Unexpectantly acquired 2 ducklings... in winter in Minnesota..

[Egglynette]

Hello all, it's been a long time since I have posted anything. So here it goes...

My brother found ducklings in the coop yesterday. It seems his duck (he named Side Eye) decided she was going to hatch out 5 eggs. Now, before everyone asks why he wasn't checking her eggs daily, let me just say he is going through a very nasty divorce with some severe mental health problems. He feeds/waters them and keeps them warm but couldn't care less about any eggs right now. So I'm guessing that's how she got away with hatching eggs in December in the first place.

Anywho, as soon as he noticed, he scooped up the two surviving ducklings and got them warm and safe. He cannot handle any more animal responsibility at this time and asked his older sister for help..

So, I have wound up with two baby ducks in Minnesota at the beginning of winter...

Right now, I have them all set up in my warm rabbit hutch (getting out of rabbits so there is plenty of room for ducklings right now) with a heat lamp on them, plenty of water, and correct food, and plenty of straw bedding in their little brooder.

I guess my big question is that if they survive, is how big will they be before spring? Can I put them in the chicken coop with the chickens? Any tips and tricks for raising ducks in winter... Has anyone else ever had ducklings in winter?

I dunno guys I'm just worried about what to do when they get bigger before it warms up, you know.

Thanks for any insight on this unexpected journey of mine. lol

 

[Jenbirdee]

how big will they be before spring?
Well, winter is just about starting now so it takes three months to get to spring and they should be aboutas big as their mama by then
Can I put them in the chicken coop with the chickens?
Do you mean in the spring or as soon as they outgrow the brooder? They will need somesupplemental heat until they are fully feathered approximately two months old.
And by then you will know if they are any drakes. Drakes will injure and kill female chickens by mating them. If they do not have enough female ducks (one duck Drake needs 3 to 5 female females at least)
Any tips and tricks for raising ducks in winter... Has anyone else ever had ducklings in winter?
I’ve purchased ducklings as early as the beginning of February, but I keep them inside my house at first and then garaged until they’re fully feathered

Ducklings need 85° the first week and then 80° the second week 75° the third week 70° the fourth week 65° the fifth week 60° the sixth week 55° the seventh week and then you’re good because they’re fully feathered

 

[Miss Lydia]

What breed? will determine their size. I would not put ducklings in with Chickens. Chickens can be nasty. Do you have a garage you could set up for them using portable dog fencing to keep them in one place? Or a spare bedroom. I had to set up a pen in my living room for ducklings one fall. Put down plastic or tarp then bedding on top. Its not ideal but it works. How large is the rabbit hutch? pictures would help. Oh and niacin is very important for ducklings so nutritional yeast sprinkled over their feed daily will help prevent a niacin deficiency which can cause lameness.etc
Very sweet of you to take these little ones in and hopefully they will survive. Once they get full size start introducing them to your chicken supervised so when the time comes for them all to be together they will already know each other.

Very sorry for what your brother is going through right now.