SINGLE DUCKLING- HOW DO I CARE FOR IT?!

[Sparkypatriot15]

Oh and I have a heat lamp in the outdoor pen that I turn on at night

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can't post pics, unfortunately. I would if I could. And now I have a new predicament- that duckling is now fine and best friends with the chicks, but now I have a new duckling that is a couple hours old... Does anyone have any tips on taking care of it? When can I put it outside with my other duckling? The temp down here is usually 85-95 during the day and 70-80 at night...

So how old is you first duckling?you will have to give your newly hatched one a couple days to get it's legs under it. Make sure it's warm but not too warm about 85 temp in brooder with a way for it to get out from under the heat if it wants too. after a few days begin to let your 2 duckling meet/without the chicks, you be there at all times just in case your older one gets to rough, just keep doing this until they are getting along and are best buds may take a week but that will give your youngest to get some strength and be able to keep up with the older one. If your temps are into 70's low 80's at night the ducklings will need some heat at night but once they are together they will keep each other warm too. The trend is 85first week and then drop it 5 degrees every week after till they are feathered out and don't need it. It's very important that your ducklings new hatch and older don't get over heated. Very important to have a thermometor in the brooder to keep a check on temps. Congrats on your new baby, hope all goes well.

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

Thanks, but I've just come across a BIG problem... My mom wants the duckling to go live outside. TODAY. I'm really really worried about that... What can I do? I already have a heat lamp in the Pen. The older duck and chicks are best friends, so I could put them together in the pen and put the little duckling in its own side of the pen if I HAD to... Can anyone help?!

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

Oh and my first duckling is about 3 weeks old

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh and my first duckling is about 3 weeks old

a newly hatched duckling should not be left out side, what is your setup like? it will need heat for one thing and something to cuddle with like a stuffed animal, and if you don't fix the pen so the others can't get to it they may just kill it. I am being blunt but thats the way it is in this animal world. Ask you mom is it can at least spends a few nights inside since it just hatched. Your going to have to be very careful introducing your newest duckling to your 3 week old thats a big difference in age.

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

Ok thanks... I can keep it inside but mom is REALLY unhappy... I'm considering just returning the duckling to the people who gave it to me... Would that be the best thing to do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok thanks... I can keep it inside but mom is REALLY unhappy... I'm considering just returning the duckling to the people who gave it to me... Would that be the best thing to do?

You know that is up to you, why doesn't mom want it inside? if you have it in your room in the brooder it can't make a mess on the floor and after about a week it will be able to be outside with your other duck, you just have to go about introducing them slowly since your other duckling is older. But if you feel it's best then maybe return it. your decision.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

we brood all of ducklings from day 3 on outside in raised pens with heat lamps on so they use them if they want to. Its summer, they dont have to be kept inside, just many chose to do it this way. Our pens are raised off the ground, wire floors with one end being a three sided shelter. Heat lamps go in the shelter area with hay for bedding. Food bowl, water source and no mess or smell inside. Hundreds brooded like this this year with no losses.

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

Ohh ok! I'll try that. My mom will be really glad...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Celtic I was mainly saying about the duckling being kept inside because it's only one. and just hatched today.