This is an information sheet intended to be used when ducklings go home with volunteers for over-night or weekend care. Heather Lantz from Glenbow School in Cochrane came up with the idea and has been kind enough to let me include it in my duck kit. It includes a few suggestions, a list of materials to send home with the ducklings on their sleep-overs, and a list of suggestions for the “duck-sitter” volunteers. I would recommend that you make copies of the latter to send home with each volunteer.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE WELL INFORMED AND PREPARED TO TAKE CARE OF THE DUCKLINGS PROPERLY.

1. Make a chart to keep track of where ducklings are going for sleep-overs.
2. Send home enough food to last the night/weekend rather than the entire bag of food.

You are likely to have less waste this way, as many parents overestimate the amount of food needed, and often discard 'extras'.

Your duckling package includes the following:

1. BROODER
2. LAMP (60 watt bulb)
3. BEDDING (straw or wood shavings - no cedar)
4. Duckling Food & Food Bowl
5. Water Bowl
6. `Treat' Food Bowl

1. Please keep ducklings separate from any and all house pets.
2. Please change the straw/newspaper in the brooder AT LEAST once a day (preferably twice).
3. Please make sure there is adequate water in their bowl at all times.
4. Please have the lamp on at all times (over one corner so the babies may move under OR away from the heat as they choose).
5. The ducklings love to swim in the bathtub. However, they have not fully developed their oil gland and preening techniques yet. As a result, they MUST NOT be left alone to swim for an extended period of time (10 - 15 minutes is probably plenty). Make sure the water is not too cold and when they are done, place them back in the brooder so they may warm up and dry under the lamp.
6. The ducklings would love to go outside, provided the weather is suitable and they will be carefully supervised at all times.
7. They love to eat any greens (carrot tops, lettuce, spinach, grass, etc.). The food must be broken up into small bit-sized pieces since they have no teeth for biting or chewing. Food MUST be free of pesticides and herbicides (including the grass), and they must have water available at all times while they are eating. They also like bread crumbs and spaghetti noodles. Be cautious about feeding them too much dry bread as it will swell in their bellies and may cause problems.
8. Please have your child write about the ducklings' visit, including such things as a favorite activity they did together, something funny that happened, something new they observed, or something new they learned, etc. (The teacher may provide a book for this or it may be written on a separate piece of paper).
9. HAVE FUN!!!
10. If you have any questions or problems, or require additional food, bedding or help, please don't hesitate to call.