Taking care of ducklings can be fun and rewarding. Ducklings need special care to grow healthy and strong. This guide will help you understand how to look after your ducklings week by week. You will learn about their needs for food, water, warmth, and space. By following these steps, you can make sure your ducklings are happy and safe. Let’s start with the first week and see how to care for your new ducklings.
Duckling Care Week by Week
Caring for ducklings requires attention, dedication and knowledge to ensure they grow up healthy and strong. This guide provides a detailed week-by-week plan for the first five weeks of a duckling’s life, covering everything from setting up the brooder to transitioning them to outdoor living.
Related reading: How Long Can Ducks Live?
Week 1: The Arrival and Early Days
Environment
Brooder Setup: The brooder is where your ducklings will spend their early days. It should be a warm, dry, and draft-free environment. The temperature should be around 90°F (32°C) to keep them comfortable. You can use a heat lamp to maintain this temperature. Make sure the brooder is large enough to allow the ducklings to move away from the heat source if they get too warm.
Bedding: Use clean, non-slip bedding such as straw or wood shavings. Avoid using newspaper as it can be slippery and cause leg injuries. Change the bedding daily to keep it dry and clean, preventing the buildup of bacteria and mold.
Space: Provide enough space for the ducklings to move freely. A good rule of thumb is to have about 0.5 square feet per duckling during the first week. As they grow, you’ll need to increase the space.
Feeding
Diet: Ducklings need a high-protein starter feed with 20-22% protein to support their rapid growth. Make sure the feed is formulated specifically for waterfowl or use a non-medicated chick starter if waterfowl feed is unavailable. Avoid medicated feed as it can be harmful to ducklings.
Water: Ducklings need constant access to fresh, clean water. Use a shallow dish to provide water so they can drink without the risk of drowning. Ducklings love to play in water, but they can easily get soaked and chilled, which can be dangerous. Ensure the water dish is shallow enough that they cannot submerge themselves fully.
Health
Observation: Check the ducklings frequently for signs of illness or distress. Healthy ducklings are active, alert, and have shiny eyes and smooth feathers. Watch for signs of lethargy, difficulty breathing, or any other unusual behavior.
Handling: Handle the ducklings gently and minimally during the first week to reduce stress. Gradually increase handling as they grow to help them become accustomed to human interaction.
Week 2: Growth and Exploration
Environment
Temperature: Lower the brooder temperature to 85°F (29°C) by raising the heat lamp slightly. Ducklings can regulate their body temperature better as they grow, but they still need warmth.
Bedding: Keep the bedding clean and dry by changing it regularly. Wet bedding can lead to health issues such as respiratory problems and infections.
Space: Ensure the ducklings have enough space to move around and explore. You might need to increase the brooder size as they grow.
Feeding
Diet: Continue with the starter feed. You can introduce small amounts of finely chopped greens as a treat. Ensure that any treats you offer are safe and suitable for ducklings.
Water: Ducklings need more water for preening as they grow. Use a shallow dish that allows them to dip their beaks and clean themselves without the risk of drowning. Ensure the water is clean and fresh at all times.
Health
Activity: Ducklings will be more active in the second week. Provide safe, enclosed areas for them to explore and exercise. This helps in their physical and mental development.
Observation: Continue to monitor the ducklings for signs of illness or distress. Ensure they are eating, drinking, and active. Look out for any changes in behavior or appearance.
Week 3: Feathers and Independence
Environment
Temperature: Reduce the brooder temperature to 80°F (27°C). Ducklings will start to grow feathers, which helps them regulate their body temperature better. Ensure they still have a warm area and cooler spots to move to.
Bedding: Maintain clean and dry bedding. Ducklings are more active and may need more frequent changes. Wet or dirty bedding can lead to health problems.
Space: Increase the space in the brooder as the ducklings grow. They need more room to move around and exercise.
Feeding
Diet: Gradually decrease the protein level in their feed to 18-20%. Continue offering small amounts of greens. Ensure the feed is always fresh and clean.
Water: Ducklings need more water for preening and drinking. Use a shallow dish that allows them to clean themselves without getting fully wet. Ensure the water is always clean.
Health
Feather Growth: Ducklings will start to grow feathers in the third week. Ensure they are dry and have enough warmth, especially during the night.
Observation: Monitor for signs of proper feather development and overall health. Look for any signs of feather loss or other health issues.
Week 4: Transitioning
Environment
Temperature: Lower the brooder temperature to 75°F (24°C). Ducklings can tolerate cooler temperatures as they grow more feathers. Ensure they still have a warm area to retreat to if they get cold.
Bedding: Keep the bedding clean and dry. Ducklings are more active and may need more frequent changes.
Space: Increase the space in the brooder as the ducklings grow. They need more room to move around and exercise. Approximately 1 square foot per duckling is ideal.
Feeding
Diet: Transition to grower feed with 16-18% protein. Continue with occasional greens and treats. Ensure the feed is always fresh and clean.
Water: Provide larger water containers for preening and drinking. Ensure the containers are shallow enough to prevent drowning but allow the ducklings to clean themselves.
Health
Activity: Ducklings will be more active and curious in the fourth week. Provide safe areas for exploration and exercise. This helps in their physical and mental development.
Observation: Keep an eye on feather development and overall health. Ensure they are eating, drinking, and active. Look out for any changes in behavior or appearance.
Week 5: Preparing for Outdoors
Environment
Temperature: Reduce the brooder temperature to 70°F (21°C). Ducklings are now mostly feathered and can handle cooler temperatures. Prepare them for eventual outdoor living.
Space: Ensure they have enough space to move around freely. Increase the space in the brooder as they grow.
Bedding: Keep the bedding clean and dry. Ducklings are more active and may need more frequent changes.
Feeding
Diet: Continue with grower feed. Introduce more variety in greens and treats. Ensure the feed is always fresh and clean.
Water: Provide ample water for drinking and preening. Use shallow containers to prevent drowning but allow the ducklings to clean themselves.
Health
Feather Growth: Ducklings should have most of their feathers by now. Ensure they are dry and warm, especially during the night.
Observation: Monitor their behavior and health. They should be active and growing well. Look for any signs of illness or distress.
Final Tips
Handling
- Socialization: Gradually increase handling to socialize them. Be gentle and calm when handling ducklings to reduce stress.
- Interaction: Spend time with the ducklings to help them get used to human interaction. This will make them more friendly and easier to handle as they grow.
Outdoor Transition
- Gradual Introduction: Gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions if the weather permits. Start with short periods outside and gradually increase the time.
- Safety: Ensure they are safe from predators and harsh weather conditions. Provide a secure and sheltered area for them outdoors.
Cleanliness
- Bedding Maintenance: Maintain a clean environment to prevent diseases and infections. Change the bedding regularly to keep it dry and clean.
- Water Hygiene: Ensure the water containers are clean and free from contamination. Change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
Conclusion
Caring for ducklings requires attention to detail and a commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment. By following this week-by-week guide, you can ensure your ducklings grow up healthy and strong, ready to thrive in their outdoor habitat. Remember, the key to successful duckling care is providing a warm, clean, and secure environment with proper nutrition and plenty of fresh water. With patience and care, you can enjoy the rewarding experience of raising happy and healthy ducks.