Raising a Duckling
By kedralynn
@kedralynn (980)
United States
July 7, 2011 5:08pm CST
It's been quite some time since I've been on mylot. But recently my boyfriend and I adopted a baby duck and I thought I'd ask if any of you have raised a duck?
It's a rather unique pet I suppose. Most of my friends tease me about wanting to eat my lil' duckling and I don't find it funny. We've only had the duck a couple weeks (no name yet as we don't know if it's a boy or a girl for a few more weeks) and I truly feel the duck has become family. It follows me around from room to room and all over the yard.It's also growing crazy fast! At 4 weeks of age, it's about the size of my foot.
So do you or have you owned a duck? Have any advice for a first time duck raiser? I know the basics but would love to know more!
Thanks guys. Have a good day!
2 people like this
6 responses
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
8 Jul 11
We have some ducks here that we have raised as well. They don't seem to follow me around but I do enjoy seeing them run free in the yard. They are white, but I have one gray one too. I really do not have any advice, except for the idea of leaving them where they can get water and that the older ones really like to swim.
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Yeah ours is about 4 weeks old and really loves water. But he's not a strong swimmer just yet so we have to supervise him so he doesn't drown. They are super cute, even as adults :)
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Well... ducks are rather needy and as a baby they are much like an infant child. They need heat lamps, special food, they can drown in a big water dish, and they can't get cold. They can choke on many different foods and they hate to be left alone. It's a lot harder than just feeding it and giving it water. It also goes to the bathroom a lot! Which means a lot of cleaning.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
7 Jul 11
I'm sorry I never have raised a duckling, but your description makes me somehow want to. They sound so cute. During my telesales days I once spoke to a lady who was raising a duck, who was quacking loudly as I was speaking to her; and she said this was quite common as if the duck were speaking to her. So clearly ducks are a good sight more social and intelligent than many might believe. Good luck.
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
7 Jul 11
Oh yes, the duck is very smart and very social-able. It gets along well with my dog too. However it poops all the time! Which is not fun. Also my duck doesn't like to be left alone so I need to find a sitter for it when I go to work. But it's been a fun experience so far! Thanks!
@whispers168 (768)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I have raised a lot of ducks.I love them and they are so sweet.The grow fast in your heart and in size.Ducks are special.We have a park in my home town with a large pound.After my babies grew up I released them into the park for everyone to enjoy.Make sure your baby has some where to swim cause they love water...Smiles :)
@kedralynn (980)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Yeah when it's old enough to properly swim, we're getting it a kiddie pool. For now it likes to play with the water from the hose and we give it baths in the kitchen sink.
I never thought I'd love a duck so much but it really is very sweet and cute. And yes it has grown sooo fast! I had no idea it would double in size in two weeks!
We got a domesticated Mallard. It's a flightless breed so we're not sure if we'll set it free or keep it. I would like to someday have multiple ducks so it has friends to play with :)
@nordqvist11 (118)
• Mexico
9 Jul 11
I have owned a duck before and it was a very interesting period of my life. I was around 4 years old and my mother got it for me for my birthday. It was great company and I remember seeing him everyday. It's funny though because I can only recall seeing him when I was bathing. Hmm, maybe it was a rubber duck.
@Pippikins (49)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Ducks can be great companions. I've raised a few. I also knew I guy that rescued a duck from being attacked my dogs and the duck lived in his room with him. Ducks are a lot more intelligent than people give them credit for. We would fill a trashcan lid with water for our ducks but when they get bigger you might want to set up a kiddie pool until you can get them something deeper. You can get poultry food at any feed store and they love your leftover fruits and veggies(even if it is moldy). If you want to keep it around for its entire life, I recommend getting it a buddy soon(preferably another duckling) if you aren't planning on spending all your time with it. Because if you introduce it to other ducks too late it might be terrified. Keep me posted. I'd like to hear how this turns out.
