Just ordered 4 ducklings

Just placed my order for 4 babies.. I am beyond excited. They will be here Thursday. What should I get now to be ready for there arrival. I live in Boston so temps at night are still cold and day time temps are finally in the 60's and 70's. Any input would be much appreciated

How exciting!! What breed are they?

Make sure to set up the brooder, and make sure you have a heat lamp. I use a 250 watt bulb, and make sure you have a thermometer so you know what temp the brooder is. Ducklings need about 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Make the brooder big enough that you can have a warm side and a cool side. set up the brooder and turn the heat lamp on a day or two before the babies come. Also, make sure you always have an extra heat bulb and extra lamp. I have learned the hard way when i lost 6 duckling to cold when i couldn't get to the store and the lamp blew out. If possible, it is a good idea to have two lamps over the heated side so if one goes out during the night, they won't die. Also, i would brood the in your house, not in the coop. You will be able to watch over the better, and won't have as much chance of losing them.

What should I use as a brooder? And what brand/food should I buy. How about bedding for them? So sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure they are as comfortable as they should be

batteryman17 said:

What should I use as a brooder? And what brand/food should I buy. How about bedding for them? So sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure they are as comfortable as they should be

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a brooder can be anything you have. I have used plastic tubs, old fish tanks, and homemade brooders. If you are building it, i would do about 2 square feet per bird in the brooder, so that would be 8 square feet, or a 4x2 feet box. It will seem huge when they are young, but trust me, they will grow into it. You can do smaller, but be prepared to give them a large space. You can look up pictures of brooders for ideas.

You can use chick starter, but make sure it is NOT medicated...that could kill them. I don't know what your feed store is, but i would go there and ask about duckling food. I use pine bedding shavings, but you can also use hay, straw, ripped up newspaper, old towels, etc. I've found the shavings are the most absorbent. Don't just lay down paper, and don't house them on slick surfaces or they can get a problem called spadled legged. It is where their legs bend out and they won't be able to walk right.

Ask as many as you need too!! Its good to know what to do before you get the little guys

I don't have anything close by that's sells anything for ducklings so I will need to purchase food watering containers ext online. What website would you recommend

First of all ducklings are much hardier than chicks. It is plenty warm here for them, especially this week. My first came early last March and I had them outside with me when it was in the 40s and they were fine. You do not need a 250 watt bulb. They will overheat with that this week.

Next, you do not need any special supplies. I used a rubbermaid tub with a typical small plastic waterer. They will make a mess out of any water so be prepared. For bedding I just used newpaper. I had to change it frequently so free was best.

An all flock feed (Nutrena All Flock or Purina Flock Raiser) will be fine for feed. Are you north, south or west of Boston?

10 minutes south of boston

batteryman17 said:

10 minutes south of boston

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Figures, I know plenty of feed and supply stores north and west, but I never have a reason to go south. You don't need anything fancy for feeders and waterers though. For a swimming pool I've used kiddie pools during the summer and concrete mixing tubs in the winter. The mixing tubs can handle frozen water fine.

For feed you can make a road trip. A 25 lb bag will last 4 ducks a while. There's Ventura Grain in Taunton. They make their own feed. There have to be others down that way too.

I found a place online in bridgewater. In gonna try there today.
I had brain surgery last week so unfortunately can't sit In a car for a long period of time

The place I was gonna go to is actually closed today. Where are the locations north of Boston you know of? Maybe I can find someone to drive like an old lady and take me there today