Surprise ducklings

[billw]

I woke up this morning to unexpected ducklings. Apparently one of our ducks has been hiding somewhere.

We've never had any luck getting the ducks to hatch their own before, so now I'm not sure what to do. Currently, this duck is alone in the large yard, while the remaining ~20 are locked in their enclosure. Should I isolate mama and her ducklings from the other ducks or let them mix? If she hatched them, is that a good indication that she will raise them successfully? Do they need starter feed or can they feed themselves as the mama duck apparently has been?

She is marching them around in circles in the wet yard right now, which doesn't seem like the best idea, but what do I know? Mine have all been raised in a brooder.

 

[Jenwa098]

First, CUTE!

I had some ducklings just hatch on Tuesday (8 of them...) which was a surprise because she has failed to hatch eggs for the past two years. I was just thinking it was time to remove the eggs when voila...there they were!

At first I thought they wouldn't need a heat lamp, but it got cool here and so I plugged on in the coop and they seem much happier. They could go in or out yesterday, but it was very warm and sunny. I have a small duck coop they are staying in because it is so cool here today. I have read they need it 85-90 degrees at first.

I also removed the drake as he was aggressive with the ducklings and I guess sometimes they will kill them...I figured why take chances.

I bought non-medicated chick starter since my feed store doesn't carry duck starter...which they are readily eating...The first day all I had was crumble and it seems they can consume the starter more easily. When it warms up they can go into there grassy pen, or out in the yard. I read they should have food and water available at all times when they are little. Mine did run out of water sometime in the middle of the night, but were all fine this morning.

I have a really shallow water dish of plain water for them as apparently they can drown or get wet and too cold really easily. I offer mama water several times a day to clean her nares, but supervise closely so a duckling doesn't fall in. I then take that container out if I am not there.

I have one duckling that seems a little weak (but is still hanging in there) so I bought Sav-a-Chick probiotic and electrolyte and have a small dish of that available too. They all seem to like it and it is safe for adults, too. That one also seems to need the heat lamp more.

I am just hoping for the best otherwise!

Good luck!