Bringing home baby ducklings is one of the most magical, chaotic, and heart-melting experiences a backyard poultry keeper will ever have. Those tiny webbed feet, soft peeps, and fuzzy bodies make ducklings irresistibly adorable—but they’re also surprisingly delicate during their first week of life. Duckling care isn’t difficult once you understand the basics, but the early days require careful attention to heat, safety, nutrition, hydration, and environment.
Here is everything you need to know about caring for ducklings during their most vulnerable stage. Whether you’re a new duck parent or brushing up on best practices, this first-week survival guide will help ensure your little ones get the strongest, healthiest start possible.
Baby Ducklings Are Not Baby Chickens (And Why That Matters)
Many beginners assume ducklings and chicks can be raised the same way, but ducks have unique needs. They grow faster, produce more moisture, and have very different nutritional requirements. Ducklings drink more water, make more mess, and are far more enthusiastic about splashing—even from day one.
Ducklings also need extra niacin for proper bone development, and they’re more sensitive to overheating. Understanding these differences helps you avoid the most common mistakes new duck owners make.
Preparing the Brooder: Your Ducklings’ First Home
The brooder is the safe, warm space where ducklings live for their first weeks. It keeps them sheltered, contained, and comfortable until they are feathered enough to handle outdoor temperatures.
A brooder can be simple—a plastic tote, a large cardboard box, a kiddie pool, or a stock tank all work perfectly. What matters most is that it's draft-free, escape-proof, and large enough for ducklings to move away from the heat if they need to cool down.
Ducklings grow extremely fast. A brooder that seems huge on day one might feel crowded by day seven, so plan for expansions or upgrades early.
The brooder should have smooth sides or secure mesh to keep ducklings safe from pets and curious children. Bedding should be soft, non-slip, and easy to clean. Pine shavings, straw, or hemp bedding are great choices. Avoid newspaper and cedar shavings—newspaper is slippery and can cause leg injuries, and cedar releases fumes harmful to small birds.
A clean brooder is essential. Ducklings spill water constantly, which can make bedding damp and slippery. Damp bedding chills ducklings and leads to leg issues, illness, or even fatality. Spot-clean multiple times a day and change bedding regularly to keep them dry.
The brooder also needs a secure lid if you have pets, but ensure proper ventilation to prevent heat buildup.
Heat Source: Keeping Ducklings Warm Without Overheating
Heat is the number one priority during the first week of duckling life. Baby ducks cannot regulate their body temperature yet, so they rely completely on an external heat source.
You can use a heat plate, heat lamp, or radiant heater. Heat plates are the safest and most natural, mimicking a mother duck. They reduce fire risk and allow ducklings to choose their comfort level. Heat lamps work too, but must be set up carefully to avoid fire hazards and overheating.
The ideal starting temperature for ducklings is around 90°F (32°C), lowered by about 5°F each week. However, temperature should be adjusted based on duckling behavior, not numbers alone.
If ducklings are too cold, they huddle tightly under the heat source, shivering or crying loudly.
If they’re too hot, they pant, spread out, or avoid the heated area altogether.
If they’re comfortable, they move freely around the brooder, exploring, eating, and resting easily.
Watching behavior tells you far more than a thermometer ever could.
Ducklings also benefit from having both warm and cool areas in the brooder so they can regulate their own comfort. Always position the heat source on one side—not directly in the middle.
Feeding Ducklings: Nutrition Matters Early
Nutrition plays an enormous role in ducklings’ early development. They grow faster than chicks, develop bones more rapidly, and need proper feed to prevent long-term issues.
Ducklings should eat unmedicated starter feed formulated for waterfowl. If duck starter isn’t available, you can use unmedicated chick starter but with added niacin. Niacin (vitamin B3) is essential for proper bone and leg development. Without it, ducklings develop weakness, deformities, or walking difficulties.
Niacin supplements come in two easy forms:
Brewer’s yeast—sprinkled onto feed daily
Liquid niacin—added to drinking water based on instructions
Ducklings also love greens, but these should be finely chopped and given in moderation, always with grit available if the greens aren't soft enough to break down easily.
Avoid giving ducklings bread, crackers, processed foods, or high-sugar treats. They need nutrient-dense feed to support rapid growth.
Water Setup: Safe Drinking and Controlled Splashing
Ducklings must always have access to water deep enough to submerge their beaks but shallow enough to prevent accidental drowning. Ducklings breathe through their nostrils, so they need to dunk their beaks to clear their sinuses and swallow food.
However, too much water too soon can be dangerous. Ducklings love swimming, but their feathers aren’t waterproof yet. Without waterproofing, they get soaked, chilled, and exhausted—sometimes fatally.
You can introduce short, shallow, supervised splash time after the first week, but only with warm water and immediate drying afterward. Never allow unsupervised swimming during the first couple of weeks.
The waterer should be designed to minimize spilling. A mason-jar-style waterer or a small rubber dish with hardware cloth across the top works well. Ducklings enjoy splashing, but keeping the brooder dry is essential.
Change water frequently. Ducklings love to mix everything in their water—feed, bedding, and even poop—so freshness is a constant task. Clean, fresh water prevents illness and keeps ducklings thriving.
First Week Behavior: What’s Normal and What’s Not
Healthy ducklings are active, curious, and vocal. They explore their environment, preen their fluffy feathers, nap frequently, and eat with gusto.
Ducklings also sleep in adorable “pile ups,” laying close together for comfort. Occasional peeping is normal, but constant loud crying usually signals discomfort—hunger, cold, thirst, or stress.
Healthy first-week behaviors include:
• Exploring the brooder
• Dunking their beaks
• Preening their fluff
• Sleeping in warm clusters
• Running excitedly to the food dish
• Wagging their tiny tails after drinking
Behaviors that signal issues include:
• Lethargy or refusal to move
• Shivering constantly
• Loud distress peeping
• Labored breathing
• Splayed legs
• Refusal to eat or drink
Address concerns promptly, as ducklings decline quickly when something is wrong.
Handling Ducklings: Bonding Without Stress
Ducklings bond quickly with humans, especially when handled gently and frequently. Begin by placing your hand in the brooder so they can explore you on their own terms. Scoop from underneath rather than grabbing from above—predators attack from above, so this can trigger fear.
Support their bodies with both hands. Keep handling sessions short and calm during the first week. As ducklings grow, they become more confident and willing to interact.
Ducklings often imprint on their caregivers and will follow you around the yard chirping happily. This bonding makes duck ownership incredibly rewarding.
Brooder Enrichment: Stimulate Growing Minds
Even during their first week, ducklings enjoy simple enrichment. A small stuffed animal provides comfort, and a low mirror encourages interaction. Clean pebbles, small safe branches, or textured mats stimulate curiosity and movement.
Enrichment helps ducklings develop strong muscles, reduces stress, and prevents boredom. Since ducklings process the world through their beaks, gentle sensory experiences help them grow smarter and more confident.
Avoid adding complex items or anything they might get trapped under, stuck in, or tangled with. Safety always comes first.
Preventing Common Problems in the First Week
Ducklings are hardy but vulnerable. The most common issues in the first week include chilling, overheating, niacin deficiency, dehydration, slipped tendons, and messy brooder conditions.
To prevent these issues:
• Keep bedding dry
• Monitor heat closely
• Ensure clean water at all times
• Supplement niacin if necessary
• Avoid overcrowding
• Provide proper nutrition
Early attention prevents long-term problems.
When Can Ducklings Go Outside?
During the first week, outdoor trips should be minimal and always supervised. Short “sunshine sessions” can be beneficial when the weather is mild. Ten minutes on warm, dry grass exposes them to natural light and stimulates their senses.
But ducklings should not live outdoors full-time until fully feathered, typically around six to eight weeks old. Even then, they need a secure night coop and protection from predators.
Ducklings Bring Joy—and Responsibility
Raising ducklings is pure joy. Their silly antics, curious nature, and sweet chirps make them some of the most delightful baby animals to raise. But proper care—especially during that first, fragile week—sets the foundation for their long-term health and happiness.
With a warm brooder, proper nutrition, safe water setup, and attentive observation, you’ll guide your ducklings through their earliest days with confidence. And soon enough, those tiny fluffballs will transform into lively, splashing, garden-exploring ducks who brighten your homestead every single day.