We were able to partition off a small run/yard for them outside. They will be 3 weeks old on Monday or Tuesday (unsure of which day was their hatch date). They were getting stuffy in their brooders and those Pekins are big fatties compared to the rest. I LOVE those guys. Everyone is doing great (if any of you have been following my drama- zero sneezing, some had goopy eyes that have cleared up when offering a kiddie pool of water to fully bathe in). I think using plastic totes are just not ideal for brooders for us. When their bedding gets damp (which is a zillion times a day because they are water pigs and I do 3 tub changes(removal/adding of pine shavings per bin each day) it heats up - the moisture is trapped in because ventilation is just not great in those things. That damp bedding also is like a compost and it actually gives OFF heat and when the ambient temp is 80 and they are sitting on a warm bed= extra hot.
Someone suggested holes and we will be drilling some in the bins for the next group coming this week. I will also tryout hay/straw instead of pine shavings for bedding because they seem to give me an allergy or something. Yuck!
Anyway pics right?
Their first day outside in their temporary yard:
This one is Tiny. She is TINY. The runt of the group.
So far the Pekins are my fave. (new to ducks) And they are just a big giant hot mess. They are full of spunk, personality, are huge and soooo MESSY! LOL
Edited by zooweemama - 4/22/12 at 1:29pm
Amy Beth. Zoo Mom to Cats, Dog, Lizards, Ducks, Chickens and Geese. Ducks: Pekins, FW runners, WH, Buffs, Black Runner, Golden 300s and Silver Appleyards. | Chickens: Buff Orps, French Black Copper Marans, Bantam Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, TJs Leghorns, Naked Necks and EEs. | Geese: Brown African |
Amy Beth. Zoo Mom to Cats, Dog, Lizards, Ducks, Chickens and Geese. Ducks: Pekins, FW runners, WH, Buffs, Black Runner, Golden 300s and Silver Appleyards. | Chickens: Buff Orps, French Black Copper Marans, Bantam Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, TJs Leghorns, Naked Necks and EEs. | Geese: Brown African |
