Recent content by WoodsmanA

I've got six bared rock hens alongside six rouen ducks as somewhat of a "starter flock." All the birds are going through their first winter here on my homestead. I raised them all from day olds. First winter for me with birds, too. Perhaps what I'm seeing in one of my chickens is a result of the...

Any ideas?

Bump..........

Hi All, Just moved my six Rouens outside last Monday. Even with the crummy 40 degree, rainy weather they don't seem bothered by it one bit. They're a couple days shy of being six weeks old. Started having a problem with one duck nipping at the other ducks and pulling feathers out. Did a little...

I was curious to know at what age it was appropriate to start cutting back their food and water at night. I don't plan for them to have access to food and water in their coop at night. Should I gradually bring them to that point?

Hi All, Quick question - My six Rouens will be 5 weeks old next Monday. They are getting large! I had them on starter crumbles for their first two and half weeks then gradually did the switch over to grower pellets. I fill their little trough with feed every morning and top it off again once...

Hi All, My ducks are two weeks old and one day now. All are happy and healthy. I've been feeding Dumor Chick Starter/Grower crumbles since day 1. Looking to start mixing in grower pellets this week. Decided to go with Blue Seal Home Fresh Grow & Show. It's 15% protein and I'll continue with...

Thanks a bunch Amanda. That was my next question... What are the additional signs of respiratory infection that I should be on the lookout for? They aren't panting. Not mouth breathing. I hear no wheezing. Sneezes happen every now and again both when they are at the waterer and when they are...

Thanks for the replies. It's much appreciated. Ok my little ones are running around this morning eating and drinking and making a mess with droppings (which look what Id call normal) and dunking their heads in the little bin I put in for them. Other than some sneezes nothing seems out of the...

I see and hear them blowing in the 1 gallon poultry waterer I have in there at all times. And then I give them 5 to 10 minutes of bath time in a 2" deep little Rubbermaid bin thing. I just cut a piece out of the top so they could dunk their heads in whenever they want. It's a bit deeper than the...

I'm not sure but I think my ducks are perhaps a little stuffed up? I hope they're not coming down with something. I keep their brooder bedding dry and clean. Should I be disinfecting as well? Water is always fresh and warm. Brooder temp is spot on. The only thing I think is off is they all...

Thanks for the reply, Virus. I was able to find some Solgar brand brewers yeast and Solgar Niacin 100 mg tabs on the way home after going to Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. Finally I found what I was looking for at a Vitamin Shop. I'm just going to spread a few pinches of the brewers yeast over...

There is so much conflicting information on the web about supplementing ducklings with niacin it's frustrating. And I can't find mention of how often to provide niacin no matter the form that it is administered to the ducklings. I bought a pack of BVS Poult Start from Metzer farms thinking...

Quick question... My ducklings are all acting normally but when it's time to sleep they all huddle together as far away from the heat lamp as possible. In their new brooder under the lamp the temp is 90 degrees. Four feet away, on the other side (the cool side), it's 74 degrees. The ducks...

Thanks much for your thoughts and advice, Orca!