Just got ducklings and have questions

[loofa]

We just came home with 3 lovely little 5 day old khaki campbells. I did a ton of reading ahead of time, but within an hour, I have questions...

1. Does anyone know if there is a reason not to use shredded coconut husks for duckling bedding? I have some unopened from when I had chickens.

2. So far they are terrified of us. Which makes sense. I hope to have them as tame pets and so we are keeping their brooder box in the room that I work in. I've read that 5 days is too late for imprinting, but is there hope of them loving their humans?

3. They have a small water bowl with about an inch of water in it and after finding it and drinking and walking and out of it a lot one sat down and went to sleep in it. I know they don't have oil for repelling water yet, so I shooed it out, but wondering if I need to be vigilant about this? I'll get a different water vessel tomorrow that they can't sit in (I had been told that a bowl would do, but now I'm worried about them getting too cold and wet).

 

[Miss Lydia]

Something similar to this makes a great waterer. Give them time to settle in they’ll begin to see you as their feed person. And once they are around 2 weeks old you can offer some mealworms to win them over. Best thing you can do is sit with them and talk softly and try not to come down over top of them like a predator swooping in. My chicks and duckling sit On the table so they are up off the floor and I am not standing over them like a predator. Be sure to give them chick grit before offering any food besides their starter. Put it in a small bowl so they can use it as needed. Congrats on your new ducklings we’d love to see some pics

 

[DuckyDonna]

We just came home with 3 lovely little 5 day old khaki campbells. I did a ton of reading ahead of time, but within an hour, I have questions...

1. Does anyone know if there is a reason not to use shredded coconut husks for duckling bedding? I have some unopened from when I had chickens. I have no idea but @Miss Lydia will know.

2. So far they are terrified of us. Which makes sense. I hope to have them as tame pets and so we are keeping their brooder box in the room that I work in. I've read that 5 days is too late for imprinting, but is there hope of them loving their humans? there is always hope. Just spend a lot of quiet time sitting with them and treats are also a good way to spread the love.

3. They have a small water bowl with about an inch of water in it and after finding it and drinking and walking and out of it a lot one sat down and went to sleep in it. I know they don't have oil for repelling water yet, so I shooed it out, but wondering if I need to be vigilant about this? I'll get a different water vessel tomorrow that they can't sit in (I had been told that a bowl would do, but now I'm worried about them getting too cold and wet). that is definitely not a good idea to have a dish like that.

To start with you could have something like this and then graduate up to others. All made with stuff you probably already have around the house. I set a pan under the water dish with some hardware cloth on top and a soft rubber shelf liner from Dollar Tree on top to cut down on mess in the brooder. You want to have it so they can't get in the water dish for sure!

 

[loofa]

Those waters you two posted are brilliant! Off to go cut up some plastic food containers! Thank you thank you thank you. Also thank you for the raising them up so I don't seem like a swooping down predator.
Welcoming all duckling advice!

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Enjoy your poop machines.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just enjoy them littles they grow so fast you can just about see it happening.

 

[loofa]

@Miss Lydia do you know the answer to the coconut husk question?

Also, regarding taming - okay to pick them up even though the moment of being picked up is scary for them, and put them close to your body (like in sleeves or between shirt and sweater)? We did this and they seemingly calmed right down when cuddled up next to us, but the moment of catching them is scary for them - so wasn't sure if they are really calm or just petrified (not trembling), and if I'm doing more good with the snuggle or damage with the catching moment.

 

[EverythingDucks]

@Miss Lydia and @DuckyDonna gave you some great advice.
If you want to get them more used to you I would sit in a bathroom, or somewhere similar that's easy to clean the mess up and keep them close, and just feed them treats. Let them come up to you. To help with water and food spilling everywhere (they love to do that xD) I would set up something like this:

I don't know about the coconut husk but I would use puppy pads, so long as they're not the slick kind that give them splayed legs. Good thing about puppy pads is that you can get them pretty much anywhere.

I'm still very new to ducks myself but I hope this helps!

 

[EverythingDucks]

Also, can you send pictures please??

 

[loofa]

they are in a big movement moment so it's really hard to get a picture. Just making a mess as fast as they can.