New duck parent help please!

[Familiarrat]

I just got two mallard ducklings and all day they have been non-stop screaming, they have food, water, a duck lovey and a heat lamp, I don't know what's wrong, did they imprint on someone or are they just getting used to their home? Some advice please?

 

[picklestheduck]

I just got two mallard ducklings and all day they have been non-stop screaming, they have food, water, a duck lovey and a heat lamp, I don't know what's wrong, did they imprint on someone or are they just getting used to their home? Some advice please?

Do they seem distressed, like looking around worried at all?

 

[SilverBirds]

How hot is it in the brooder? Were they incubated by a broody or incubator? Does they seem to be distressed, or just peep-y?

 

[Familiarrat]

Do they seem distressed, like looking around worried at all?

No they're just walking around doing duck things and then will suddenly stop and start screaming at the top of their lungs.

How hot is it in the brooder? Were they incubated by a broody or incubator? Does they seem to be distressed, or just peep-y?

I feel like they're distressed but they were with 60 other ducklings before they came here, they were incubator hatched and the temperature is like 88-90° F

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Any chance of pasty butt? Picture of setup? Are they wandering in the middle, huddled in the center, or pushed against the edges of the brooder?

 

[Quatie]

A picture of the setup would definitely be good.

Are they located in an area of the house where there is a lot of traffic from people moving around. Or anything else that is around them that could potentially scare them. Ducklings, heck even adult ducks, can startle really easy at certain things. I gave a strawberry to one of my ducks and she looked at it like it would bite her . So that is one possibility.

I also find when I have just a couple of ducklings, they bond to you quicker if you spend time with them. And then they will start calling for you. OMG, it is both adorable and annoying at the same time. They will call you to come back and spend time with them. If they squawk when you are away and calm down when they see you, they just want to see you. Mine usually have done this when I am trying to go to bed.

 

[Familiarrat]

Any chance of pasty butt? Picture of setup? Are they wandering in the middle, huddled in the center, or pushed against the edges of the brooder?

Here's their setup except it has a heat lamp on it when they're in there. Usually in the center. I don't see where they avoid the heat or huddle towards it so

I don't think I see any pasty butt, but here's their booties.

A picture of the setup would definitely be good.

Are they located in an area of the house where there is a lot of traffic from people moving around. Or anything else that is around them that could potentially scare them. Ducklings, heck even adult ducks, can startle really easy at certain things. I gave a strawberry to one of my ducks and she looked at it like it would bite her . So that is one possibility.

I also find when I have just a couple of ducklings, they bond to you quicker if you spend time with them. And then they will start calling for you. OMG, it is both adorable and annoying at the same time. They will call you to come back and spend time with them. If they squawk when you are away and calm down when they see you, they just want to see you. Mine usually have done this when I am trying to go to bed.

They're just in my room which is usually just me to be honest they've quieted down some but they do seem to really like being around me so that might be part of it.

 

[SilverBirds]

No pasty butt. Maybe they just imprinted on you and don't like not knowing where you are. Cute and annoying at the same time.

 

[Quatie]

Here's their setup except it has a heat lamp on it when they're in there. Usually in the center. I don't see where they avoid the heat or huddle towards it so

View attachment 3076150

I don't think I see any pasty butt, but here's their booties.

View attachment 3076151
View attachment 3076152

They're just in my room which is usually just me to be honest they've quieted down some but they do seem to really like being around me so that might be part of it.

I can see a few potential issues with their setup. Aquarium cages can potentially cause issues. Birds are more sensitive to fumes in the air than other animals, and in an aquarium cage, the fumes would get trapped and concentrate. Tubs and such are often suggested for ducks and chickens, but it can cause a potential problem. Since they are going to quickly outgrow that cage anyway, I would think about another option. You especially wanted it set up so you can heat only part of the brooder so they can get away. An aquarium brooder is also going to trap that heat more.

Here is the brooder I use. There are a lot of threads on here where you should be able to get some other ideas for a brooder. I hear only one side of the cage. And one side is low so they can see out.

Secondly, their water dish is not good for ducks. They sell them at TSC and other places making people think those waters are ok. Even I am guilty of buying one in the beginning. The best option for a waterer is cutting up a Tupperware container. You want a waterer they can dunk their head in so they can clean their nares and eyes. It is important for their health.

Here is my water container I use.

I use a bigger one as they grow up, which is about a couple weeks later.

 

[Familiarrat]

I can see a few potential issues with their setup. Aquarium cages can potentially cause issues. Birds are more sensitive to fumes in the air than other animals, and in an aquarium cage, the fumes would get trapped and concentrate. Tubs and such are often suggested for ducks and chickens, but it can cause a potential problem. Since they are going to quickly outgrow that cage anyway, I would think about another option. You especially wanted it set up so you can heat only part of the brooder so they can get away. An aquarium brooder is also going to trap that heat more.

Here is the brooder I use. There are a lot of threads on here where you should be able to get some other ideas for a brooder. I hear only one side of the cage. And one side is low so they can see out.

View attachment 3076262

Secondly, their water dish is not good for ducks. They sell them at TSC and other places making people think those waters are ok. Even I am guilty of buying one in the beginning. The best option for a waterer is cutting up a Tupperware container. You want a waterer they can dunk their head in so they can clean their nares and eyes. It is important for their health.

Here is my water container I use.
View attachment 3076255

I use a bigger one as they grow up, which is about a couple weeks later.

View attachment 3076256

I will try these things! I think I have an old guinea pig cage they can use as a brooder though they might be a bit too small and fit through the bars