Congratulations, Precious Fritz, on being POTD at such a young age! You are absolutely darling, Heaven-sent and bursting with life and personality! We hope your new human family is researching how to care for you and keep you warm, safe from predators and healthy. Sending prayers and all best wishes for a long, happy, healthy, fun, safe life, Sweetie! XOXO http://www.guineapigsrfun.net

"Ducks are highly intelligent and emotional creatures. They can understand commands, play with toys, play games, give kisses, and beg for snuggles like other birds if you take the time to work with them. If handled frequently and gently from an early age, ducks will become quite sociable with people. It may take some getting used to, but eventually you will figure out what types of activities your duck enjoys. The more you interact with your duck, the quicker you will bond with one another.

Ducklings must be kept warm and dry for the first three to four weeks. Put a box or cage in a warm place (about 80-85oF, or 30oC), or supply heat with a light bulb. They must be allowed to move into or out of the heat as they choose, so place the lamp in a corner of the cage instead of in the center.

DO NOT leave them with water they can climb into when unsupervised as they could become chilled and possibly drown.

Waterfowl should be fed unmedicated feed always. For the first two weeks the ducklings should be fed duck starter, which is a special ration for young birds. For weeks 3-7 they should be fed duck grower which is optimal for growth and development. From then on you can feed pullet grower, which is a lower protein, unmedicated chicken feed.

The birds should also have access to GRIT. This is simply ground up stone which they must have to help grind up food in their gizzards (they have no teeth and cannot chew). A bag of #2 grit will last a very, very long time.

If you are considering a duck as a pet, please do your homework and ensure it is the right choice for you. Ducks can live a long time and deserve a happy, healthy home for the duration. As with all pets, remember to contact your veterinarian when you have questions and to schedule checkups on a regular basis to keep your pet healthy and happy."