hi i got my first hatched duckling i thought i was prepared but the mum dose not want it all i have in food wise is pullet grower or layer the little dude hatched 2 dayes early do i crush some pullet grower its 7.15 pm here so no shops are open i can get started tomorrow or can it wait he is pecking and nibbling on everything i think its hungry please i need info by the way im in australia
As long as it's not medicated grower pellets, you can crush or mash some up and feed it to the duckling until you can get some duck grower mash/crumble. You can also feed the duckling boiled, mashed eggs and some corn meal or oatmeal finely chopped. At this stage, they should be fed moistend food, not dry, so mix some water into whatever you feed the duckling until it is the consistency of porridge or pudding. You definitely need to feed it right away. It is a growing bird, and will start to starve quickly, and could die in just a day or two without food.
Congrats on the baby peachie - You can crush up some pellets - or just let it soak for a few minutes in a bit of water- it will save all the hard work- I have done it at times for my little ones if I run out or get caught out like you have with an early one. The feed we have here is medicated differently from in the states- so its perfectly ok for ducklings. The little one wont be eating too much before the shops open tomorrow - but dont leave wet food in the brooder too long or even in this cooler weather it could start to go moldy very quickly.
