Runner ducks Needs!???

I would like to get a few Runner Duck girlies.. my grain store will be getting some in around the 5th of May!

What kind of housing do they need?
What is the spacing per bird, inside AND out for ducks?
How many ducks makes a friendly bevy? 2-3??
What kind of brooder needs to be set up?
What do they eat to start with and then after?
Do I give them water to paddle around in? When?

I want to put them Separate from my chickens.. in my veggie garden.. Opposite the chickens!

Any other useful info or place to read and gather info anyone could point me to?

Many Thanks!

If you go to the care and health pages on this link- you will find an abundance of information on the care health and housing of ducks.

http://www.liveducks.com/

Quote:
great link!

Then there is Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. I like that, I have also used the link duckyfromoz gave you.

I have eleven almost-nine week old runner duck(lings?). They are wonderful!

One overarching theme I have had the last two months is, that the solution for today will probably need to change within a few days.

They grow very quickly, and mine went through a compressed adolescence in which they suddenly became totally phobic of being cornered - to the point of screaming and stampeding. Not healthy.

At first, I made sure they had lukewarm water, and I had a one quart chick waterer. I used a six inch diameter chick feeder, then two, the first week or two. Ramped up to two quart waterers then. I sprinkled chick grit (just a teaspoon the first week) into their crumbles, which were waterfowl crumbles. 26% protein (too high for my preference and per Storey's Guide), so I cut it with one part rolled oats (not instant) per five parts crumbles.

At two weeks, we went to grower rations, still high protein, still added oatmeal (lower protein, higher fiber). And still sprinkling a tad of grit. At about ten days, started giving them salad - very finely chopped greens (no spinach): dandelion, cress, red lettuce.

At two days, let them swim in a cake pan in 90 degree F water, dried them off if they didn't preen.

Big challenge - their splashiness and drippiness. The wetness was dropping the brooder temperature by 10 degrees. Yow. Used a two piece broiler pan, then large salad bowl with an upside down, perforated plastic tub for a splash catcher - cut the water problem by about 80%, I would say.

Changed the bedding three to five times a day. Now down to three times, with (after a full six weeks), no water or food overnight for 7 or 8 hours. Using towels for bedding. Shavings not good for us because at first, they ate them. Yes, ate them. A few weeks later, they just mouthed them. Then I discovered I am allergic to pine shavings. Switched to hardwood, which coated the brooder and the room in dust, made the ducklings and me cough and sneeze. Back to towels until they are out of doors.

Kept them at 90 degrees F the first week, dropping 5 degrees a week after that, more or less, always watching their behavior for clues. They could always get away from the warm spot.

Their shelter is double-walled plywood insulated with perlite & vermiculite, with a transparent corrugated roof for natural light.

But they are still in the very very expanded brooder indoors due to the outside being too cold at night, and with the weather staying cool and other responsibilities, I am not quite done yet. I just got the electric fence charger yesterday.

There is so much information here! Not everything works for everybody, so try what feels right to you.

I try not to make any changes unless I have at least 20 minutes to watch and see what happens afterward.

I gave them gro gel the first week, and occasionally give them vitamins and electrolytes when they have had a big day.

I will send this on, now.