Caring For Ducklings
Week 1: Days 1-7
Housing (Brooder):
Container: A large plastic tub, cardboard box (ensure it's sturdy and can't be easily tipped), or a commercially made brooder. Ensure it's draft-free but well-ventilated.
Space: Provide at least 0.5 square feet of floor space per duckling. They grow quickly, so plan for expansion.
Bedding: Use pine shavings (not cedar, which can be harmful), straw (chopped finely for young ducklings), or paper towels (change frequently). Avoid slick surfaces like newspaper or cardboard directly, as they can cause leg problems. You can place paper towels over a layer of shavings for easier initial cleanup.
Heat: This is crucial. Use a heat lamp with a red bulb (less likely to cause pecking issues than a white bulb). Position it to one side of the brooder, creating a temperature gradient.
Temperature: Aim for 90-95°F (32-35°C) directly under the heat lamp. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature at duckling level. Observe the ducklings' behavior: if they huddle directly under the lamp, it's too cold; if they are scattered and panting, it's too hot. Adjust the height of the lamp accordingly.
Light: Ducklings need light to find food and water. The heat lamp will provide this initially.
Food:
Feed: Offer a high-quality chick starter feed (non-medicated, as medicated chick feed can be harmful to ducklings). It should have around 20-22% protein.
Presentation: Sprinkle feed in a shallow dish or on a clean paper towel initially to help them find it. Ensure it's always available (free-choice).
Grit: Provide finely ground chick grit in a separate small container. Grit helps them digest their food. They don't need much at this age, just a tiny amount available.
Water:
Container: Use a shallow dish or a chick waterer. Avoid deep water containers where they could potentially fall in and drown, as they aren't fully waterproof yet. Place pebbles or marbles in the water dish to reduce the risk of drowning.
Cleanliness: Change the water at least twice a day, or more often if it gets soiled. Ducklings love to play in water, so expect it to get messy!
Placement: Keep the water source near the food but not directly under the heat lamp to prevent excessive humidity.
Handling: Handle ducklings gently and only when necessary. Keep handling sessions short to avoid stressing them.
Observation: Monitor the ducklings closely for signs of illness (lethargy, lack of appetite, diarrhea) or any leg problems.
Week 2: Days 8-14
Housing (Brooder):
Space: Increase floor space to at least 1 square foot per duckling.
Bedding: Continue using pine shavings, straw, or paper towels. Change soiled bedding frequently.
Heat: Reduce the brooder temperature by approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit (around 3 degrees Celsius). Aim for 85-90°F (29-32°C) under the heat lamp. Continue to observe their behavior to adjust the lamp height.
Food:
Feed: Continue providing the non-medicated chick starter feed (20-22% protein).
Grit: Continue offering finely ground chick grit.
Water:
Container: You can gradually introduce slightly deeper water containers, but still ensure they can easily get out if they fall in. Supervise them closely when they have access to deeper water.
Cleanliness: Continue to change the water frequently.
Introduction to Water (Supervised): If the weather is warm (above 70°F/21°C) and the ducklings are healthy, you can start offering very short, supervised access to a shallow pan of water for splashing and preening. This should only be for a few minutes at a time and under your direct supervision. Ensure they can dry off thoroughly afterwards to avoid getting chilled.
Observation: Continue to monitor their health and behavior.
Week 3: Days 15-21
Housing (Brooder):
Space: Increase floor space to at least 2 square feet per duckling.
Bedding: Continue with appropriate bedding and maintain cleanliness.
Heat: Reduce the brooder temperature by another 5 degrees Fahrenheit (around 3 degrees Celsius). Aim for 80-85°F (27-29°C) under the heat lamp.
Food:
Feed: You can start transitioning to a duck starter/grower feed with a slightly lower protein content (around 18-20%). Mix a small amount of the new feed with the old feed, gradually increasing the proportion of the new feed over several days to avoid digestive upset.
Grit: You can switch to a slightly coarser grower grit.
Water:
Container: You can now offer larger, but still relatively shallow, water containers. Ensure they can easily get in and out.
Cleanliness: Ducklings will make a lot of mess with their water. Be prepared to clean and refill frequently.
Water Activities (Supervised): Increase the duration and frequency of supervised water play if the weather remains warm. They will start to develop more waterproofing. Ensure they have a warm and dry place to return to afterwards.
Introduction to Outdoors (Weather Permitting): If the weather is consistently warm (daytime temperatures above 70°F/21°C and no risk of sudden chills) and they are fully feathered (except for down on their bellies), you can start introducing them to a safe, enclosed outdoor area for short periods during the day. Provide shade and access to their brooder or a sheltered area in case they get cold.
Observation: Continue to monitor their health and development.
Week 4: Days 22-28
Housing (Brooder/Transition to Outdoor Coop):
Space: Ensure at least 3-4 square feet per duckling if they are still in the brooder. If transitioning to an outdoor coop, ensure adequate space there as well.
Bedding: Maintain clean bedding.
Heat: You can likely reduce the heat further to 75-80°F (24-27°C) or discontinue it entirely during the day if the weather is warm and they are fully feathered. Continue to monitor their behavior, especially at night. If they huddle together, they might still need some supplemental heat.
Food:
Feed: Continue feeding the duck starter/grower feed (18-20% protein).
Grit: Ensure grower grit is always available.
Water:
Container: They should now have access to larger water containers suitable for splashing and preening. Ensure it's still shallow enough for them to easily exit.
Cleanliness: Water will still need frequent cleaning.
Outdoor Time: Gradually increase their time spent outdoors, ensuring they have access to shelter from sun, rain, and predators.
Swimming: If the weather is warm and they are well-feathered, you can introduce them to a larger, shallow body of water under close supervision. Ensure they can easily get out and have a warm place to dry off.
Observation: Continue to monitor their health and ensure they are adjusting well to their environment.
Important Considerations Throughout:
Cleanliness: Maintaining a clean brooder and providing fresh food and water are crucial for preventing disease.
Predator Protection: Even indoors, ensure the brooder is secure from curious pets or other potential threats. Once outdoors, predator protection is paramount.
Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation in the brooder to prevent the buildup of ammonia from droppings.
Duckling Behavior: Pay close attention to your ducklings' behavior. It's the best indicator of whether they are too hot, too cold, hungry, thirsty, or unwell.
Local Climate: Adjust temperature and outdoor access based on your local climate and weather conditions.
By following these weekly guidelines, you can provide a healthy and happy start for your ducklings! Remember to always observe your ducklings and adjust their care as needed based on their individual needs and your specific circumstances.
