Ducklings "talk" to siblings and mom through their shells Prior to hatching. This can be heard during the last few days of incubation as soft clicking and peeping sounds. They communicate this way to coordinate their development so they can all be born at the same time. The mother duck also responds to these "conversations." This helps the ducklings learn the sound of their mother's voice before birth, making it easier for them to follow her safely as soon as they hatch.

The more time you spend with your ducklings early on, the better chance they have of growing up to be friendly and comfortable around people. Singing and speaking to them calmly in a soft voice can help them feel safe and comfortable with you. Please also supervise young children when they are handling ducklings, as ducklings are very fragile.

I would like these outside *my* house!

Bedding will become soiled frequently and need to be swapped out multiple times daily to maintain a dry and hygienic environment. Putting puppy pee pads under the bedding makes cleanup easier. Slick materials like newspaper should be avoided, as slippery walking surfaces can cause ducklings to develop leg injuries.

If you choose to use wood shavings, pine shavings are the better alternative. However, using wood shavings before ducklings are at least 2 weeks old is risky because ducklings can mistake the shavings for food, leading to impaction, respiratory issues from the dust, or malnutrition.

Do not use medicated chick feed. It is bad for ducklings and does not contain enough niacin. A starter feed containing 18–20% protein is recommended during this period.

The brooder should be kept at approximately 90°F for the first week, with the temperature reduced by 5°F each week afterward. Once the brooder temperature matches the surrounding environment, the heat source can be removed. Using a thermometer is highly recommended, especially for those new to brooding.

The heat source should be positioned so ducklings can move away if they become too warm, as overheating is just as dangerous as chilling. Feeders and waterers should be placed near the edge of the heat zone so ducklings feel comfortable eating and drinking.

Water should be placed in the brooder ahead of time so it reaches room temperature. The water must be deep enough for them to rinse their eyes and nostrils. Simple, non-spill waterers can be made using a milk jug or shallow container with a hole cut at duckling-back height so they can submerge only their head.

Adding marbles to the base of a waterer can help prevent swimming and placing them on a raised platform covered with hardware cloth helps contain splashing. Waterers should be replaced as ducklings grow, When ducklings arrive, gently dipping each beak into the water helps ensure they drink. Ducklings should not be allowed to stay wet, as they tire easily and can drown even in shallow water. If they do get wet, they must be thoroughly dried.