lovelyducklings
Chirping
Hi everyone! i will be writing on how important it is to raise ducklings properly, including the benefits and reasons to acquire a duckling, along with the consequences of not caring for a duckling properly. This is for a school project so feedback is required and greatly appreciated 
Shelter and Basic Essentials
Having the proper shelter for a duckling is crucial, it needs to be warm and easy to clean, because lets be honest; ducklings can be very cute, but there's always a price to pay.. For newly hatched ducklings, setting the temp. to 90-92 degrees for the first 3 days is important, then 85-90 degrees for days 4 - 7. After day 7, it is safe to drop the temp. 5 degrees every week until they are fully feathered.
From experience, it is very important to make sure a duckling always has water near by. The water bowl should be deep enough so that the little one can fully submerge it's beak (to clean it's nose), but not too deep to where it could drown or get stuck. The water should be clean, so changing it often is necessary. Adding niacin to their water is a must, it provides them with necessary nutrients and help prevent issues, trust me. If you do not have access to it, Brewers Yeast sprinkled on their food works as well. A layer of straw or rubber bedding should work nicely, although, keep a close eye on your ducklings to make sure they do not try to consume the straw. It has happened to me before, i had caught my duckling, Red, not only once but twice, with straw down his throat: maybe my ducklings are just a little odd..
Buying a 21% starter feed has always worked for me nicely, although, you are also able to feed them various treats such as: peas, corn, green beans, lima beans, cooked carrots, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, crickets, worms, small feeder fish, grass, milk, and turkey feed. Wetting the ducklings' food will help prevent the ducklings from choking, this isn't necessary, but definitely recommended.
Benefits
Their eggs. Duck eggs are bigger, tastier, and provide far more protein, calcium, iron, and potassium than chicken eggs. Ducks tend to lay a lot more than chickens, so once they're old enough, prepare for a ton of stray eggs!
Ducks are absolutely adorable to watch. The way they (I can't quite find the right word, so im gonna go with purr or coo) when you feed them, their adorable waddle and the way they scamper towards you when you have a handful of feed. It is quite an amusing sight, and definitely worth all of the work.
Ducks don't require that much maintenance, they know how to forage for food on their own (feeding them is still recommended because most domestic ducks aren't as skilled as wild ones when it comes to finding their own food), and they can free roam (if you have a fenced in yard, that is) so they don't take up space.
All in all, the bond you can create with a duck is one of my favorite benefits, especially if you hand raise them.
Important to know
If you take on the responsibility of raising a duck, it is very important to know that you must be dedicated to do so. Domestic ducks cannot be dropped off in the wild, because they do not possess the experience or strength of living on their own or protecting themselves. So please, refrain from abandoning the duck and consider giving it away to someone who is willing to care for it properly.
Do not feed your ducks bread! bread does not contain the necessary nutrients that ducks require. Bread can also be very difficult for ducks to digest, so avoid it at all costs.
If you allow your young ducklings to swim, make sure not to leave their side because domestic ducklings do not gain waterproof feathers until they are a bit older.
Having a pen for your ducks to reside in at night is very important, predators will tend to seek out your ducks, so make sure they're safe beforehand.
Thank You!
Writing this has been a ton of fun and i hope it helps someone I appreciate all and any advice/feedback! I'm still learning myself, so anything is welcomed. Please educate anyone who is having trouble or difficulty on the matter, or even if you spot someone feeding ducks bread! I'd like to help all ducks remain safe.
Shelter and Basic Essentials
Having the proper shelter for a duckling is crucial, it needs to be warm and easy to clean, because lets be honest; ducklings can be very cute, but there's always a price to pay.. For newly hatched ducklings, setting the temp. to 90-92 degrees for the first 3 days is important, then 85-90 degrees for days 4 - 7. After day 7, it is safe to drop the temp. 5 degrees every week until they are fully feathered.
From experience, it is very important to make sure a duckling always has water near by. The water bowl should be deep enough so that the little one can fully submerge it's beak (to clean it's nose), but not too deep to where it could drown or get stuck. The water should be clean, so changing it often is necessary. Adding niacin to their water is a must, it provides them with necessary nutrients and help prevent issues, trust me. If you do not have access to it, Brewers Yeast sprinkled on their food works as well. A layer of straw or rubber bedding should work nicely, although, keep a close eye on your ducklings to make sure they do not try to consume the straw. It has happened to me before, i had caught my duckling, Red, not only once but twice, with straw down his throat: maybe my ducklings are just a little odd..
Buying a 21% starter feed has always worked for me nicely, although, you are also able to feed them various treats such as: peas, corn, green beans, lima beans, cooked carrots, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, crickets, worms, small feeder fish, grass, milk, and turkey feed. Wetting the ducklings' food will help prevent the ducklings from choking, this isn't necessary, but definitely recommended.
Benefits
Their eggs. Duck eggs are bigger, tastier, and provide far more protein, calcium, iron, and potassium than chicken eggs. Ducks tend to lay a lot more than chickens, so once they're old enough, prepare for a ton of stray eggs!
Ducks are absolutely adorable to watch. The way they (I can't quite find the right word, so im gonna go with purr or coo) when you feed them, their adorable waddle and the way they scamper towards you when you have a handful of feed. It is quite an amusing sight, and definitely worth all of the work.
Ducks don't require that much maintenance, they know how to forage for food on their own (feeding them is still recommended because most domestic ducks aren't as skilled as wild ones when it comes to finding their own food), and they can free roam (if you have a fenced in yard, that is) so they don't take up space.
All in all, the bond you can create with a duck is one of my favorite benefits, especially if you hand raise them.
Important to know
If you take on the responsibility of raising a duck, it is very important to know that you must be dedicated to do so. Domestic ducks cannot be dropped off in the wild, because they do not possess the experience or strength of living on their own or protecting themselves. So please, refrain from abandoning the duck and consider giving it away to someone who is willing to care for it properly.
Do not feed your ducks bread! bread does not contain the necessary nutrients that ducks require. Bread can also be very difficult for ducks to digest, so avoid it at all costs.
If you allow your young ducklings to swim, make sure not to leave their side because domestic ducklings do not gain waterproof feathers until they are a bit older.
Having a pen for your ducks to reside in at night is very important, predators will tend to seek out your ducks, so make sure they're safe beforehand.
Thank You!
Writing this has been a ton of fun and i hope it helps someone
I appreciate all and any advice/feedback! I'm still learning myself, so anything is welcomed. Please educate anyone who is having trouble or difficulty on the matter, or even if you spot someone feeding ducks bread! I'd like to help all ducks remain safe.
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