My baby ducklings are gonna die, please, please help!

Question

I bought 2 baby ducklings years ago, one of them died when it was 3 weeksold, the other one passed away when it was a month old. I got self-conscious. Anyway, i bought 2 baby ducklings 4 days ago, (Chazz and Mackenzie) i live in iran so i don't have access to their own food made in the US like gamebird starter feed. I was reading a blog and i realized i shouldn't give'em bread, that will eventually kill them! Despite the fact that ducks are suckers for bread. And i guess my previous ducklings died for the same reason. They also love coocked rice and tomatoes, well for the most part all persian foods have rice in'em. I'm not sure it's a suitable food for them. They love lettuce and cucumbers and other vegetables, should i just keep feeding them vegetables or...? Someone once said, they need to eat sands to help digest the food, is that right? And also, i provided them with a pot full of water, they got into the water and they were kinda drowning, so i put them back in their spot. Btw, they're now 2 weeks old, and i bought them 4 days ago, So when are they gonna be ready to swim? Also they're not loyal to me, i mean i spend time with them every single day, but they don't give a d**n, they don't follow me. They don't let me pet them. Why? I wanna hand raise them so they will follow me when they get old enough. They're mallards, they kinda fear humans but i'm their mother LOL! What should i do to make them wanna be my friend and follow me? I provide them with everything, they're dead without me. Please answer my question and ten points will come to you ASAP. Thanks for your time folks. Thanks a billion! Have an awesome day!

Answer 1

Ducklings can swim right after birth

Answer 2

If they are not raised with their mother, they cannot swim until about a month old. They get their waterproofing from the mother and there's doesn't start working on its own for awhile.

Veggies are good, give them lots, but they also need protein in their diet. You need to feed them some cooked meats, beans,etc. They have to have protein.

When ducks are grown, most will not let you pet them, hold them, etc. They are not lap animals, they are flock animals. I have raised well over 50 ducks in th last 6 years and I have only had 1 who likes to be pet and held, and he is physically and mentally handicapped.

You really shouldn't buy animals like that unless you know what to feed them and how to take care of them. Raising ducks is a very messy and very demanding job.  

Answer 3

OK dude. Ducks, are not a puppy. They will never be completely loyal to you, they only have brains the size of pea's so give them a break.

They are part of the bird family so you need to understand something... THEY EAT SEEDS! Using a heavy mallet, you need to grind up some seeds for them, as they get older toss them in grass to help them get use to finding it themselves. NEVER GIVE THEM BREAD! BREAD = DEAD DUCK! just try not to give them human food in general. Let them walk around in very shallow water for now, the swimming comes lated. Looking after ducks is more of a spectator sport. They won't play fetch or be involved in your life! they'll just be ducks, and sort of mill around in the background. Also they are petrified of your hands so patting won't go down well. Wisshing you the best of Luck, and if they die, maybe don't buy more. :)

Sorry, should add, you really need the special duck seeds... like pellets, not wild seed. and don't forget to grind it up! Otherwise, maybe mush up some worms.

Answer 4

okay i have 2 mallard ducks ur ducklings r ready 2 swim now but only do the water about 6 inches deep :] if they  showing sighns of death then i would get them checked but i fed my ducks some crackers when they where younger and nothing happend but dnt feed it 2 them any more i dnt feed it 2 my ducks cuz it can eventually hurt them try feeding them watermellon cantalope ground corn and ground brocolli

thx have a great day :]

CHEYANNA-BANANA :]

Answer 5

You really need to research looking after an animal properly before buying them.  I don't think ducks are very loyal animals anyway.  You need to find a website with proper care sheets.

Look at this site:

http://www.liveducks.com/care.html

Answer 6

When feeding your ducklings use unmedicated chick starter or duck starter.

Baby ducks can also be given fruits and vegetable, but chopped really fine as baby ducks do not have teeth.

They also enjoy small insects and worms.

DO NOT FEED them whole grains, onions, dry bread, wild birdseed or caged birdseed.