lisatheduck Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hello everyone, Next daft duckling question: is it safe to put ducklings on straw or the small woodchip you use for hamsters? At the moment, the little monsters are on newspaper, but they keep playing with their water and making it soggy, so it all becomes a big mess I wanted to put them on something more absorbent so they don't get a chill, but am worried about hurting their feet - any ideas?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi Lisa Our ducklings were hatched under the duck and they went straight onto straw. They were fine. Make sure it is straw and not hay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisatheduck Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Brilliant! Thanks Lesley - that will help with the mucking out and the smell!! I've been told that they shouldn't go into an eglu (or any coop) on their own until thye grow feathers - is that right?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I would assume they are like chicks which are hatched in an incubator - they will need to be kept inside and with some heat until they have grown their feathers. At the moment, the weather will be warm enough in the day to turn the lamp off, but put it on through the night. If the weather goes colder then they may need a little heat in the day as well - raise the lamp fairly high and see if they huddle together. If they do, lower it until they stop huddling and just behave like little ducklings, eating and drinking and waddling around! When they start feathering, reduce the amount of heat they have until they are ready to go out - about 4-6 weeks. Then you'll need to put them out in the Eglu during the day but bring them in at night for a few nights. If the weather is very warm at night, you could skip that bit. I've been lucky with putting the new chicks out in the Eglu - it has been so warm that I left them and didn't bother bringing them in at all. I don't envy you your job for the next few weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisatheduck Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Thanks so much for your advice Lesley - invaluable, honestly! I've been surfing the web like a mad thing, but it's hard to find concise, detailed advice on specific topics like this for ducklings! I must admit, it's more work than I'd anticipated, but they're sooo cute, it's worth it! It's also really satisfying to see them eat and grow, and cheep contentedly....it's going to be very sad waving them off down the river I'll do exactly as you say, and thanks so much for all your help - this really is a brilliant forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 You sound like you're doing an excellent job Lisa - but I'm no expert, please keep reading the books as well! - and let us know how you are getting on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisatheduck Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Will do....and I'll try to get some photos up, too Thansk again for all your advice and patience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
