New Ducklings

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

View attachment 1919795 I just recently bought 4 flying mallard ducklings from McMurray hatchery. They are sooooo cute. Any advice on raising Ducks from your own experiences would be fantastic. I am currently feeding them a chick starter with niacin supplements and mealworms for added protein, also they have grit. Is this ok to feed them for now. Also I spend as much time handling them as I possibly can to try and make them friendly, they are still timid of me but once they have been on me for a minute they start to calm down. What are some other things I can do to help make them less afraid of me?

Love them and sit quietly with them offering snacks ! I did this daily and my two Indian Runner Ducks are very friendly and spoiled but tame !

 

[PioneerChicks]

So my ducklings are no way imprinted on me. They still scatter when my hands are in their box. But now all 4 of them are calling for me like they want me. It’s so loud. Why are they doing that?

When a chick peeps loudly it means they are either hungry, thirsty, hot, or cold. I think it is the same with ducks but I'm not sure.

 

[Skylar Marie]

View attachment 1919795 I just recently bought 4 flying mallard ducklings from McMurray hatchery. They are sooooo cute. Any advice on raising Ducks from your own experiences would be fantastic. I am currently feeding them a chick starter with niacin supplements and mealworms for added protein, also they have grit. Is this ok to feed them for now. Also I spend as much time handling them as I possibly can to try and make them friendly, they are still timid of me but once they have been on me for a minute they start to calm down. What are some other things I can do to help make them less afraid of me?

Definitely give lots of snacks! I usually just sit near my ducklings and will have treats in my hand that way they are the ones approaching me so they know I’m not a threat and after a little while they start to get more comfortable and will start to hop on me and cuddle with me.

 

[chickenpal147]

When a chick peeps loudly it means they are either hungry, thirsty, hot, or cold. I think it is the same with ducks but I'm not sure.

They weren’t out of food or water. And the temperature in the brooder is perfect because they aren’t screaming now. They seemed to settle down when I turned on some classical music.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Interesting. I have heard that chickens like guitar music but I haven't found out if that is true.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Check this out!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/do-chickens-like-music.351262/

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

So this is really strange, but I turned on some classical music and they calmed down almost instantly. I think I own classical ducklings.

I had to play music for my one flock of silkies. Put my daughter battery powered owl night light in my other flock of silkies coop. The things we do for our babies.

 

[chickenpal147]

The fluff balls are 2 weeks old now. They are growing up way to fast.

 

[quackiemama]

They are so cute

 

[Miss Lydia]

Love those faces