Once you decide to raise ducks, you need to be dedicated to their care and well being and the task is not necessarily a simple one. They tend to be easier to care for than other types of fowl however.
Duck eggs usually take 28 days to hatch but some breeds take as long as 35 days. Plan ahead of time if you want to hatch the eggs. Make sure the incubator is prepared in advance before purchasing duck eggs. Let the incubator stabilize before placing the eggs inside. Carefully select the eggs you use, eggs should be set in the incubator 1-3 days after they were laid. After you place the eggs in the incubator, you should check them at least 4 times each day.
Hatching duck eggs
When you check the eggs, turn them over so that they receive heat on all sides. Remove the unfit eggs after 1 week. Transfer the eggs to hatching trays after 25 days.
You can either remove them to a separate hatching machine or change the settings of the incubator to accommodate them as they hatch. Remove hatched ducklings once 90-95% of the ducklings have hatched and dried. Transfer them into a brooder.
Caring for ducklings
Buy as few as two ducklings. You will be able to care for a smaller number better especially if raising ducks is new experience. Deep the beaks in shallow room temperature water to hydrate them.
Always provide ducklings with plenty of water. Setup a brooder for your ducklings to keep them safe and warm. Keep the brooder warm. After the ducklings become fully feathered, Transfer them to a protective shelter. Feed them a regular supply of food and handle your ducklings often.
Caring for ducks
If you are buying ducks, buy 2-4 ducks to start with. Provide ducks with plenty of water. Feed adult ducks with balanced feed. Keep adequate shelter for your ducks to protect them from wild predators and bad weather. Keep your ducks fenced in and always mind after the ducks health.
Ducks can be raised as pets, for eggs, for meat or for sale as ducks, ducklings or their eggs.
