How to Care for a Duckling I Found

Ducklings are born able to feed and fend for themselves. Although relatively independent, however, they do require special care in order to thrive. Domestic ducklings grow quickly, make big messes and require constant care. Federal regulations specific to Wildlife and Fisheries forbid keeping wild ducklings without a license, so contact your local game warden office if you find any.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden or cardboard box
  • Newspaper
  • Heat source: heating lamp, a warm, water bottle, a light globe or a chicken brooder lamp
  • Ice cream lid or flat surface for feeding
  • Shallow dish
  • Pebbles
  • Finely shredded vegetables such as carrots, lettuce
  • Meal worms
  • Duck, chicken or turkey starter food and/or crumble
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Instructions

  1. Housing

    • 1

      Use a large cardboard or wooden box to create a confined space for small ducklings. Line the box with newspaper for easier clean-up. Since ducklings grow rapidly, be prepared to provide a larger living space later.

    • 2

      Provide a source of heat for very small ducklings. The Bird Care &Conservation Society states that ducklings will need at least three weeks of a heat provision. Areas with warm days will only need heat sources during night hours. Use a heating lamp, a warm, water bottle, a light globe or a chicken brooder lamp. Do not use underneath heating for ducklings, as they need to be able to move away from the heat.

    • 3

      Consider creating a dark refuge in which the ducklings can hide and sleep. Ducklings naturally like to hide, tend to be shy and desire privacy. Cut a doorway in a smaller box, then place it upside down in the larger box, to provide this sanctuary.

    • 4

      Keep ducklings away from loud areas and children. The Bird Care &Conservation Society states that ducklings are easily stressed and should be kept away from high-traffic areas, children and pets.

    Watering and Feeding

    • 5

      Craft a duckling feeder using a flat surface instead of a bowl. Flat surfaces such as a large lid from an ice cream container are perfect for feeding ducklings. Throw out all leftover food before placing out new food for ducklings.

    • 6

      Create a duckling water bowl by filling a shallow dish with pebbles and then filling with water. The Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife warns against using any type of watering system that will allow the ducklings to become completely immersed, which can result in death from drowning and low body temperatures. Ducklings need fresh, clean water daily.

    • 7

      Feed ducklings a combination of foods including: finely shredded vegetables such as carrots and lettuce; meal worms; and duck, chicken or turkey starter food and/or crumble from a farming/ranching supply store. The Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife states that ducklings should not be fed the medicated forms of chicken/turkey starters.

    • 8

      Feed ducklings bread crumbs sparingly. The Bird Care &Conservation Society suggest feeding a maximum of one slice of bread per 10 ducklings.

    • 9

      Provide ducklings a weed patch to feed from in addition to regular feedings. Use a low-sided container such as a cat littler tray filled with dirt and weeds dug from your garden to create a duckling weed patch. The Bird Care &Conservation Society recommends providing fresh weeds for ducks to eat daily, cleaning out old weeds before new plants are placed in the patch.