The box should be well-insulated, since the ducklings need to stay warm. Don’t choose a box with too many holes in the sides or the bottom. Line the bottom of the box with wood shavings or old towels. Avoid using newspaper or other slippery material. Ducklings are still wobbly on their legs for the first few weeks after they hatch, and they can slip easily and hurt themselves on surfaces like plastic or newspaper.
Use a 100-watt bulb to start. For very young ducklings, this should create the right amount of heat. Make sure part of the brooder is located away from the heat, so they have a place to cool off if they need to. Make sure the bulb isn’t too close to the ducklings. This may cause them to overheat, or if they touch the bulb, they could get burned. If you’re using a shallow brooder, prop the lamp up higher using blocks of wood or another sturdy prop
The heat and wattage of the lamp should be altered based on your ducklings’ behavior as they get older. If the ducklings tend to huddle close together under the lamp, they may be too cold and you should move the lamp closer or get a higher wattage bulb. If the ducklings are scattered out and breathing heavily, they’re most likely getting overheated, and you need to move the lamp further away or use a lower wattage bulb. Comfortable ducklings should be warm and settled.
Change the water and clean the bowl every day to make sure the ducklings don’t get sick from drinking dirty water. If you fear the bowl you have is a little too deep for your ducklings to drink from safely, lining the bottom with pebbles or marbles will make it safer for them. [4] X Research source
If the ducklings seem hesitant to eat, try adding a little water to their food to make it easier for them to swallow. You can also add a very small amount of sugar to their water for the first couple of days to help them get off to a good start and give them energy.
After about ten days, ducklings are ready for grower’s pellets, which are the same as the starter crumbs, only bigger.
Even if the ducks are interested in food such as bread, it is not good for them. Ducks can have very thinly cut fruits and vegetables as a snack, but make sure their main meal is duck food. Don’t give ducklings food made for baby chickens. It doesn’t have the right nutrient makeup for ducklings. Never use medicated feed for ducklings. It can cause organ damage.
Don’t let the ducklings swim too long, or they’ll get chilled. When they’re done swimming, dry them off gently and place them back in the brooder so they can warm up. You can also let them sit on a heating pad covered with a clean towel for a few minutes.
If you’re raising ducklings in a garage or barn outside, make sure no other animals can get near them. Wolves, foxes, and even large predatory birds could harm your ducklings if you aren’t careful. Ducklings raised inside your home need to be kept safe from dogs and cats, which may try to attack or even play too roughly with the ducklings. Once the ducklings move from the brooder to a larger pen, make sure there’s no way for predators to get in.
