What To Do With Ducklings After They Hatch?
No matter what you say, raising ducks is not easy. But it’s true that the journey can become less challenging if you have a fair idea about how to raise a duckling. On that note, knowing what to do with ducklings after they hatch is quite crucial.
The ducklings should stay in the incubator for at least 24 hours after they hatch. During this period, they will not require any food or water. The egg yolk inside their abdomen will provide them with all the required nutrition.
But the question is, what should you do after the twenty-four period? Most importantly, how do you determine whether the duckling has hatched healthy? You will find all the answers below.
Looking for more articles about ducklings:
How Do I Identify If My Ducklings Are Sick After Hatch?
Before anything else, you should know whether the ducklings have hatched healthy. And the sign that gives away that the baby duck is sick body movement. Their heads will tend to shake a lot.
In addition, sick ducklings will appear to be lethargic and weak. They will not respond to their surroundings and stay still in the hatched egg. Some even show signs of breathing difficulties.
That said, when you suspect a duckling is sick, it’s best to isolate it. Contact a veterinarian and ask for guidelines. Follow the suggested steps and closely monitor the ill baby duck’s condition for a few days.
How to Prepare for the Arrival of Ducklings?
You need to go through some preliminary steps before the ducklings hatch out of their eggs. They are –
1. Set up a brooder
The ducklings will need to be out of the incubator after they hatch. But where should you put them? A brooder! When choosing a brooder, remember that it must be large enough for them to move freely inside.
Secondly, the inside needs to be warm. But it should not be too warm that it becomes uncomfortable for the ducklings to be inside.
Wondering what can you use as a brooder? A plastic tub or a cardboard box can be a good pick. But make sure that you prepare the inside with a good amount of straw or pine shavings.
2. Prepare food and water
The ducklings will require constant access to food and water. Make sure that you have enough starter feed for the hatched ducklings. Also, select a bowl you can keep inside to offer them water.
3. Heat sources
If you think the straw inside the brooder is insufficient, you should install a heating pad or heat lamp inside. The temperature should be anywhere from 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week.
What Is the Best Way to Care for Ducklings After They Hatch?
So, to care for a baby duckling after it hatches, you need to follow systematic steps. Here’s a brief explanation of each –
1. Let the duckling be in the incubator for the first day
As mentioned earlier, the duckling should be left in the incubator for the first day. You should not intervene or try to provide them with water or food during the first 24 hours.
2. Start feeding starter crumbs
After the first day, you must move the ducklings to a brooder and begin offering them starter crumbs. Ensure they have constant access to it, as ducklings eat throughout the day.
In addition, make sure that the ducklings have access to fresh water. To be exact, the water bowl needs to be changed at least twice a day.
3. Move the ducklings to a large space when they outgrow the brooder
Ducklings require around 30 days to fully grow. After they are fully grown, you need to move them to a larger area. And at this stage, transition them to adult duck feed and ensure they have access to water for swimming.
Things to Consider When Caring for Ducklings
Some essential things must be considered when caring for ducklings that have just hatched. They are –
Brooder Environment
Make sure that the brooder is clean and dry. Also, monitor the environment of the brooder. It should be around 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week.
Afterward, gradually reduce the temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week until they are fully feathered.
Moreover, you need to ensure that the brooder has a soft bedding material inside.
Time with Water
Do not let the ducklings be in the water for too long. Remember that they can get chilled up pretty quickly. Also, when they get off the water, dry them and gently place them near the heating source to warm their bodies up.
Don’t Get Too Close to the Ducklings
Ducklings are known to imprint on people pretty quickly. So, no matter what, you should avoid getting too close to the ducklings. Instead, let them play with each other and grow up to become independent adults.
Final Words
Now that you know what to do with ducklings after they hatch, you are pretty much sure to see them grow at a healthy pace. And when handling the ducklings, avoid grabbing them by their leg or foot.
That’s pretty much all about caring for baby ducks after they hatch. And if this article has helped you, please consider supporting us. You only need to connect with our Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts.
Article Reference:
- https://ucanr.edu/sites/placercounty4h/files/178121.pdf
- https://beautyofbirds.com/caring-poultry-chicks/
- https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/programs/duck-research-lab/health-care
- https://homeinthefingerlakes.com/beginners-guide-to-ducklings/
