hi, this is my first post in one or so years or i am not sure.....I used to be Cavylover17... sooo hi!
My dilemma is....my boyfriend went to the fair and bought me a baby duckling who is yellow all over with some darkening around the head but in general looks like a peking...i hope at least....it is by my guess about under a week old or about that much old....it is in a box right now with a heating light i've used for my previous chicks so i know its warm enough and works...and gave it a water dish and food and it has played in the water and drank and ate...and is right now lightly chirping and sitting under the lamp...my questions are...is that enough for ducks? im new to ducks, i have raised baby chickens before....he sneezed a few times earlier ,,,,so i got worried and put this lamp that is warm enough on is that still ok? i don't want him to have a cold or something...is it normal for ducklings to chirp constantly? right now he's pretty near quiet but the other part of the time he chirps over and over and over and if is scared as in alone he screams louder...which i understand is fear or alarm but....chirping is that ok? or is he not ok somehow? and how long till he sprouts feathers? lol...or is it the same care as a baby chick? and lastly, how do you all handle them enough to make them love you and chase after you and follow you? if they are raised by heat lamp wouldn't they not as likely be as close to you? or do you focus on that after they are feathered? Sorry for all the questions...thanks!
-Keri W.
My dilemma is....my boyfriend went to the fair and bought me a baby duckling who is yellow all over with some darkening around the head but in general looks like a peking...i hope at least....it is by my guess about under a week old or about that much old....it is in a box right now with a heating light i've used for my previous chicks so i know its warm enough and works...and gave it a water dish and food and it has played in the water and drank and ate...and is right now lightly chirping and sitting under the lamp...my questions are...is that enough for ducks? im new to ducks, i have raised baby chickens before....he sneezed a few times earlier ,,,,so i got worried and put this lamp that is warm enough on is that still ok? i don't want him to have a cold or something...is it normal for ducklings to chirp constantly? right now he's pretty near quiet but the other part of the time he chirps over and over and over and if is scared as in alone he screams louder...which i understand is fear or alarm but....chirping is that ok? or is he not ok somehow? and how long till he sprouts feathers? lol...or is it the same care as a baby chick? and lastly, how do you all handle them enough to make them love you and chase after you and follow you? if they are raised by heat lamp wouldn't they not as likely be as close to you? or do you focus on that after they are feathered? Sorry for all the questions...thanks!
-Keri W.