How It Works
1. Reserve Your Hatch Kit
Choose your pickup or shipping date and reserve your Little Hatchers Club kit.
2. Take Your Hatch Kit Home
Set up the incubator and place the eggs inside within 48 hours.
3. Watch the Magic Happen
Over about 28 days, kids can candle the eggs, track development, and watch the ducklings hatch.
4. Meet Your Ducklings
Care for your ducklings in the brooder while they dry and grow.
5. Keep or Return Your Ducklings
Families may keep their ducklings or bring them back to Bloom & Bray Farm where kids can help release them into our flock.
Why Kids Love Little Hatchers Club
• Watching a duckling move inside the egg
• Candling the eggs to see development
• The excitement of hatch day
• Caring for the ducklings in their brooder
• Receiving their Official Little Hatcher Certificate
You’re Keeping Your Ducklings — Let’s Get Ready!
If your family decides to keep your duckling, congratulations! Raising a duckling can be a fun and rewarding experience. Ducklings grow quickly, so their needs will change over the next few weeks.
And remember — if at any time you decide ducks are not the right fit for your family, you are always welcome to bring them back to Bloom & Bray Farm, no matter their age. We are always happy to welcome them back into the flock.
Here are a few important things to know to help your duckling stay healthy and happy.
A Larger Brooder
As your duckling grows, it will need more space than the hatch box brooder. A plastic storage bin, stock tank, or larger brooder setup works well. Be sure to keep clean bedding such as pine shavings on the bottom to keep the space dry and comfortable.
Continued Heat Source
Ducklings need a heat source for the first few weeks of life. A warming plate or heat lamp should be provided until they are fully feathered, usually around 5–6 weeks old. Make sure the ducklings have room to move away from the heat if they get too warm.
Proper Feed
Ducklings should be fed waterfowl starter feed or chick starter feed that contains niacin, which is important for healthy leg development. If the feed does not contain enough niacin, brewers yeast can be added as a supplement.
Always provide fresh water alongside their feed. Ducklings need water nearby when eating so they can properly swallow their food.
Safe Water Access
Ducklings love water but should only have shallow dishes for drinking while they are very young. They should not be allowed to swim unsupervised until they are older and have developed more feathers and natural oils.
Clean Bedding
Ducklings grow quickly and can be messy. Bedding should be changed regularly to keep the brooder clean and dry.
Moving Outdoors
Ducklings can usually move outside once they are fully feathered, typically around 5–6 weeks of age, and the weather is warm enough. They will need a safe enclosure to protect them from predators and a sheltered place to sleep at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need experience hatching eggs?
No! Everything you need is included in your hatch kit, along with a step-by-step hatch guide.
Do we have to keep the ducklings?
No. Families are welcome to bring the ducklings back to Bloom & Bray Farm, located in Boyd, Texas, where children can help release them into our flock.
How often do we need to handle the eggs?
Not very often. The incubator included in your hatch kit has an automatic egg turner, so the eggs turn on their own throughout most of the incubation period. Families typically only need to handle the eggs a few times, such as when candling them to observe development and when preparing for hatch day.
How long do we keep the equipment?
The incubator and warming plate are returned 35 days after pickup or delivery.
What if the eggs don’t hatch?
Eggs are fertile, but hatch success cannot be guaranteed. If no development is visible by Day 7, you may request replacement eggs.
Is this good for classrooms or homeschool groups?
Yes! The Little Hatchers Club is a wonderful science and life cycle learning experience for families, homeschool groups, and classrooms.
What ages is Little Hatchers Club best for?
Little Hatchers Club is designed for children of all ages, but it is especially exciting for kids between ages 4–12 who enjoy animals and hands-on learning. Younger children love watching the ducklings hatch, while older kids enjoy candling the eggs and tracking development in their Hatcher’s Journal.
How much space do we need for the brooder?
The brooder setup is compact and designed to fit easily in most homes. A small table, counter space, or corner of a room works well. The ducklings only stay in the brooder for a short time before they are returned to the farm or moved to their new Local delivery available for an additional fee
