General Chat

I wonder if any one can give me advice?........I've been to the farm locally and purchased 2 little ducklings..... i already have 11 chucks and wanted some ducks to go with them..... when i got to the farm.. the farmer only had little ducklings....just wondering if these little ducklings are to young to leave mom.... as they only have down fluffy on them... they haven't even got any feathers on them... they are petrifeid little things... bless them...... wondering if any one has any tips on keeping them warm.... as i know they would nestle under moms feathers....don't wanna taken back to the farm as the farmer only sees it as a business and doesn't take any interrested in them.... as we see and keep them as pets and part of the family.... he says they will be ok stuck in a box down the garden.....I wont entertain the idea of that...... farmer not interested not saying all farmers are like that....any advice will be gratefully received

Hi Wendy, I have fluffy chicks and have had ducklings, too. I have kept mine warm under an ordinary bedside lamp - the cheaper the better as ducklings are messy little blighters. I would keep this on night and day in their box/home until they have most of their feathers - unless we have a heatwave, in which case put it on at night.

My OH turned off our lamp by mistake and one died, another had to be stuck under the (cool) grill then in a box in the airing cupboard until it revived so do keep them warm. Good luck! They are very cute.

Ducklings need water so give them a shallow dish to swim in if they want. Watch and see how poopy this gets!!!

I am not sure about birds leaving their mothers at what age, but if they have not got feathers on would say that they have been removed too soon and the farmer needs reporting to the RSPCA.

They will need to be kept warm, perhaps in the airing cupboard or the likes, in a box - god love them.

Hope someone can give you more positive help.

Tina xx

Can you keep them in a shed for now? They need to stay warm, put straw or shredded paper for them to snuggle up on. Make sure they have drinking water access. It isnt unusual for ducklings to be sold with only Down, though agree it is a bit heartless. If you have a broody hen she might take to them, Bantam hens have been used for that for hundreds of years. At this time of year I wouldnt think you would need to suspend a light bulb over them for warmth. Good luck with your effort . Jean

Ducklings should not be allowed in water deep enough to "swim" in until they get their feathers - the fluffy stuff gets waterlogged very easily and the wet/cold might kill them. The should just have drinking water.

Oh I sooooo want some duckies. But we have a fox population round by us and fear duckies would not last long. :(((


Glad there is some more advice to mine.

Tina xx

No they havent been removed too young. You buy poultry from day olds onwards.

ALl they need is a reasonably warm place and some water and food. They will be fine.

Google ...day old chicks and ducklings
plenty of advice there,and arnt they gorgeous,its years since Ive had baby chicks

Well i have put them in a warm cat box with hay and straw.... my dorta had a cup at xmas with a little minuture water bottle attached so i have put it in an old sock and wraped tea towel round it with alittle warm water in it they snuggled up to that for now.....he told me to give them layers pellets but i think they are to much for the ducklings i just brought some chick crumbs....im hoping i am doing enough for them....

Ahhh bless them Wendylady. I hope you keep us updated on their progress.

Tina xx

They are beautiful harp strings they are very vocal so im hopefull.... will keep you up to to date..... named them DIB & DAB..... thankyou to everyone who gave me advice... if anyone has anymore ideas.... please let me know..... im like a fretting mommy lol.... 8-) x

How lovely Wendy,


All the very best of luck to you and the cute little ducklings. I love ducks,

Caz xx

Hi caz.... sorry i forgot to ask you yestersday were in cannock you long distant rellies were from?.........
I got a little yellow one which will be white eventually and a little black and tan one...... farmer doesnt even know what sex they are?.... i will have to keep eye on them when they are bigger lol i will become a grandma lol....

Hi,
Just wanted to say . When I was a young girl my Dad used to get day old chicks to rear he kept them in a shed and suspended an old fashioned cotton mop head so it just touched the ground. The chicks used to snuggle up under the mop as if they were snuggling under their mothers feathers.Hope they are ok.
Regards Mary

Hi,
Just wanted to say . When I was a young girl my Dad used to get day old chicks to rear he kept them in a shed and suspended an old fashioned cotton mop head so it just touched the ground. The chicks used to snuggle up under the mop as if they were snuggling under their mothers feathers.
Regards Mary

Wendylady, Have had all kinds of birds including ducks. You must keep them warm and do not let them have swimming water until they are properly feathered as they do not produce their own oil for waterproofing. They rely on the oil from their mothers feathers, that is why you see babies with mums in the wild swimming, they have her oil to waterproof them. The preen gland is on top of their tail a little pink gland (small). If you let them swim they will become waterlogged and either drown or get hypothermia. Hope this helps. Oh and by the way stupid farmer for taking them from their mums so young. Elaine.

Wendylady

Soon they will see you as 'Mum' and follow you about.

We have had wild ducklings hatch in our garden in previous years, when Mrs Duck again favoured us for her nest, forgetting she could fly in over the 5 foot fence....they couldn't.
I went down to the nearby stream and collected a bucket of duckweed / water and put it in one of those large saucers that go under plant pots.
I opened the gate on their 2nd day though and they all waddled off past the shop and along to the stream.

Gwyn

Gwyn

My Dad used to bring home day old chicks, and put them in a homemade wooden frame on top of lots of newspaper, he would put an old stone hot water bottle in one corner with an old sweater round it and they would snuggle up in the sweater, and he fed them chopped up boiled egg for a little while, can picture them now, in our living room of all places, the only room with a fire in, no central heating then lol Can still hear their peeping and smell the egg.
I hope your little ones do well.
Lizx

I know of cases where, if ducklings have been left by/taken away from their mothers, the babies' human carers have put down an old cuddly toy for them to snuggle up to.

I've also heard scorn poured on that idea, but apparently it gives them a bit more security at that young age. I'd think it's worth a try.
x

We have a stream run through our garden, and also have a pond.
Ducks swim up the stream and build nests on the bank, and use our pond for eating the plants.

We dont encourage them now, because there are foxes about, and also I saw a local cat running along the road with a duckling in its mouth.

Pity, because we loved the little things.