Ducklings are adorable, fluffy balls of energy that love to play. If you’ve ever watched a group of ducklings paddling after their mother, you may have wondered – what do ducklings like to play with? Read on as we dive into the perfect toys and activities to keep your ducklings happy and entertained.
Safe Items for Ducklings to Play With
Plush Toys
Soft and cuddly plush toys make excellent playthings for ducklings. They enjoy nuzzling and cuddling up to soft surfaces. Be sure any plush toy is designed for baby animals, with no small, removable parts that could pose a choking hazard.
Some good plush options are baby blankets or soft animal shapes like little chicks or ducklings.
Ping Pong Balls
Ping pong balls float and roll in fun ways that fascinate curious little ducklings. They will chase the balls around and gently peck at them. The smooth plastic is easy to sanitize as well. Just be sure to remove the balls before the ducklings fall asleep so they don’t accidentally choke on them.
Children’s Bath Toys
Many colorful plastic bath toys designed for human babies work great for ducklings too. Choose larger items without holes or inner chambers where water could get trapped and breed bacteria. Good options are stacking cups, balls that squirt water, and floating animals or boats.
Be sure to clean regularly.
Sticks and Leaves
Natural playthings that mimic the types of items ducklings would discover outdoors can capture their instinct to forage and play. Offer gathered sticks, leaves, feathers, pine cones and clean pebbles for them to pick up, shake and toss around.
Supervise play to be sure they don’t try to eat non-edible items that could cause choking or crop impaction.
Setting Up an Engaging Duckling Play Area
Include a Small Pond or Tub for Swimming
Ducklings love to swim and splash in water from an early age. Provide them with a small children’s pool or plastic tub filled with just a few inches of water so they can paddle and dip their heads underwater. Supervise closely, as very young ducklings may not be able to get out of a deep tub.
Change the water daily to keep it clean. As the ducklings get older and stronger, you can introduce them to a larger pond in the enclosure.
Add Hiding Places and Tunnels
In addition to open spaces, ducklings need private nooks where they can rest and feel safe. Use overturned buckets, flower pots, cardboard boxes or anything that creates covered spaces. Cut holes in the sides for easy access. Place soft bedding like straw or fleece blankets inside for comfort.
You can also create hiding spots using long cardboard tubes or PVC pipes. Spruce these up by cutting doorways or windows in the sides.
Scatter Food Items Around the Enclosure
For mental stimulation and exercise, distribute treats like chopped veggies, bird seed and dried mealworms around the ducklings’ living space instead of only feeding them in bowls. This encourages foraging behavior and exploration. It’s also fun to watch them discover the hidden morsels.
Just make sure edible enrichment items are bite sized to prevent choking.
Provide Plenty of Nesting Materials
Female ducks have a strong instinct to gather nesting materials like grasses, leaves and feathers and arrange them into a cozy nest. Cater to this natural behavior in ducklings by supplying piles of straw, soft hay, pet-safe raffia, fleece strips or other fibers they can burrow and nest in.
These materials will also keep duckling play spaces clean by soaking up messes.
Active Games to Play with Ducklings
Ducklings have an abundance of energy and curiosity, making active games a great way to keep them entertained and engaged. Here are some fun active games to try with your ducklings:
Follow the Leader
This classic game is perfect for ducklings! Have one person be the “leader” and move around the yard or enclosure, doing silly things like jumping, spinning, walking backwards, etc. The ducklings will waddle after the leader, mimicking their movements.
This is a great way to bond with the ducklings and get their little legs moving.
Fetch
Believe it or not, you can play fetch with ducklings! Use a small rubber ball or toy and roll/throw it a short distance, encouraging the ducklings to run after and return it. This satisfies their natural urge to chase. You can even teach them to fetch the ball back to you.
Just be sure the ball is too big to swallow.
Herding Games
Ducklings have an instinct to stay together as a flock. Use this to your advantage with fun herding games. Guide them with your hands or a leg along a path, around obstacles, through tunnels, etc. Reward good following with treats. This is mentally stimulating and great exercise.
Agility Courses
Set up a mini obstacle course for your ducklings with things like open boxes to hop in and out of, tunnels to run through, low platforms to jump on, and poles to weave between. Supervise them as they navigate the course, offering treats upon completion. Vary the layout to keep it interesting.
Ducklings love showing off their developing skills!
Active play is vital for ducklings’ development, health and happiness. With imagination and supervision, the possibilities for duckling games are endless! Let their curiosity and your creativity guide you. Just be sure to provide ample rest periods too, as growing ducklings tire quickly.
Most of all, relax and enjoy your flock’s antics!
Conclusion
In summary, ducklings are playful and inquisitive by nature. By providing them with safe, stimulating toys and setting up a well-designed play space, you can keep them happily occupied for hours. Simple games like fetching ping pong balls or having them follow you on a walk are fun ways to actively engage with ducklings.
Given the right environment and attention, raising happy ducks is sure to bring you much joy!
