had with him was last year when he became sexually active he wanted me to be a part of his harem which was a nightmare till i finally convinced him it wasn't going to happen. lol and he wasn't one to give up easily, I spent alot of time on here for support and a few just said to cull, but that wasn't even in my thoughts. He is just the most awesome drake now, I love that when he sees us through the window that he wags his tail and is always wanting to be petted. Hopefully your lil one will calm down and realize your it's keeper and you mean it no harm. But like Amiga said they go through so many changes as they are growing so be prepared for the "I think she is going to eat me phase" it will pass though.