I have no idea what I am doing

[Ravynscroft]

Worked from home today. I took Lucky outside for some fun!

FIRE THE TORPEDOES!

Now every time I see a duckling dive, it is Lucky's dads looks of pure terror I see!

I can't take it he is so cute!

ok, dads... now here's a new tip for you... next time one of you is near a pet shop stop in and pick up a few Rosies or the small Comet feeder goldfish... might try this with a water bowl first, but just dump them in the water and let him figure it out... bet it doesn't take him long!

 

[Steven Mazzo]

Do ducks nails keep growing like a gogs and eventually need to be cut?

 

[MageofMist]

Do ducks nails keep growing like a gogs and eventually need to be cut?

I think like chickens, their claws will keep growing. Maybe put a brick or another rough surface in his enclosure he can hop up onto and naturally file down his claws? My chickens haven't needed their claws clipped as they have a concrete and grassy part of the yard, both parts they enjoy using when out and about.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Do ducks nails keep growing like a gogs and eventually need to be cut?

yep, some need to be trimmed some dont

 

[Jack Speese]

You may have to "help" the duckling out by removing the shell from the head end of the egg so the baby can stretch its neck out and breathe. I know that this isn't ideal, and there will be bleeding from the shell, but it can be very hard to get conditions just right for waterfowl in a still air incubator, esp. a homemade one (although I applaud your ingenuity). The moisture/humidity and the turning are a lot more critical than with chicken eggs, in fact it's very difficult to do enough turning in a still air incubator. I've frequently had to help ducklings out in a still air incubator, and they did just fine and grew up strong. If they can't get out on their own for whatever reason, they eventually become exhausted and die. In nature the weak ones are eliminated this way, but neither a still-air incubator nor a homemade one is "natural."

 

[Kusanar]

You may have to "help" the duckling out by removing the shell from the head end of the egg so the baby can stretch its neck out and breathe. I know that this isn't ideal, and there will be bleeding from the shell, but it can be very hard to get conditions just right for waterfowl in a still air incubator, esp. a homemade one (although I applaud your ingenuity). The moisture/humidity and the turning are a lot more critical than with chicken eggs, in fact it's very difficult to do enough turning in a still air incubator. I've frequently had to help ducklings out in a still air incubator, and they did just fine and grew up strong. If they can't get out on their own for whatever reason, they eventually become exhausted and die. In nature the weak ones are eliminated this way, but neither a still-air incubator nor a homemade one is "natural."

You're a little late. The duckling is out and 3 weeks (?) old now. There are videos on the page before this of him swimming.

 

[A.Coarsey]

His waterer isnt that deep but I did give him a good pan to play in and he can dunk his head in it.

My duckling has not only survived and adapted to his new home but he has gained some tail feathers and gotten fat! lol I let him play in the tub when I got home and he was very happy, made cute little chirrup noises and kept flapping his wings and dunking his head.

 

[Ravynscroft]

My duckling has not only survived and adapted to his new home but he has gained some tail feathers and gotten fat! lol I let him play in the tub when I got home and he was very happy, made cute little chirrup noises and kept flapping his wings and dunking his head.

Yay!! Good to hear!

No more hiding his head then?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Do ducks nails keep growing like a gogs and eventually need to be cut?

Like Liz said, yep, some do some don't... Lucky most likely will being on grass more than anything... the scissor style cat or dog nail trimmers work best... watch out for the quick, hard to see in dark nails... best to just set up a regular routine nail trim time and just trim the tips... if they overgrow it's much harder to get them back down than to just keep them at proper length...

 

[A.Coarsey]

He still is a little shy of being picked up but I think he will get used to it, he has calmed down way more than he was when I first got him. Now I need to look at more long term caging ideas for him and stuff like that. He is right now on my mom's back porch. I live in an upstairs apartment with no backyard so I am a little stuck. My mom has just bought land and they will be building a house there soon but not soon enough. Maybe I can keep him at her place for now but any ideas would be appreciated. I do not really want an indoor duck, but if I need to does anyone have any ideas on how to make that easier? I understand he would definitely need outside play time and most likely a pool to play in while being supervised. Again, it is not ideal but I may need to get creative temporarily.