What Do Ducklings Like To Play With?
Like most birds, ducks and ducklings love to be entertained. Whether through human interactions or interacting with their own kind, they look for ways to be engaged. But can they play with toys? If so, what do ducklings like to play with?
Ducklings can play with toys. You can offer them a kiddie pool, mirror toys, chew toys, strings to pull, standard bird toys, treat balls, and even DIY household items to keep themselves entertained.
But do ducklings prefer playing alone or with other ducklings? Also, at which age can you give toys to the ducklings? Read through to learn everything about the topic.
Want to learn more about ducklings:
What Kind of Toys Are Most Suitable for Ducklings to Play With?
As discussed earlier, ducklings can play with a lot of different toys. But not all the toys are considered safe. Here’s a list of the safe toys that you can offer to your ducklings –
Kiddie Pool
Ducks and ducklings love to swim and splash around in the water. So, if there’s no proper water body around the area, you should invest in a kiddie pool. It’s safe and will let the baby ducks have a blast.
Chew Toys
Just like dogs, ducks love to chew on things. Even the ducklings love chewing on things. But make sure that the chew toys are not too small. Otherwise, it will be a choking hazard.
Mirror Toys
Like other birds, ducks love shiny objects. And a mirror is a perfect pick in this regard. You can just place one right near their home and see them spend hours after hours playing with it. But you should ensure that the mirror has no sharp edges.
Treat Balls
Ducks like to forage for food. So, treat balls or something that dispenses treats can be a great little playtime activity for ducklings. To be exact, it can be both a fun and stimulating toy for them. However, make sure to moderate the amount of treats.
Strings
Like chewing, ducklings enjoy pulling on things. Whether it’s a rope or a string, they can tug on it and have a fun little moment. Here, you ensure that the ropes or string do not come loose when the baby ducks pull on it.
Standard Bird Toys
You can opt for regular bird toys if you can’t find specific duckling toys. That includes bells and balls. But make sure that they are safe for them. It should not harm them in any way.
DIY Household Items
It’s possible to make duckling toys from household items. For example, you can make a tunnel-like toy using cardboard boxes.
Do Ducklings Prefer Playing Alone or With Other Ducklings?
As social animals, ducks learn to get well with each other early in life. They are not solitary and can even become depressed when they are alone and secluded from the other ducks.
Considering that, it’s better to keep ducklings in pairs or with other ducklings. When the baby ducks are alone, they will not only have a bad time but also will remain inactive throughout the day.
So, even if you are introducing toys, ensure that the ducklings are not alone and have company. It can take a while for a duckling to go well with another duckling. But eventually, they will cohabitate with each other.
What Is the Best Age for Ducklings to Start Playing?
Ducklings can start playing with toys at a very young age. But it’s essential to understand their natural cycle and introduce a suitable toy at the right age. Here’s some information that will help you to make the right decision –
1 Week Old
When the ducklings are a week old, they can start playing in shallow water. In other words, at one week of age, it would be the right time to introduce a kiddie pool.
3 to 5 Weeks Old
At 3 to 5 weeks of age, ducklings start to roam around. They tend to remain outside for most of the day. You can start to introduce strings, mirror toys, and other toys during this period.
7 to 8 Weeks and Above
Ducklings will start to get their adult feathers when they are 7 to 8 weeks old. And at this period, they will spend most of their time foraging for food and interacting with other ducks. You can introduce treat balls during this period.
What Are Some Fun Games to Play with Ducklings?
Want to interact with the ducklings while they are having fun? In that case, you can play some fun games with them. For example –
1. Ball Games
With proper training, ducklings can be taught to go after balls. But do make sure that you are using small and lightweight balls.
2. Hide and Seek
Yes, you can play hide and seek with the ducklings. To illustrate, you can hide treats or toys that they are accustomed to and let the ducklings find them. Again, this will require some training.
3. Bath Games
You can spend some time with the ducklings when they are having a bath in the kiddie pool. For example, you can use a ball and make it float around when they are in the pool. But make sure that they are not in danger of getting hurt.
Safety Tips for Playing with Ducklings
Although ducks can play with toys very early, you need to take some precautions to ensure their safety. Here are some tips –
Constant Supervision
It does not matter whether the ducklings are with toys; you should always supervise them. Also, make sure that the area is free of predators. Ducklings and ducks can give up their defense when they are playful.
Water Safety
Ducklings can learn to swim pretty quickly. Even so, there’s always a chance of drowning. So, no matter what, you should not let them swim around in deep water. Also, limit their time with water. 10 to 15 minutes a day in the early stage is enough.
Toy Safety
As mentioned earlier, you should not choose a toy that’s small enough to be a choking hazard. And do not select something that can break apart.
Group Size
If you are purchasing ducklings, make sure to buy them in groups. Ducks in groups thrive better. Moreover, ducklings can quickly become depressed if they find themselves alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do ducklings prefer DIY toys or commercial toys?
There’s no clear answer about whether baby ducks prefer commercial or DIY toys. As long as the toy is fun to play with and the ducklings understand how to play with it, they will have a blast.
2. Is it safe for ducklings to play in the water?
It’s completely safe for the baby ducks to play in the water. However, ensure the water body is not deep, and you supervise them when they are in the water.
3. Can ducklings play with other types of animals?
Ducklings should not be allowed to play with other animals. It can be dangerous for both the baby ducks and the other animals. Instead, give them toys to play with.
Final Words
Got the answer on what do ducklings like to play with? If not, baby ducks like to play in the water and with toys such as strings, chew toys, mirror toys, and others. But make sure to consider all the safety tips mentioned in this discussion.
That’s all there’s to it regarding the topic. And if you have found this post helpful, you will want to keep updated with our future articles. So, make sure to keep yourself connected with our Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter accounts.
Article Reference:
- https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/animals-and-wildlife/raising-ducks-caring-for-ducklings
- https://petkeen.com/what-toys-do-ducks-play-with/
- https://www.petassure.com/new-newsletters/keeping-and-caring-for-ducks-as-pets/
