Cuddling time with baby ducks ok?

[seben75]

Sorry if this may be a strange question... First-time duck owner here!

My 3 Blue Swedish babies are just a week old, and have been in their brooder all this while. They know my face, hands, and voice.

Yesterday, I found out that despite their immense hatred of being carried from their brooder to the couch, once we've made it to the destination, they play on my belly, preen my beard and everything.

Once they get tired, they snuggle in the crook of my arm and sleep.

This sleep seems to go for an hour or so until I get nervous that they're not eating and drinking (but they are pooping) during this longish period of time, and I deliberately wake them up to take them back to their brooder box...

Because, like, what if they just wanna sleep forever, y'know?!

So, what's a good time limit for cuddles and naps outside the brooder box with the human?

Thank you!
Santhosh

 

[Wynette]

Sorry if this may be a strange question... First-time duck owner here!

My 3 Blue Swedish babies are just a week old, and have been in their brooder all this while. They know my face, hands, and voice.

Yesterday, I found out that despite their immense hatred of being carried from their brooder to the couch, once we've made it to the destination, they play on my belly, preen my beard and everything.

Once they get tired, they snuggle in the crook of my arm and sleep.

This sleep seems to go for an hour or so until I get nervous that they're not eating and drinking (but they are pooping) during this longish period of time, and I deliberately wake them up to take them back to their brooder box...

Because, like, what if they just wanna sleep forever, y'know?!

So, what's a good time limit for cuddles and naps outside the brooder box with the human?

Thank you!
Santhosh

It sounds like you're being smart about watching them closely; ducklings need to be kept warm, like around 90-95 degrees, so you definitely don't want them to get too cold. I would think an hour would be just about the top limit you'd want to have them out of the brooder, until they're a little older. Enjoy! I have a Black Swede & she's a lovely gal.

 

[seben75]

It sounds like you're being smart about watching them closely; ducklings need to be kept warm, like around 90-95 degrees, so you definitely don't want them to get too cold. I would think an hour would be just about the top limit you'd want to have them out of the brooder, until they're a little older. Enjoy! I have a Black Swede & she's a lovely gal.

Thank you!

Actually, while I was typing this post, I was cuddling with them as they napped. Except this time, it was only for 15 minutes, and they woke up on their own to let me know they were hungry (restless cheeping/nibbling around my stomach and lap in that foraging kind of way).

 

[ADuckDad]

Any thoughts on HOW MANY DAYS old the duckling should be before taking it out to cuddle?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Taking it out of the brooder or away from mama? As long as mama doesn't care and you don't take it away from her[that would probably really upset her] a sweet cuddle would be fine. As for in the brooder I take mine out lot and cuddle and let them run around on the floor while we sit on the floor and watch.