New Baby Wood Duck Picture...

[Deedee]

They are so... incredibly cute!!!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Reuben! They are darlings. Congratulations!

I'd read somewhere that Wood ducklings had to be dropped from 'such and such height' before they would begin to eat.
Hahaha, I didn't read that, though, til mine were a week or so old.

Lisa

 

[duckboatprincess]

My uncle tried to raise some and his all died. He asked a wildlife rehaber and they said the same thing. The babies need to fall out of the nest to break a bone in their chests to survive. I don't know if this is true or not... anyone know for sure?

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
do manderins babies need to do that

 

[chickensioux]

Awwww! Wood ducks are so beautiful. You are so lucky. Those are cuties.

 

[RHewitt]

I read it was difficult to get them to to eat but I was lucky enough to have about three chicks that hatched a couple days before under a broody hen. They are sharing a brooder and the chicks have shown the ducklings where the food is. The waterer has several bits of food in it so I am sure they are dipping their beaks in it too wash some down.

I find it hard to believe they must break a bone to survive. Many ducks simply jump out a nest box only a few feet above the water for a soft landing and they do just fine.

I will keep you guys posted as I learn through the process.

 

[RHewitt]

Better picture...Sorry did not realize that photo bucket would delete a posted picture if I removed it from my album.

My son is thrilled with these little guys and I have taught him how to hold them without causing them harm. Of course he calls them "Duckies"

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Adorable! I will be hatching some Mandarins, and I will be putting some call duck eggs in the incubator a couple days before. Ive read that putting them in with chicks or domestic ducklings is a good idea because it teaches them how to eat.

Did you have a hard time getting them to eat?

 

[xke4]

Although it is true, they often drop a great distance when leaving their nest, it is not necessary for them to drop in order to be stimulated to eat. They don't eat well at first because they are so skittish. There is a marked difference between the Mallards that I rehab and the Wood Ducks. Mallards settle down and catch on to eating almost right away, but I have to entice the Wood Ducks with mealworms cut into tiny bits, tender new shoots of grass finely minced, cricket bodies (heads and legs removed) and duck weed. They settle quicker if raised in a very quiet room.

 

[RHewitt]

I have watched them close and they are eating very well. I really feel the three chicks did the trick on teaching them to eat the starter food. I will try some small green stuff and meal worms as well. I have a small pond full of tadpoles and I think I will net a few and see if they go for it.