New duck owner questions.

[QueenDuck]

Hi,
So I got two new Aylesbury ducklings yesterday and they are 4 days old now. (Three when i got them.) I have a few questions:

1) When I leave the room they always start peeping or if i'm sat at the computer and they can't see me.

2) I want to put them in my sink to swim some day but i'm not sure how old or how long I should let them swim for. I would but a brick in so they could climb out if they wanted to.


3) What age shall I let them roam around my garden and put them away in a shed or something at night?

4) What are their favourite treats.

5) As they are a boy and a girl, will they breed?

6) If they do, how will i know if the eggs are fertile?

7) If they do breed, will i have deformed ducklings everywhere are they are brother and sister?

Thanks
QueenDuck

 

[ariel4birds]

It sounds like they've imprinted on you. That's why they peep when you leave the room. They will get more independent as they get older.

I always say that you should watching ducklings the first few times they swim. And always give them some way of getting out of the water. Their duckling fluff can get waterlogged and then they can sink and drown if they are let unattended with no way to exit the water. As long as you are checking on them frequently, you can let them swim as soon as possible.

As long as it's a nice warm day outside it's fine to let them out as soon as you feel like it. As long as you're making sure they don't look too cold and they are in a safe area away from things that might try to eat them. They will probably need a brooder light especially during the night until they start to get a few adult feathers. 4-5 weeks. But they can be outside without heat as long as it's warm out.

If they are a girl and a boy, they probably will breed. But probably not until next year. Even if they are brother and sister they can probably still produce offspring. Although isn't not best to breed siblings, it happens all the time with ducks. The offspring won't necessarily be deformed mutants. Most really deformed ducklings won't hatch on their own. It's not something to be overly concerned about.

 

[jessiduck]

Hi,
So I got two new Aylesbury ducklings yesterday and they are 4 days old now. (Three when i got them.) I have a few questions:

1) When I leave the room they always start peeping or if i'm sat at the computer and they can't see me.

2) I want to put them in my sink to swim some day but i'm not sure how old or how long I should let them swim for. I would but a brick in so they could climb out if they wanted to.


3) What age shall I let them roam around my garden and put them away in a shed or something at night?

4) What are their favourite treats.

5) As they are a boy and a girl, will they breed?

6) If they do, how will i know if the eggs are fertile?

7) If they do breed, will i have deformed ducklings everywhere are they are brother and sister?

Thanks
QueenDuck

Well my answer to Q1: is the same as the previous comment! They have made an imprint on you! They officially view you as Mama Duck! This will become a blessing in the future trust me!
Q2: A duckling can start to swim from 1 week, but personally I do not feel comfortable with that! You can let them swim even at 2-3weeks.
Q3: You can put them outside and in a coop at night, around 5-6weeks old. Some people do it sooner, but 5-6weeks is more than enough time if you have a predator-proof coop and a covered run! Make sure your coop has a lock on the door and egg box and that your run is constructed securely. Keep predators in mind!
Q4. The way to a ducklings heart is peas! While they can have many things list here : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements
My ducklings favorite thing is defrosted frozen peas!!!!
Q5. If you have a boy and a girl then more than likely, at some point, they will mate and you will have more ducklings. Don't let those eggs sit! You have to collect them every single day! Sometimes they may go off and lay them somewhere else, but keep track of them especially if you have them free-ranging!
Q6: You will have to candle the eggs to see if you can see the embryonic sac. You can search how to candle on here!
Q7: Your ducklings shouldn't be deformed ! Very rarely will that happen! Just keep a close eye on them!

 

[QueenDuck]

Thanks for the replys guys!! Helps alot!
QueenDuck

 

[jessiduck]

No problem, Queen Duck! Wishing you the best of luck with your duckies!

 

[Mum]

My 2 1/2 week old duckling has a daily "walk" in the garden with me and has since it was 2 days old. S/he follows me around and then I take a seat and s/he began by sticking like glue between my feet. Now, she has a little explore a couple of feet away from where I sit; but that only lasts a few minutes then s/he's back to my shoes again. We've built up to a half hour exercise per session and then s/he goes back to the brooder.

I think I have the only duckling who doesn't like swimming though

but that's fine, I don't expect it to while it still has only baby fuzz. That will come in time.

S/he is already reaching a size where remaining in the brooder isn't going to be viable for much longer; at 4 weeks she will join my IR ducklings in a secure run in the garden.