It is $125 to participate in the duckling program. A $25 deposit is required at booking, and the remainder is due at pickup.

When ducklings come back to the farm, they either spend the rest of their lives here with us in the barnyard in our layer or breeder flocks, or they go to other families who have raised ducklings and have decided they want more! We have a waitlist for socialized ducklings; they're in demand, as their temperament is much calmer than ducks raised without so much human contact. Rest assured that your ducklings will have a good home.

We get it. Accidents and predators happen, even when you're being incredibly attentive and doing everything right. Though not common, losses and injuries happen and that is part of having pets and livestock. ​If one of your ducklings appears injured, please let us know. We can provide additional care here at the farm and provide a buddy for your other duckling (they will bond!) Please do not let this concern keep you from having an awesome experience!

We do not sex ducklings here, as the process can be damaging to their little bodies. We are typically able to tell the hens (females) from the drakes (males) by 5 weeks. This is when their voices change! The females will make the distinctive quacking sound you expect from ducks, while the males will make a raspy “mepmepmep” type of noise. Drakes often retain their peep longer than females too,

That depends on the size of your brooder bin/tote. But all you'll need to do is dump the whole thing out into your compost or green bag, and replace with fresh shavings. If you do not have a garden or compost to dispose of waste, this can be collected in a garbage bag and returned to the farm. We highly recommend that you stick to the bedding provided, as newsprint and other bedding options can be too slippery and lead to leg problems. Do NOT use cedar shavings if you have them from other pets - they can be toxic to ducklings! Additional bedding can be purchased for $15 a bale if you need it.

Young ducklings like to snuggle and cuddle. Keeping them warm is important for the first few weeks. A heat lamp isn't necessary if you're keeping them indoors during this time - they will enjoy the 20-22 C temperatures in your home. You will know if they are too cold if they are shivering or if they're awake but not up and about ready to explore. If you have early season ducklings and are keeping them in a cooler area, a heating lamp or plate may be necessary to get the temperature to a comfortable place for them. If this is your situation, place the heat source at one end of the brooder so that there is a way for them to move away from the heat. Gradually move the heat source away from the brooder. You'll know when it's too hot for the ducklings by watching their behaviour; if they're usually at the cool end of the brooder, it's time to move the heat further away.As the ducklings age, they can tolerate cooler temperatures as a baseline. It is normal for them to explore and then come back to the heat for some rest.

Ducks love water, but they don’t need to be in or near water - it just needs to be available for drinking. Keep water available to them as much as possible, similar to free feeding. You will find that they want to be IN their drinking water bowl. To avoid this, we tend to use a bowl with a lid that has holes cut out of it. That keeps them from swimming in their drinking water.

We will provide you with a duck-specific starter feed. It should last 4-6 weeks. It is all they need to thrive, and they do a great job at regulating their food intake themselves. You can simply take a margarine container or Tupperware and fill it with feed. You can place a stone inside to reduce spillage as they may enjoy digging in the feed with their bills. ​ If you want to give them treats, that's ok! Try shredding greens into their water bowl, or roll them some frozen peas. Most fruits and veggies are ok for them, just no onion, raw potato, citrus, or avocados.

When you're inside, use the biggest plastic tote bin you can find. This will be your "brooder box". You'll want it to be at least 12 inches high. Remember that ducklings grow quickly, and you want to get a food and water bowl in there too. As the ducklings grow, you may want to increase their living area (bigger tote, dog crate, baby enclosure over a tarp, etc.) If you choose to keep them for their lifetime, you will want to explore coop ideas that have both an indoor and outdoor space. Google has lots of creative designs!

Ducklings are social creatures, and they need a friend. So we always send ducklings out in pairs at minimum.