How to Save an Unhatched Duck and Raise a Duckling

Sometimes the mother duck will leave the nest with the ducklings that are hatched, and leave behind any unhatched eggs.

If you find an unhatched duck, an egg that you can see has cracked you can save the unhatched duck. You must be very gentle, because the duckling is pecking to break the shell and free itself. Sometimes it is too hard for the duckling, and if it is not helped it will die.

Put on a pair of soft gloves, and very gently peel away the outer shell of the egg where ever it is cracked. This helps the duckling peck its way through the more softer inner part of the egg. Do not rush the process, the duckling is sticky and the shell may be sticking to it. Once the unhatched duck has broken through the shell and you can see the head, you can help remove the rest of the shell until the baby duck is free. You can find handy hints here for raising ducklings.

Once hatched ducklings need to be kept warm. Normally, the baby ducklings huddle together and the mother keeps them warm. A shoe box is small enough to keep the duckling in for the first 24 hours, get a very soft towel, cotton is good, lay it on the bottom of the shoe box. Place the shoe box under a lamp, with a 40 to 100 watt light bulb. Watch how the duckling responds to make sure it is warm enough, but not too hot.

By the second day the duckling will open its eyes, and begin to move around a bit. Remember it is not with the mother and other ducklings, or in its natural environment. The fur will look sticky and wet, but that is okay. When the baby duckling begins to try and stand it will fall easily, not to worry this is also normal. Just keep a close eye on it and keep it warm.

Day three things will begin changing, the duckling should be standing, both eyes should be opened, and it should be taking wobbly steps. At this point you can introduce it to a little water, start with a shallow dish, a plastic container lid works fine. Use the tips of your finger to splash the water gently, the duckling should take interest, hold your wet fingertips near its beak so it can explore. As it starts pecking move your fingers back to the water the duckling should follow and dip its beak in for a taste. Once it realizes that the water is there it should begin drinking the water a little at a time.

Next, you want to introduce the unhatched duck you saved to food. Boiled eggs are a good start, but do not worry about the egg whites yet, focus on the egg yolks. Smash a little on your fingers and hold your hand out in front of the duck's beak, it should peck at the egg yolk, and it will shake it's head back and forth quite a bit while trying to take in the food. As it begins to eat you can use another small plastic container top to put some egg yolk on, make sure it is crumbled into very small bits, use your fingertips again to lead your baby duckling to its food.

You can move your duckling to a bigger space. A cardboard box is fine, and a plastic laundry basket works great too because it has the slots in the sides.

Use an aluminum pie plate for the water with several small rocks in it; this gives it easier access, and helps it balance. Put just enough water for the duckling to get its beak wet. Baby ducks need to clear their sinuses.

Never give a baby duck bread because bread will swell and can choke a duckling.

For the first three or four days using cotton towels for bedding is good, but by the fourth day you can start using hay for the bedding.

Soft fruits and vegetables are good for baby ducks. Make sure they are cut up very small. Keep a supply of food and fresh water available, and a small stuffed animal is great company.

Let your duckling walk around outside in the grass or inside on a carpet; never put a duckling on a tile floor or smooth surface it is bad for their legs.

Learn more about raising baby ducks.

Get information about duck diapers.