The Duck Thread

[Debs Flock]

I just got a duckling I'm not sure what breed or if male or female. First duck I've ever had and I'm not real sure how to take care of him/ her I've been calling it Stew. Please leave tips for me?

Here's the link to our Learning Center:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/other-backyard-poultry-ducks-quail-turkeys-geese-etc

Go here and the Duckling topics are near the top on the left. Lots of great/helpful info.

Welcome to BYC and congrats on your duckling! Does he/she have at least one buddy?

 

[Debs Flock]

Update on my three remain ducks. They aren't breathing heavy any more and they are eating and drinking. Every time I step in there they quack away at me as if they are really happy to see me which is good because right after I found Clara they were very quiet. I think they are still greaving some but all in all they seem to being doing great. I just did a very thorough cleaning of everything in there box so hopefully all will be ok. I'll post a pic soon of them. Last I checked they were huddled together sleeping.

Certainly sounds like you're doing everything possible for great care! Hopefully the other 3 will be just fine.

 

[lakencarr33]

Here's the link to our Learning Center:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/other-backyard-poultry-ducks-quail-turkeys-geese-etc

Go here and the Duckling topics are near the top on the left.  Lots of great/helpful info.

Welcome to BYC and congrats on your duckling!  Does he/she have at least one buddy?

no we only have one. It was a last minute kind of thing.

 

[Debs Flock]

no we only have one. It was a last minute kind of thing.

Ducks are flock animals so they have the need/desire to be with other ducks. Can you get more? How old is the duckling?

 

[jtn42248]

I just got a duckling I'm not sure what breed or if male or female. First duck I've ever had and I'm not real sure how to take care of him/ her I've been calling it Stew. Please leave tips for me?

When you can post a picture do. Now, first and maybe most important, ducklings do best with the company of another duck so if you can manage to get another the same age yours will do better just because of the companionship. If that is not possible, then something like a stuffed duck (small) for her/him to cuddle up against. That and a lot of human interaction.

Now, go online to someplace like Metzer Farms and read their "cheat sheet" on the care of ducklings. They will need some additional heat in all likelihood (do you have any idea how old he/she is?). Prepare a brooding area for them with bedding, water and food. Bedding can be shavings (stay away from Cedar) but I use old towels when I am brooding ducklings. They are absorbent and can be easily removed when soiled and laundered and reused. Make sure they have water at all times!!! They must have water with their feed. They should be able to completely submerge their face in the water in order to clean out their nares (nostrils) but, when they are young, they should not be able to actually get in the water to swim. Until they are older they can not secrete the oils they need to be waterproof. I use a straight edged bowl about 2-3 inches deep with a rock in the middle so they can actually stand on the rock and not actually be in the water. For feed you can use chick starter if you are not able to get waterfowl starter feed. If you use chick starter start out with the crumbles and add niacin to it. Brewer's Yeast (available as a power in most health food stores) needs to be added to their feed for the first 10 weeks or so to assist in the development of nerves and bones.

Do this and interact with them as much as they will allow. Try to get a companion duckling for them and they should do really well.

 

[jtn42248]

Update on my three remain ducks. They aren't breathing heavy any more and they are eating and drinking. Every time I step in there they quack away at me as if they are really happy to see me which is good because right after I found Clara they were very quiet. I think they are still greaving some but all in all they seem to being doing great. I just did a very thorough cleaning of everything in there box so hopefully all will be ok. I'll post a pic soon of them. Last I checked they were huddled together sleeping.

That is good news. Hopefully things will level out now and you will have a happy and happy threesome which we look forward to seeing pictures of.

 

[lakencarr33]

When you can post a picture do. Now, first and maybe most important, ducklings do best with the company of another duck so if you can manage to get another the same age yours will do better just because of the companionship. If that is not possible, then something like a stuffed duck (small) for her/him to cuddle up against. That and a lot of human interaction.

Now, go online to someplace like Metzer Farms and read their "cheat sheet" on the care of ducklings. They will need some additional heat in all likelihood (do you have any idea how old he/she is?). Prepare a brooding area for them with bedding, water and food. Bedding can be shavings (stay away from Cedar) but I use old towels when I am brooding ducklings. They are absorbent and can be easily removed when soiled and laundered and reused. Make sure they have water at all times!!! They must have water with their feed. They should be able to completely submerge their face in the water in order to clean out their nares (nostrils) but, when they are young, they should not be able to actually get in the water to swim. Until they are older they can not secrete the oils they need to be waterproof. I use a straight edged bowl about 2-3 inches deep with a rock in the middle so they can actually stand on the rock and not actually be in the water. For feed you can use chick starter if you are not able to get waterfowl starter feed. If you use chick starter start out with the crumbles and add niacin to it. Brewer's Yeast (available as a power in most health food stores) needs to be added to their feed for the first 10 weeks or so to assist in the development of nerves and bones.

Do this and interact with them as much as they will allow. Try to get a companion duckling for them and they should do really well.

I have no idea how old the duckling is. My mom (I am 14 y/o) doesn't want another one just yet and my stepdad didn't even want this one. I have a HUGE fish aquarium on my dresser with hay in the bottom I have a little dish with water in it and a little dish with starter feed in it. I have a lamp on one side with a 40 watt bulb in it.. Should I go higher on the bulb wattage?

 

[lakencarr33]

Ducks are flock animals so they have the need/desire to be with other ducks.  Can you get more?  How old is the duckling?

my mom doesn't want anymore (I am 14 y/o ) but I don't know how old it is

 

[jtn42248]

I have no idea how old the duckling is. My mom (I am 14 y/o) doesn't want another one just yet and my stepdad didn't even want this one. I have a HUGE fish aquarium on my dresser with hay in the bottom I have a little dish with water in it and a little dish with starter feed in it. I have a lamp on one side with a 40 watt bulb in it.. Should I go higher on the bulb wattage?

Do you have a thermometer that you can put inside the container with her? Depending on her age (we will guess at this point that she is just a few days old) she may need to have the temp around 90 degrees. Make sure there are no drafts on her as they can make her very ill. Put something in with her (small stuffed toy) for her to cuddle up with. Also, do you have a small mirror that you can put in with her so she can see herself and interact with that "virtual" duck? If so make sure there are no sharp edges and that it can not fall over on her if she pecks at it.

Ducklings grow faster than chicks so the aquarium may not be big enough soon. Also, as she grows, and if she is alone and you are her only companion, she may try to jump out of the aquarium in order to be with you. So, get some sort of screen that you can put on top of the aquarium that will provide ventilation but be heavy enough that she can not move it.

If she is going to grow up as a lone duck you really need to interact with her a lot more than you would with a puppy or kitten. That is going to be a big chore for a 14 year old so make sure you are ready to dedicate that sort of time and effort. She will cry when you are not around so be prepared for that as well.

If there is a way you can do it post a picture of her when you get the chance...and, good luck with your new friend.

 

[lakencarr33]

When you can post a picture do. Now, first and maybe most important, ducklings do best with the company of another duck so if you can manage to get another the same age yours will do better just because of the companionship. If that is not possible, then something like a stuffed duck (small) for her/him to cuddle up against. That and a lot of human interaction.

Now, go online to someplace like Metzer Farms and read their "cheat sheet" on the care of ducklings. They will need some additional heat in all likelihood (do you have any idea how old he/she is?). Prepare a brooding area for them with bedding, water and food. Bedding can be shavings (stay away from Cedar) but I use old towels when I am brooding ducklings. They are absorbent and can be easily removed when soiled and laundered and reused. Make sure they have water at all times!!! They must have water with their feed. They should be able to completely submerge their face in the water in order to clean out their nares (nostrils) but, when they are young, they should not be able to actually get in the water to swim. Until they are older they can not secrete the oils they need to be waterproof. I use a straight edged bowl about 2-3 inches deep with a rock in the middle so they can actually stand on the rock and not actually be in the water. For feed you can use chick starter if you are not able to get waterfowl starter feed. If you use chick starter start out with the crumbles and add niacin to it. Brewer's Yeast (available as a power in most health food stores) needs to be added to their feed for the first 10 weeks or so to assist in the development of nerves and bones.

Do this and interact with them as much as they will allow. Try to get a companion duckling for them and they should do really well.