Playing with Phil

[MadiLarson]

How do I play with my duckling? He has SO much energy right now, we already swam for an hour, he napped, now he's pecking at EVERYTHING. Is there anyway I can entertain him indoors?

 

[Going Quackers]

Peas or lettuce in water but that will be MESSY~ they love to dig in mud too, foraging is a great thing as well, he have no other ducks?

 

[MadiLarson]

No, he's an only child. And he's too young for treats, 6 days old. I know ducks aren't solitary but I'm not in the position to get another duck ):

 

[Going Quackers]

Why is he too young? if you provide chick grit and cut lettuce small he can have that now. I raise my birds mainly with mama ducks but i have some on occasion being done by me at a few days old they can eat all sorts of stuff.

Here is a treat chart

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

 

[MadiLarson]

Haha, I actually have that chart already copied on my phone but it didn't say ducklings could have peas or lettuce yet so I wasn't sure

 

[Going Quackers]

Haha, I actually have that chart already copied on my phone but it didn't say ducklings could have peas or lettuce yet so I wasn't sure

Lettuce chopped up finely is just that fine lol I use Romaine, i had a Mar hatch(don't ask determined broody!) and i gave the mama and her brood lettuce from a few days old, there was snow on the ground so they had zero access to greens, peas you can wait a bit for but i have found not to much trouble with them after a couple weeks old. You have to remember ones left with mama are out eating all sorts of things, some of my 3wk olds are out with the big flock of scovies and they eat it all! proper foraging.

Do you have Storey's guide to ducks? i'd recommend a copy, can be bought as an e-book too.

 

[MadiLarson]

I will definitely start feeding him lettuce then! And I will look into that book! Thank you so much

 

[Carcajou]

If you can't get another duck right now you might give Phil a little stuffed animal to cuddle with at night and when you are not around. Good luck!