Is the baby duck OK outside?

[Margipargie]

Hello! I just had my first duckling hatch ever after having ducks for years, its a Peking / khaki Campbell mix, and only one out of the whole nest hatched today. The mom is a khaki and she's been very good at sitting on the nest all month and it seems like she's taking good care of the baby, but its raining super super bad outside of course and the baby is only a day old, the ducks have a little house in the back yard that has a nice comfy hay nest but isnt too good at keeping ALL the rain out, its just a pallet made house for them to sleep in when they want. What I want to know is, if the baby will be OK tonight? Its still 70 degrees outside but a little worried if the rain will be too much on it.. Thanks for any replies

 

[SonoranChick]

Please know that I have never raised ducks, only chickens. So take my advice with a grain of salt. I would leave the baby with its mama. Unless you're afraid of something major, like flooding, where the baby could drown, it should be ok in those temps. Sounds like the mom is being attentive. Is there any way you could provide better shelter for the ducks & the baby? Like maybe throw up a quick shade to protect from the drops of rain. Ducks can handle being wet of course but the baby needs a safe spot.

 

[Margipargie]

Hi thanks for the reply, as of tonight no I can't do anything since even tho they are my ducks they live in my moms back yard and I am across the neighborhood and also heavily pregnant so i can't build a better nose haha the house never gets flooded since it has a lot of hay its raised up from the ground so the water just kind of goes right through it, and the ducks are free range in the yard so they usually just do what they want. Even tho I've raised many store bought baby ducks I've never ever had one actually hatch so this is all so new to me! We kept our babys in a cage in the garage until they were old enough to take care of themselves in the yard, so I'm hoping my khaki will just naturally know how to keep her baby safe since I've never dealt with this situation before haha

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I'd suggest posting your question here -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

 

[SonoranChick]

Aw congrats to you being pregnant! Lol I can see how you might not want to go out there and construct a whole new house! I think it's special that your duck hatched her little baby while you are expecting your own just keep doing what your doing. Keep baby duck with her mama, keep a good eye on them, and let nature take its course.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Kiki]

Welcome aboard!
We are glad you joined our flock.
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[Margipargie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I'd suggest posting your question here -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

Thanks! Not quite sure how to work the site yet haha

 

[Margipargie]

Here's the new baby, another side question ? Why is the dad trying to kill it and he's being especially aggressive to the mama? He's the only drake we have, so its definitely his baby haha

 

[SonoranChick]

She's so cute! If drakes are anything like roosters, they can be aggressive. Especially to newcomers, or babies, and this one is both. I would try to keep the male away for now. What an adorable little duckling you have there