Caring For Ducklings

At the outset, can I just say that looking after ducklings is best left to the mother ducks. From a Human standpoint, it is a nine week commitment in order for them to reach fledging and survival.

Can be messy and needs facilities to keep it as natural as possible. Ducklings will imprint on humans unless care is taken to minimise this. Sometimes it's necessary to intervene in the case of the death or injury of the mother, otherwise leave well alone.

First of all, ducklings that are only a day or two old need to be kept warm regularly. 

My observations over the years have seen the mother duck take her ducklings for short periods into the water to feed on floating insects and algae, then out to dry off, get warmed and waterproofed under her wings and body. A cold wet duckling will quickly die from hypothermia. The weather conditions are crucial at this time of year, and frankly, conditions now are drastic for newly hatched ducklings. Ducklings cannot waterproof themselves until about 3 weeks old when their oil gland develops This is why you will often see them under their mother until they are quite large. 

Disco my disabled duck you can see here with her 2 week old ducklings, still getting under for warmth and waterproofing. 

The current 16 rescued ducklings are kept warm in a brooding box with a heat lamp, if the heat is sufficient they will not sit directly underneath it and they will be active rather than lethargic. 

Plenty of fresh water and feed by way of crushed dried mealworm, finely chopped soft lettuce, and chick crumb starter feed, gives them a varied protein diet. I also put them in the large bath regularly which gives me the chance to clean out their brooder and apply fresh bedding. I have to partially dry them using paper towels, before putting them back into the brooder to preen and finish drying themselves.

The good thing about having a large brood, is they will keep each other warm and content with company. Having an A4 photo of a mother duck in the brooder gives them an added comfort to sit under.
When they get about 6 weeks old, they can be given thawed garden peas, porridge oats and mixed wild bird seed and wheat grain, they also need access to a bigger pool, and dirt and grit for their digestion. 

Over the past 14 years or so, I have cared for over 150 ducklings and learned a lot from practical experience, as yet I have never had any follow me home, although they certainly know me when I turn up with feed on the riverside. I keep my direct contact to a minimum to avoid them imprinting too much. Short video below showing the 16 recently rescued ducklings having their first indoor bath.