Duck and Duckling Care

Ducklings need a heat source for approximately 2-3 weeks, though the exact duration depends on the ducklings' age and ambient temperature and humidity. Gradually decrease heat by 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week, starting at around 90°F for newborns, until the ducklings are comfortable and fully feathered. If they are panting, they are too hot, if they are huddled together all the time, they are likely cold.

Ducks have a higher niacin requirement than other fowl. I feed specific waterfowl feed that meets these requirements. If you feed chicken or all flock feed, you may need to supplement niacin to your ducks. I use nutritional yeast if I’m concerned they are deficient. I’m a big fan of Mazuri and Kalmbach waterfowl feeds. Ducklings need starter/duckling food for the first two weeks, then they can be transitioned to a lower protein regular waterfowl feed. If they are kept on higher protein feed for too long, they can have growth and developmental issues.

Water! Ducklings and ducks need water deep enough to dunk their entire heads. They need this to clean their eyes and nares (nostrils). They also need water to help eat their food. If you can give them a kiddie pool they will love playing in the water and preening their feathers. It is important that ducklings and ducks can get out of their pools (have steps on the inside and outside), if they get stuck, they can become water-logged and drown. Also be careful that ducklings don’t catch a chill playing in water in cool weather.

Welsh Harlequin ducks typically start laying eggs when they are 6 to 8 months old, though the exact timing can vary. Factors like the amount of daylight they receive can influence this, and shorter days during winter may cause them to delay laying until spring. Egg laying will also slow down or stop when they are molting their feathers.

You don’t need a drake for your hens to lay eggs. You only need a drake if you want fertile eggs. You should have at least 5-8 hens per drake. Drakes can be kept in a bachelor group away from the hens.

My ducks prefer mealworms, soldier fly larvae, and other dried bugs as treats rather than scratch grains. They are excellent foragers and love looking for goodies in the lawn. They are susceptible to predators and are too big to fly more than a few feet, so you will want to protect them.