Caring for Abandoned Ducklings

Abandoned ducklings are unfortunately all too common, whether from domestic or wild ducks. Ducks can sometimes be unpredictable mothers, and discovering lone ducklings left to fend for themselves is a heart-wrenching experience. Their vulnerability pulls at your heartstrings, especially knowing how quickly they can become prey or drown.

Both wild and domestic ducks will abandon ducklings, and they usually don’t make it more than a day or two.  Wild ducklings are vulnerable to predators and drowning without a mother to guide them.  Domestic ducklings are attacked by other birds in the coop without a mother hovering over them.

Some ducklings are sometimes abandoned almost by accident.

In our case, a mother duck hatched out a clutch of 12 and stopped sitting.  She still had 4 eggs left in the nest, but something told her that an even dozen was enough!

A young (1-year-old) duck without a nest of her own decided to sit on the nest once their mother had left, and managed to hatch out 4 more ducklings from the surplus eggs they’d abandoned.  Unfortunately, she wasn’t very interested in mothering them.

A duck that already has babies will often adopt abandoned ducklings, so long as they’re about the same age as her own.  Perhaps her mothering instinct is strongest right after her babies hatch, or perhaps she just can’t tell them apart.

With a  2+ week difference in ages, the current mothers are not willing to take on extra responsibilities.

Not only do they not adopt the new babies, but they’ll actually go out of their way to attack and try to kill them.  Two ducklings were found dead, and two more were hiding in a corner trying to avoid the cranky group of mother ducks.

Time to intervene and hand raise some fluffy cuteness, but what to do with abandoned baby ducks?

How to Care for Ducklings

So long as they’re well cared for, ducklings can be re-introduced back into the flock with no issues. 

It takes about 6-8 weeks for ducklings to become self-sufficient.  If you’re caring for abandoned ducklings, make sure you plan on housing for at least that long.

Housing

When it comes to housing, simplicity works wonders, but safety is key. Ducklings need a space where they can feel secure, warm, and dry. A cardboard box will do in a pinch, but we quickly learned that something a little more durable, like a Rubbermaid tote, works much better. Ducklings are surprisingly messy, and a tote keeps the bedding in place, making cleaning much easier.

Now, when it comes to bedding, this is where we really learned the hard way. Ducklings are naturally wet creatures, especially when they splash around in their water. They’ll get everything soaked in no time! Make sure you provide a good, thick layer of bedding—about 1-2 inches deep—to soak up the moisture and keep them dry and warm. Straw, hay, or dry grass work best, but you can also use leaves. The key is ensuring the bedding is absorbent enough to keep them from getting cold and wet.

Paper towels are also an option for the first few days, especially for cleaning up, but be ready to change them daily since they get soaked quickly.

Feeding Ducklings

When it comes to feeding ducklings, the most important thing I learned is that they’re hungry little creatures, and their nutritional needs are different from chickens.

While chicken feed can work in a pinch, it’s not ideal since it’s typically lower in protein. Some commercial chicken feeds are sometimes medicated, which can be harmful to ducklings, so if you find yourself in a situation where chicken feed is all you have access to, make sure it’s unmedicated.

That said, the best option for ducklings is a high-protein game bird starter crumble or a mixed flock starter crumbler. This feed is formulated to meet the specific needs of young waterfowl and will give your ducklings the protein and nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. It’s a great choice, and I found it made a huge difference in the growth rate and overall health of our ducklings.

Ducklings should have free access to food and water at all times. Set up a feeder that they can access throughout the day, so they can nibble whenever they’re hungry. They’ll regulate their own intake, and as long as the feed is available, they’ll be just fine.

In addition to their main feed, ducklings enjoy snacking on things like chopped greens, bugs, and even small pieces of fruit, but keep those treats in moderation. A little greenery like dandelion leaves or kale can be a great addition to their diet and give them some extra nutrients, but their main food should be the high-protein crumble to ensure they grow properly.

Water (& Drowning Concerns)

Don’t forget water—ducklings are obsessed with water, and it’s essential for digestion and keeping their little bodies hydrated. Make sure they have access to clean water at all times. I found it was helpful to keep their water in a shallow dish or a small trough, so they could drink and splash around without making too much of a mess, though they always seemed to find a way to get wet no matter what!

Ducks are water-loving creatures, and they go through far more water in a day than chickens do. However, when it comes to young ducklings, water needs to be managed carefully. For lone ducklings, the water should be very shallow, and it’s important to set it up so they can’t climb into it or get stuck. At this stage, safety is key.

Very young ducklings are especially at risk of drowning because they don’t yet produce the natural oils that adults use to keep themselves dry and buoyant. While they may get a small amount of oils from their mother through contact, this doesn’t provide the protection they need for swimming. Even though a mother duck can take her ducklings for brief swims, she knows their limits and ensures they don’t get too wet.

For this reason, you should avoid giving ducklings access to deeper water until they’re mostly feathered in. I learned this lesson the hard way when I found our 4-week-old ducklings had become waterlogged and drowned in only 6-8 inches of water. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s one of those lessons you don’t forget.

In the beginning, their water should be just enough for drinking and dipping their beaks in—nothing deep enough for them to crawl into or swim in. As they grow and start developing their natural oils and strength, you can gradually increase the water depth, giving them more freedom to explore safely.

Remember, as much as ducks love the water, their safety should always come first. Keep water shallow and supervised until they’re ready to fully enjoy it.

Heat

You’ve probably read all over the internet about heat lamps being a must for ducklings, but here’s the thing: they don’t always need them. We learned that lesson after our first year brooding ducklings. In those early days, I had the heat lamp going around the clock, making sure they stayed warm, but that heat lamp quickly drained our off-grid homestead’s batteries. After a few cloudy days, we were left with no power—and worried ducklings.

Since then, we’ve brooded ducklings without the need for a heat lamp, and I can confidently say, it works just fine. Over the years, we’ve raised ducklings in a box in the garage throughout June, July, and August—and we’ve never lost a single one. The warmth of the garage, combined with good bedding, was all they needed to stay comfortable and happy.

That said, if you have access to power and want to provide a little extra warmth, a heat lamp could be a nice touch. Plate style heaters that the ducklings walk under are much safter than bulb style heaters (which can be a fire hazard), and they’re what I’d recommend.

In a pinch, you can use a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel and replaced frequently. It’ll keep them warm in chilly weather, provided they in an indoor location with protection from the elements.

Time and Care

Ducklings are fast growers! Depending on the breed, they’ll usually reach full size in about 8-12 weeks. But during those first six weeks, they’ll need your attention and care. They can’t be reintroduced to the flock until they’re big enough to hold their own, which means you’ll need to keep them safe and fed until they’re ready.

For us, the time spent brooding those first few weeks became an unforgettable bonding experience. I can still picture their little faces peeking up at me, their tiny beaks chirping as I filled their water bowl. It wasn’t just about keeping them alive; it was about giving them a strong, healthy start in life.

Once they’re ready, the ducks are integrated into the flock, and you get to watch them thrive.