Care of Day-Old Ducklings

Raising ducklings can be very rewarding, but you'll need to prepare for them. Day-old ducklings can be purchased from February to May from farm magazines, local farms, agriculture instructors at local colleges, and vocational schools. Purchase ducklings in May, as temperatures are warmer at this time and you won't have to dedicate as much time to monitoring temperature in the duckling pen. Keep your ducklings inside until they are at least four days old to give them ample time to adjust to life outside of the egg in a safe, warm environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Fine mesh fencing material
  • 4 pieces of plywood 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet
  • Saw
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Kiddie pool
  • Hanging chick feeder
  • Duck starter ration
  • Duck pellet food
  • Corn cob litter, wood shavings, sawdust or straw
  • Ten large towels
  • Water fountain or water pan
  • 250-watt heat lamp bulb
  • Porcelain socket
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Build an enclosed pen on a concrete floor out of fine mesh fencing material to keep predators out. If you have 15 ducklings, build a pen that measures 5 by 5 feet; for 30 ducklings, build a pen 10 feet by 10 feet. The ducklings won't need litter on the floor right away. Cover the floor with corn cob litter, wood shavings, sawdust or straw when the ducklings are two weeks old.

    • 2

      Saw a sheet of plywood into pieces 2.5 feet long and 2.5 feet wide. Nail the boards together to form a box with one open side wall and an open floor. Place it and a small kiddie pool inside the pen and fill the pool halfway with fresh water. Hang a 250-watt heat lamp bulb in a porcelain socket from the center of the box, about 2.5 feet above the ducklings. Keep the light on.

    • 3

      Fill a hanging chick feeder with 1 part duck starter ration and 3 parts duck pellet food. Crumble the food mixture into small pieces as you pour it into the feeder.

    • 4

      Set the feeder on the floor of the pen. Fold a towel in half and then in half again. Place the towel directly in front of the feeder so the ducklings can climb up on it to reach the feeder trough. You may have to use two stacked folded towels depending on the height of the feeder feeder trough.

    • 5

      Provide a commercially available water fountain or a water pan that is at least 3 inches deep and keep it filled with fresh water next to the feeder behind the towel. Change out the towel or towels twice a day to maintain cleanliness.

    • 6

      Pick up ducklings gently by positioning your palm underneath their chest and simultaneously supporting their neck.