I just saw this, but I heard that if you use some apple cider vinegar (give them some straight via a dropper), it can actually help them, depending on what is wrong with them. If you started them out on medicated feed and withdrew it too fast, that can cause them to die. We lost some nice chickens that way, so we don't use the medicated feed anymore. We also had a bunch of adult birds die because the feed store accidentally sold us some medicated feed, which we didn't know about at the time, and it killed off a bunch of hens. Organic raw apple cider vinegar is supposed to be very good for livestock and humans too.

Goodness! I guess all these strong feelings about your ducklings means that you all care for them a great deal. That's a good thing! :) I'm always learning something new here and I love all the input. I have played the "mama" part with my first and only 2 babies. My mallard is about a month old and his playmate is a little over a week old now, and is a Blue Swedish. I've offered them chick starter and they seem okay with that. They also have some greens everyday. I've also offered them tepid water in a shallow pan, but I didn't know about them needing to get their entire heads into the water. I will remember that from now on. I've been letting them play in about 2 inches of warmish water in the bathtub with food in the bottom. I did already know about them needing to be warmed up quickly after getting wet. They seem cold when they're through playing in the water. I remove them and wrap them in a warm towel. Then I lay down on the floor beside them and let them get under my shirt. I breath warm air on them and rub them lightly with the towel while they preen and fall asleep. I have never put them back in their pen while they are wet, though. I know they'd get mighty sick mighty quick. While they are so young I keep a couple of fleece throws for them to cuddle up in while they are penned and in their box. The pen and box have been moved to the garage now and I use a heat lamp for them. My mother raised chickens, so I knew a little bit about birds and used some of what she taught me to help me with these little ducklings. No breeze or wind is a very important point. Thanks for teaching me about the depth of water so they can clean their bills, nostrils and eyes. Aren't they just the cutest little creatures you've ever seen? I just love ducks! I'm so glad one of them found me. :) Maggie chickenmama1

Is this a wild or domestic duckling? It must be getting big by now! Do you still have it?

Hi Julie, I too started my ducks out in the house. I got the first duckling a companion early on so she could have a friend. The first one acted very much like yours, with the chirping and the fear of hands coming at her (so did the second one). I know it's not my business, but why are you going to keep this duck in the house after it's big enough to live outside? Ducks are not indoor creatures, they need room to forage and a small pool to bathe in and a secure pen to spend the night in. Please don't put a diaper on your duck, it sounds awful. I know there are people who have done just that, but don't you have a yard, even a small one? Ducks are messy, which I'm sure you know by now. Do right by the little guy; get it a friend, an outside space with a water source, even if it's small will do. My ducks went outside when they were six weeks to a pen with a small foot tub as a bath. They went out with the chickens after they seemed big enough to defend themselves and come in willingly at dusk back to the pen. If you have a yard, please do your duck justice, get it a friend, build a small secure pen, and create a small water source (for bathing). Your duck will still love you, in fact, it will love you even more!