All advice for raising ducklings please

[junior67]

I have about 8 days till hatch. I am excited but nervous at the same time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have about 8 days till hatch. I am excited but nervous at the same time.

What breed/breeds? Here is about as much info as there is. Plus any questions you might have we'll be happy to answer if we can.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/ducks.30/?page=2

 

[junior67]

What breed/breeds? Here is about as much info as there is. Plus any questions you might have we'll be happy to answer if we can.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/ducks.30/?page=2

The person that I am hatching them for just told me it is a mixed flock. So no idea

 

[junior67]

My starter brooder is a storage tote that is 32" x 19" at the top so bottom is a bit less. I use a MHP that is a bit under 24x12 so not a ton of extra space besides on top of the MHP which works for chicks for a week or two till they go in my outside brooder.

I will have the ducklings for around a week or so till they head to their homes. I have 13 still going I think. So think this is going to be too small. I have another smaller tote that I was thinking of attaching to this one by cutting a "door" in each side and zip tying them together. Putting the MHP in one and other side being food, water and free space. Are they smart enough to figure that out??? And does that sound like a good plan or is there another way I should set it up?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ducklings don't seem to need the heat as much as chicks do. Mine prefer to hang out ON the plate rather than under it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use an Xlarge dog crate the solid plastic ones tie wrap top and bottom and use it as a brooder so I think your ducklings will be able to figure it out you will want to give them a few days with everything on one side then move feed and water to the other tote. They will need the space or the poop will be too much.

 

[junior67]

I use an Xlarge dog crate the solid plastic ones tie wrap top and bottom and use it as a brooder so I think your ducklings will be able to figure it out you will want to give them a few daysView attachment 3812605 with everything on one side then move feed and water to the other tote. They will need the space or the poop will be too much.

That is what I figured. I wish I could do what you do but I have cats so that doesn't work. Lol. Maybe I will pick up another bigger tote so I know they have enough room when they are put together.

 

[junior67]

Ducklings don't seem to need the heat as much as chicks do. Mine prefer to hang out ON the plate rather than under it.

That is good to know. My chicks do that after a couple days, but they do still spend quite a a bit of time under it as well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is what I figured. I wish I could do what you do but I have cats so that doesn't work. Lol. Maybe I will pick up another bigger tote so I know they have enough room when they are put together.

I use old window screens for the top and weigh them down with 2X4 cut to size. Still might not work with cats.

 

[junior67]

Anyone around to help????? I started a new thread but think some chicken eggs that look like the duck eggs got mixed in!!! I have 3 pips I noticed when I was cooling the eggs and getting ready to mist them. I had to remove the turner quickly and put everyone in lockdown but it is only day 20 close to 21. How can I tell the duck eggs from chicken eggs? Do I try to move the duck to my other incubator???? But then it leaves the one with pipped eggs open for a bit?!?!

Yikes!!!! Here is a pic of all the eggs. The red dots are ones that are pipped