How to Raise a Duckling?

Little Man is an orphan, and it has been a learning experience raising a duckling. They are very small, so when handling them you have to take care not to injure a chick. One of the most interesting things I've learned is that it is not safe to give a duckling bread, to be very honest I found that information on the Internet on a few different websites; the bread swell up in the throat and choke a baby duck.

Did you know that ducks cannot be house trained, nope there is no liter box for ducks; and yes I researched this as well. The reason ducks are so messy, they do not have the muscles to control their functions, for a lack of better or worse words, but this is why they cannot be house broken. In learning this I also found a lady on the Internet who raises ducks and goose that actually makes "duck diapers" and sells them. Keep reading and we'll learn more about that.

Another interesting thing about a duckling that hatches and is raised by humans, a duck will "imprint" in its mind and identify with the first living thing it sees when born. Ah, yeah that means if it is you then that duck will think you are their mother. I used to wonder why Little Man would follow me around and get so excited when he saw me, weird or nature, so I researched more and learned why. I also learned that ducks can see exactly as humans do, full figures and colors.

After posting videos of Little Man on YouTube, my inbox has been flooded with questions about ducklings and raising them as pets, it is simply amazing how much people like these little guy or gals or ducks...more on that later, let's move on for now.

Actually, it just sort of happened. After his show of courage and determination to live I had...respect...ah...did I just say I respect a DUCK, okay he did touch and impress me. Guess to me it was like a baby boy who felt he had to be a Little Man, funny part was I didn't know if he was a girl or boy.

Back to the Internet I went in search for more answers, well, a lady who owns and raises ducks explained that the male's tail goes up, and after watching and watching Little Man certainly appears to be a fellow, a gent, a guy, a boy...a strong, daring, courageous Little Man!

And he knows his name, as a matter of fact so does my dog. If I say to her, "Where's Little Man?" she looks for him, it's funny how animals communicate with us and each other.

When Little Man was a baby, he's over a year old now, his favorite place was on my desk in front of the computer. He was hilarious, as I typed he would peck at the keyboard, if I stopped he stopped. And he enjoyed playing chase, I'd walk fast and he'd chase me all over the place trying to get my feet.

When he learned to swim in the pool, initially I built him a little plank and actually taught him how to use it to get out of the pool like a big boy. If you watch the videos you'll see him using the plank as a raft when he got bigger. He can dive in the pool and jump out now, and watching him swim is a beautiful experience. He will dive head first and go to the bottom of the pool then shoot up and float around.

After giving him a bath he loves to be towel dried, when he sees me holding a towel he comes to me and stands there so I can pat him, ducks learn very fast. And, no I never wanted a duck for a pet, but Little Man sort of grew on me and he needed someone to care for him.

Ducks love to eat AND Little Man loves spaghetti...he loves his pasta, but when it comes to spaghetti he goes crazy, by time he's done he needs a bath because his beak is orange, his chest is red but he's one happy duck!

Ducks like to explore, at least Little Man does, if you let him he will get into everything. The bookshelf is one of his favorite, either he wants to learn to read or he just enjoys the sound of pecking at my books.

Just like a dog or cat likes to be pet, so do ducks, and Little Man will fall asleep if you pet his chest right under his skinny neck.

Two more interesting things I learned, ducks do have tongues but no teeth AND their eyelids close from the bottom up.

Whether you rescue ducklings or decide to buy and raise ducklings it is important to provide a clean, safe living space for your new pet. Building a duck pen is recommended, however before you take on the task of raising a domestic duck remember when your duckling grows it cannot survive on its own like a wild duck. Please, do not raise a duckling with the misconception that you can take it to the lake and set it free when it is grown; it will not survive.

You can build a chicken coop and it will give your duck a safe place to live, eat and move around. In the evening it will keep your duck safe from harm, ducks are easy prey and defenseless. A coop can provide a nice home for your duck.