Raising duck cubs is a process that requires careful care. Below I will give you a detailed description of how to raise duck cubs.
First of all, duck pups need to be kept warm and quiet for 24-48 hours after hatching. The temperature in the incubator or incubator should be maintained at 35-37 degrees Celsius and the humidity should be controlled at about 60-70%. Such an environment can help duck cubs maintain their body temperature and digestive function.
Next, proper drinking water and feed need to be provided. After duck cubs emerge from the shell, they are generally Xi to not drink water for 24 hours, but to absorb the nutrients remaining in the yolk sac in the body. Before starting pecking, a drinker can be added to the basin to guide the pups to drink. The drinking fountain should be kept clean and the water source should be fresh and unpolluted. In terms of feed, you can choose special duck chick food, or you can choose corn, wheat and other grains ground into powder as the starting feed.
To make it easier for the duck cubs to eat, you can sprinkle some water on the feed to make it soggy and soft. At the beginning of feeding, the feed can be sprinkled on pieces of paper or plastic film to guide the pups to peck. Slowly, the feed can be placed in a shallow dish or bowl to make it easier for the pups to feed.
During the growth and development of duck cubs, suitable feed and nutrition need to be provided. The pup stage usually begins after hatching and continues to be 3-4 weeks old. At this stage, high-protein, high-energy, and easy-to-digest feed should be the mainstay. You can choose a commercially available duck-specific feed, or you can add some protein and vitamins as needed.
In addition to feed, duck pups need proper space for exercise and movement. During the pup stage, they can be placed in smaller enclosures to prevent the outside environment from disturbing them. But make sure there is enough space within the enclosure for the duck pups to move around and explore. As the pups grow, the area of the enclosure can be gradually expanded to provide more space for movement.
During the feeding of duck pups, the health of the cubs should be checked regularly. Observe their mental state, appetite, water intake, and stool normalcy. If abnormalities are found, corresponding measures should be taken in time, such as adjusting the diet and improving the environment.
In addition, duck pups need to gradually adapt to the outdoor environment as they grow. At 3-4 weeks of age, the cubs can be placed outdoors in a duck house or enclosure to expose them to natural light and the atmosphere. However, care should be taken to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and cold to ensure the healthy growth of the pups.
In summary, the feeding of duck pups needs to provide a warm, quiet environment with suitable drinking water and feed. At the same time, pay attention to the space for your cub's movement and activities, check your cub's health regularly, and gradually adapt it to the outdoor environment. Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you in raising your duck cubs.