MALLARD THREAD...not rouens, Mallards!

[Miss Lydia]

Hi everyone I am new to this, and to keeping ducks. We rescued 5 tiny ducklings on Friday (i am guessing theywould have been about a week old) and i would love some of your knowledge on how to raise them. Unfortunately last night we lost the smallest one. I am now worried that we might lose another, although is eating and drinking it doesn’t appear to be growing as fast as the other 3. Is this normal to have one that doesn’t develop as fast as the others? It is not like its not able to get to the food or water it manages to push its way through and is not being chased off by the others. They are the funniest of little things and love to have a lukewarm bath (obviously supervised) the larger 3 are now swimming underwater going from one end of the bath to the other. The kids think its great to watch. I will upload some pictures tonight so you can have a look.

and bless you for rescuing the ducklings, it's amazing how many are rescued each year , no telling how many are lost. And yes it is normal to lose some especially when you don't know what kind of stress they went through before you found them, also loss of heat, dehydration. Sounds like your doing a good job. You might want to pick up some poultry vitamins and add to the water to help the tiniest one and it will also be good for the rest. You could also have 2 feeding stations so you know for sure the one is getting enough to eat. look forward to pics. a bit of info... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[philipchickymad]

anyone know when i can let my duckling who has been living in the coop for 2 wks but the hens can see them and he can see them but thay cant bully him because of the chicken wire seperating them anyone no when he can live with them hes around 3.5 weeks old HES RESCUED

 

[chickenlver2013]

anyone know when i can let my duckling who has been living in the coop for 2 wks but the hens can see them and he can see them but thay cant bully him because of the chicken wire seperating them anyone no when he can live with them hes around 3.5 weeks old                                                               HES RESCUED 

I turned mine loose when they were four weeks

 

[Miss Lydia]

anyone know when i can let my duckling who has been living in the coop for 2 wks but the hens can see them and he can see them but thay cant bully him because of the chicken wire seperating them anyone no when he can live with them hes around 3.5 weeks old HES RESCUED

When you try it be there to watch for a while to make sure the hens don't start pecking on the duckling. Hens are peckers and could put a hurting on the duckling who really has no defense

 

[ugly duckling]

Finally got round to taking some pictures. As you can see one is a lot smaller than the others, do you think he/she will be ok?? eating well and drinking loads.. My other half wants to move them into the shed at the weekend but i am not sure if he/she will be ready, what do people think??
i have started putting them in the run during the day and they love it, even put them in with the guinea pigs and they were fine (supervised).

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Sadly but it likely won't live if its not growing. We occasionally get 'runt' ducks, never grow past a certain point and just die. Never could explain it, asked here a few times. If she's growing she could just be small. Best of luck, I hate being the person who says that it won't live even if it seems fine D: maybe try adding some Vitimans and niacin to her food, and yes, 2 feeding places would help.
We have a little drake, so cute, he's getting his big boy feathers in. Can't wait till he looks like a drake, gets more boy-e every day!

 

[ugly duckling]

Thanks for your honesty, i know in my heart that it should not make it, but part of me so wants it to... its a little fighter and pushes its way in between the others to get to food and water i just hope it has enough in it to make it to adulthood. My daughter will be devastated if it does die but as i have told her its natures way and not everything makes it. Will let you know how it gets on.

The other thing is at what age should they start flying? we are planning to let them come and go as they please but do not want to leave them outside if they are not able to fly propperly. Obviously i know that they are two young at the moment lol but trying to prepare the garden for later on.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for your honesty, i know in my heart that it should not make it, but part of me so wants it to... its a little fighter and pushes its way in between the others to get to food and water i just hope it has enough in it to make it to adulthood. My daughter will be devastated if it does die but as i have told her its natures way and not everything makes it. Will let you know how it gets on. The other thing is at what age should they start flying? we are planning to let them come and go as they please but do not want to leave them outside if they are not able to fly propperly. Obviously i know that they are two young at the moment lol but trying to prepare the garden for later on.

If your setting out more than one feeder then hopefully it's getting enough food. you want to make sure it gets to the feed bowl with out a struggle. and adding some ACV unpasteurized or poultry vitamins will also help. Other than small size it looks bright eyed and healthy.

 

[Mallardmomma21]

i have 3 babies left 3 weeks old there moma and all they brothers or sisters got attacked by a pair of foxes and out of 20 ducks three r left

 

[Miss Lydia]

i have 3 babies left 3 weeks old there moma and all they brothers or sisters got attacked by a pair of foxes and out of 20 ducks three r left

So sorry