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Dont give your ducklings cold water to drink!

post #1 of 16
4/11/12 at 11:50am
Thread Starter 

Why? Because it is a huge shock to their warm running little bodies. I dont see it mentioned much if ever but I promise this  has been one of the main mystery deaths of many a baby duckling. I have discussed this with lots of other waterfowl raisers and you will get little or no argument or debate on this issue. With breeding season in full swing for most of us this is something you should always keep in the back of your mind. I  put out 5 gallon buckets of water so its lukewarm at least to get my drinking water for the ducklings instead of cold water coming directly from the tap. Dont know how my northern neighbors handle all their cold problems. My hats off to Yall! LOL! After they get about 2-3 weeks old it doesnt seem to be a problem. Hope this helps all yall and everyone has great success with their little quackers   Shawn

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, one siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, one siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #2 of 16
4/11/12 at 12:05pm

Who heats up the water for wild ducklings?

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post #3 of 16
4/11/12 at 12:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by billw View Post

Who heats up the water for wild ducklings?



The SUN!! 

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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post #4 of 16
4/11/12 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 

goodpost.gif Theres one in every crowd! LOL! Edited to say But in fairness billw  all my wild ducks seem to be way more resilent to this problem. This was mainly for domestics which is what most people in the duck section have. smile.png


Edited by destinduck - 4/11/12 at 12:19pm

Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, one siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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Quack Addict  80 exotic and migratory ducks, ornamental pheasants, one siamese, white and black labs , and a very understanding wife for 25 years   NPIP certified                                                                                                                                 I Ducks

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post #5 of 16
4/11/12 at 12:22pm

We just received our little duckies from Metzer's and they do say to put the water in the heated brooder a day ahead so that it is warm...We were waiting for our poult pak vitamins which came with the ducklings so we used warmish water from the tap.  They took to their water like, well, ducks to water!

One very understanding husband, two wonderful daughters, 1 Chocolate Lab (Olie Bear), 2 cats (KC & Charlie) a flock of 34 chickens (and counting  ) and 5 ducks.

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One very understanding husband, two wonderful daughters, 1 Chocolate Lab (Olie Bear), 2 cats (KC & Charlie) a flock of 34 chickens (and counting  ) and 5 ducks.

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post #6 of 16
4/11/12 at 1:32pm

I did not know this. I've never heated the water up for my ducklings. I've never had any mystery deaths either though.... Sounds like they should be fine now though, my newest ducklings are 2 weeks old.

I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner with her three ducklings.

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I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner with her three ducklings.

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post #7 of 16
4/11/12 at 1:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Lydia View Post

The SUN!! 


Hmm.  I'm not sure we have this "SUN" you speak of out here in Washington.  You say it heats water?

 

 

In all seriousness, I never would have thought of this.  The ducklings seem to do OK outside here and the water is pretty chilly.  I gave the ones we raised by hand cold water from the tap and they did fine.  But, I'll warm it up next time - at the very least, it can't hurt.

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post #8 of 16
4/11/12 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by billw View Post

Quote:


Hmm.  I'm not sure we have this "SUN" you speak of out here in Washington.  You say it heats water?

 

 

In all seriousness, I never would have thought of this.  The ducklings seem to do OK outside here and the water is pretty chilly.  I gave the ones we raised by hand cold water from the tap and they did fine.  But, I'll warm it up next time - at the very least, it can't hurt.


Well it does somewhat when it comes out. LOL 

 

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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post #9 of 16
4/11/12 at 4:52pm

Hmm interesting. Honestly, I don't recall what I did last year lol Right now the water in the barn is a heated bucket because we still dip below freezing overnight.

~ Firefly Farms home to

 

Ducks-                                                   Chickens-

Muscovy, Calls & Buff orpington          Ameraucana, Silkies

 

As well as Miniature horses, lionhead rabbits, fish, dogs, cats, plus parrots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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~ Firefly Farms home to

 

Ducks-                                                   Chickens-

Muscovy, Calls & Buff orpington          Ameraucana, Silkies

 

As well as Miniature horses, lionhead rabbits, fish, dogs, cats, plus parrots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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post #10 of 16
4/11/12 at 5:20pm

Interesting info. I have been filling my water containers with cold tap water or hose water since day one, so far no issues. I also have a kiddie pool in the run and the last few days there has been ice on top and as soon as I open the coop they all run for the pool and drink from it while I'm filling the water containers. My ducklings are 5 weeks old, 4 weeks old, and 2 weeks old. They are Pekin and Mallards. Oh and I'm in Wisconsin.

 

 

 

                                             

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