My duckling has a new house (pics)

[sandcat]

My duckling (named Ming Ming by my daughter after the duckling on wonder pets) well and truly needs more space, he has spent alot of time in a large bird cage, getting let out to run around on the table, it also has an enclosure to run around in outside on the grass. This is all temporary until I get it a friend as its lonely and needs to be outside more. here are some pics of Ming Ming.

Ming Mings new spaceous home

 

[sandcat]

any opinions and recomendations on how to make the enclosure better are very much appreciated.

 

[easttxchick]

Ming Ming is adorable.

He/she looks teeny in the big box. Nice idea for a ducky brooder.

 

[sandcat]

I just bashed out the shelves with an axe, had to get Ming Ming something bigger

 

[chowyungfatso]

Cute!

Don't know what the temperature in your space is, but you may wish to give MM a heat lamp.

Also, the water basin shouldn't be too deep until MM gets older, I have read that ducklings can drown in water that's only an inch high. We actually don't have a "pool" in the brooder we have.

You may want to consider putting the drinking water ON a baking pan so that the water that MM will invariably spill out won't soak into the newspaper (cover the baking pan with another layer of paper so MM won't slip)!

 

[justmeandtheflock]

Good idea! If the newspaper gets too wet you might want to try an old towel in the bottom. Ming Ming and her girly are both adorable

 

[sandcat]

There is a bowl in the bottom of the "pond" and ive seen him get out on his own, I change his bedding when it needs it and its warm enough here at the moment, its summer

thanks for the advice on the other things, I have just moved the enclosure into the lounge with us, its the hottest part of the house and he is with us so he should be happier i hope.

 

[PlumTuckered]

Ming Ming is adorable! I would also hang or place a mirror in there, that way Ming Ming will have a ducky companion to "talk" to.

Michelle

 

[kuntrygirl]

Absolutely beautiful !!!

 

[Dances with Ducks]

So adorable! Is he a muscovy?
At his age a big plastic bin with wood shavings will do for a few more weeks at least. Keeps him and his mess contained, you should get the clear kind so he can see out. I found some that are about three by two and a half feet.
Like Plum Tuckered said a mirror would help him feel a little less lonely, also a stuffed animal or even a feather duster taped to the side will help also.
If you use a heat lamp be sure your set up will allow him to have space to move away in case it gets too hot. Ducklings need less and less heat as they grow.
When he moves outside you will need to consider that he is warm enough, sounds like you are in the south if you have grass available this time of year, but no matter where you are ducklings outside without a momma will need help to be able to stay warm enough until their grown up feathers are in. At this age in the summer I would put mine out in a covered preditor proof run during the warmest part of the day and have them in the house in a plastic bin the rest of the time. But they were in groups so they could bunch up to stay warm. I put a box on it's side so they could get in if needed, but when they are really little they aren't always wise enough to think for themselves about keeping out of the cold or rain.
Another big deal about putting them outside is preditor protection. Where ever you are there will be preditors that will go for ducklings, even in a town so you will want to be sure to keep them safe.