I just got 3 ducklings, and I have some questions. Can someone help me?

Question

I just got 3 ducklings at a town fair. Please tell me:

How big should their box be?

What watt should the light be? I'm using 40.

If they are wet and poopy, is there a way to clean them, or should I just let them be?

Is there anyway to keep them from spilling their water, like special bowls?

And EVERYTHING else you may know.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Congrats. I love my ducks.  I don't use a box, mine stay in a pen outside until they are big enough to stay at my pond.  

With the light bulb, if they are always huddle directly underneath it they are not warm enough and you should go to a 60w.  If they are always far away from it them it's to hot and go to 25w. You want them to be somewhere in the middle area where they can get closer if cold and move away if too warm.

You can take an old wet warm rag and wipe them down.  If their rears are poopy, keep it cleaned away or they will get backed up and it could kill them.

There are bowl that are weighted on the bottom to help prevent spillage.  I use a shallow pan that is about 12 inches around so they can drink or play and it's not too deep for them.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

http://www.phelpswaterfowl.com/Duckling_...

Answer 3

http://home.att.net/~roseselene/carefeed...

Answer 4

I have always kept mine in a large plastic storage tub.  The big ones are best because they have tall sides and the ducks can't jump out when they get a little bigger.  Right now they should be kept warm at night.  Put a heating pad underneath the tub on the low setting.  Make sure it is a heating pad that does nOt have an automatic shutoff.  Put papers on the floor of the tub and change them when they are wet and dirty.  With mine, I always fed them in the kitchen floor with newspapers down.  I fed them every 3 or 4 hours.  I never kept the food and water in the tub with them. Feed them duck starter or chick starter.  You can get this at the feed store.  Keep them on it til they are about 6 months old, then you can switch to regular duck or chicken food.  They are primarily vegetarians, and will eat grasses, insects, small lizards and small frogs, and minnows.  You can let them in the yard during the day if you have a fenced in yard, but watch they don't squeeze through the fence.  Be sure they are warm at night with the heating pad until they are several months old.  There are poultry dishes and bowls you can buy for them, but they still make a mess.  That's why I just fed them every 3 or 4 hours.  It is the same way I feed the babies where I work.  Please read my profile.