New to Ducks

Wasn't sure where to post this but I have a lot of questions. My boyfriend conceded to me getting ducks for several reasons. First it's made a great distraction from my upcoming surgery that was causing me high anxiety, heart burn, and acid reflux. Second because I said I would stop asking for a puppy if he let me, and third was because I've wanted one since my mom told me about how my dad gave her one as a gift while they were dating. She passed away three years ago.

Don't get me wrong we both love them, but we never intended to get four. We went into a local store and there were only two tiny itty bitties left so we bought them. We already had gotten two older ones which my bf gave some interesting and not acceptable names so they are Daisy and Donald. Donlad has a huge attitude and Daisy is pretty sweet but they were much older than our newest two and we can't trust them together. Donald is a big jerk to the little guys, and he has it out for Leo, our only rouen. We wound up with three Pekin, Daisy, Donald, and Belle. We've been trying to join them but the size difference and Donald's behavior is concerning. Any hints on how to intro them together would be awesome!

Right now we have the large ones in the bath tub and the babies in a plastic tub for night and a 4' play pen for day time. We are struggling to keep up with their growth. Any ideas on how to deal with them inside until it stays warm enough for them to be out, and when we get our house, Both houses we are looking at already have space preset for them. So basically any ideas to get us by would be greatly appreciated.

Also cleaning up after them. We clean them daily both body and living space. Part of why we put the two in the tub is because we can spray it out whenever. They stay plenty warm and get two hours of swim time a day at least. They, as weird as this may seem, like being in the shower with us. They love the shower head. Is there anything that is best to use to sanitize things? I'm terrified of getting harmful chemicals on them. So far I have only used Dawn and vinegar water.

The other question I have is how do I figure an approximate age? Both are at different ages obviously but they weren't able to give us an age at the stores.

And my final question is it normal for them to want to sit on your shoulder all the time? And nuzzle against your face? I try to avoid this because I know they can get me sick but I don't understand why they do it.

It took forever literaly,about a year for two of my ducklings to be accepted into the flock.Best thing to do is let attitude do his thing.Have a hour of them together.

Make sure they have feed,NOT MEDICATED.Antibiotics kills ducks,I have had my go around SEVERAL times with this.They need to wash heir nostrils out,so provide them a little water bold they cans tick their heads in.Also keep things clean.If I were you I would use large wood shavings (Just make sure the babies don't try eating them and realize it's not food.Give them Probiotics in the water.

Also,I have never heard of anyone getting sick from a duck,accept the bird flu (But that strain is cured.)
Oh yeah and i believe you can catch salmonella,just keep your hands washed.

The whole perching and snuggling means they have imprinted on you,they love you.

Could I see a pic of them?Are they growing little inywings with itty bitty feathers on them.

The two above are Leo( Jasmine) and Belle( Jackson). We aren't sure on their genders so I picked out both in case. They aren't easy to photograph because they always jump and move closer when I come over to their box.


The two above are Donald and Daisy. We are pretty sure one is male and the other is female. My boyfriend named them Stretch and $***less but I don't really think those are permanent other than as nicknames. He named them based on pooping habits... Anyway they where about the size of Leo and Belle when we got them. They are much more standoffish towards us and we plan on them being outside.

This is what I feed them. I grew up in St. Louis and Purina has always been trustworthy to me and my family but we never buy the low end food with all the dyes.

We also have two dogs and a cat. The cat is terrified of the older ones but very interested in the younger. I can get the younger one's attention by saying peep over and over again and the chirp when I go out of sight for them. Peep noises are the only thing that calms them down.They are going to a Easter thing today at a park. It's a small group and they will have a big pen in the grass to run in.

Oh,I though donald and Daisy were adults.They look about a month and half old some where around there.The first two look about 2 or so weeks old.

Go to youtube and learn how to sex ducklings,I am no expert.

We aren't entirely worried about the sex. I looked up how to do it but I'm worried about hurting them. Our little two are amazing that's for sure!

Some other questions. Just bathe them in water or is there a soap? Also do Rouen's normally make an almost songbird call? And swim time, how much is too much?

just sit them in a some water deep enough they can swim in,and they'll bath them selves.

When they are babies most ducks make sounds like that

Okay. I was just curious since the Pekins don't make that sound.