Essential Tips for Raising Happy Ducklings

We recently adopted three gorgeous little Cayuga ducklings. I have an addiction to ducklings (and basically all animals…. but baby birds especially.) Anyhow, I make pretty ridiculous decisions when it comes to new animals. However, I cannot help but collect them all! Thankfully, my husband is quite patient.

Care:
First, in order to properly care for your new amazing species of waterfowl, you will need a few things:
1. Brooder,
2. Heat lamp
3. Proper feed,
4. Bedding
5. Waterer
6. Feed pan
7. Someplace you take the ducklings to learn to swim.

Brooder:
You can use anything from a cardboard box to a bathtub as a brooding box. I prefer the large rubber water troughs that I can acquire at any feed store or on amazon. Make sure it is large enough that you can place all needed items inside of this container and the ducklings will also be able to have enough space to get out of the heat when they choose to. You will want the edges to be round, so the ducklings don’t get squished.

Heat lamps:
Distance and location are important when choosing how to set up your heat lamp. When they are newborn, you will want to place the lamp roughly 13 inches above the ducklings so they can stay warm. You also will want to ensure that your ducklings have a place to escape the heat so they do not cook in their brooder. I have a picture below as an example of how mine is set up.

Feed:
Do not use medicated feed! Use only feed that is specific to ducklings or says flock raiser on it. Medicated chick feed is only for chickens. Also, Make sure that your ducklings are given crumbles, not feed in pellet form. Crumbles are much easier to digest for the chick.

Water:
Always be sure that your ducklings have fresh water and that the waterer is clean. when a waterer becomes slippery inside, this means that the water has dangerous bacteria growing in it for your new babies.

Play time:
Play time is important for ducklings. You will need to take them to their water play area and teach them how to swim. Never leave the duckling unattended near water as they could become cold or tired and drown. Only have them in the water a few minutes at a time and right back to the brooder to get warm. You are now their mother duck, therefore, you must teach them how to be a duck. You can have them play in the tub or plastic pool for swimming lessons, but make sure the water isn’t too hot or cold.

What are some fun experiences that you have had with duckings?