Expert: Julia Booth - 7/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: We have 4 baby ducks in our yard/pool. They are about 3 weeks old.
We are wondering...at what age will they be able to fly?  It has been
touch-and-go devising contraptions and techniques to protect them
from the hawks.  So far, we lost only 2.  (6 hatched). Also..we have been feeding
them bread.  They seem to like it.  But is there something better?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Poultry feed is ideal for them -definitely better than bread. It might be found at a pet store or a place that sells horse tack supplies.

Typically ducklings can swim immediately after hatching and can begin trying to fly about two months later.

In the wild, ducks can have clutches of 12-15 babies and ordinarily only one will survive to breed.

Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Julia,
You probably remember me...the duckling that the mother tried to kill.  He
is doing fine.  Most of the time, he is indoors a cage, next to a large closet
mirror, snuggled-up to his mirror friend.  I give him exercise in the pool by
placing his cage on the top step...it is thus an enclosed swim.  (I am afraid
that ifhe is free, he will get away...he is SO fast.)  I also built a small pen in
the yard. When he is larger, I will take him over to the mother and the other
3 chicks.  Right now, if she tries again to kill him, she might succeed.  
Anyway, he is safe, and he is growing.  My question:  After he eats, his crop
is gigantic.  I take the duck food away, and put it back about 5 hours later.
I am afraid he will explode.  Will he eat himself to death if I leave the food
in his cage all of the time?  My baby pigeons get a large crop, but not THIS
large.  Another pigeon difference:   His wings are TINY.  He is 5 weeks old.  I
worry that he is malformed.  I guess ducks are different than pigeons, and
their wings grow late.  Anyway, please tell me if I should leave the food
in there all of the time.  Thank you.  Robert.

Answer
Ducks do love reflective surfaces. Just make sure he doesn't peck it, because it will break.

About the wing -there are some serious wing malformations that can occur in domestic ducks and geese whenever their diet is imbalanced. Wikipedia gives a decent explanation of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Wing

Ducks can eat themselves to death, especially when they are getting domestic food. If his crop is that swollen after he eats, he's probably eating too much, or there could be something else wrong. Could be blockage or some gastro-intestinal issue. If it persists, I would speak with the vet about his diet.